CHALLENGE. For over 100 years, The Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, England has been an iconic event, and since the advent of television, it has been watched by tens of millions of viewers all around the world. Almost as well-known as The Championships of course, were the many interruptions for rain, causing problems for both the competition organisers and television schedulers.
Populous’ brief was to accommodate increasing visitor levels and give players and members an improved level of facilities they expect, while maintaining the unmistakable atmosphere has required a careful balance of innovation with the retractable roof for Centre Court. The main challenge for the design team was to create a technologically unique system, whilst maintaining the feel of ‘tennis in an English garden’ for spectators and players alike.
INNOVATION. The hydraulically operated roof measures 65×75 metres and is a ‘folding fabric concertina’ with steel trusses supporting a translucent fabric skin. This skin allows natural light to reach the grass on the court, while an airflow removes condensation from within the bowl. In this way, optimum player performance and spectator comfort is maintained, while the sense of tradition that pervades the historic 1922 show court remains undisturbed. Beneath the roof, extra rows of seating, lifts and new members’ facilities enhance the experience even further.
CHALLENGE. For over 100 years, The Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, England has been an iconic event, and since the advent of television, it has been watched by tens of millions of viewers all around the world. Almost as well-known as The Championships of course, were the many interruptions for rain, causing problems for both the competition organisers and television schedulers.
Populous’ brief was to accommodate increasing visitor levels and give players and members an improved level of facilities they expect, while maintaining the unmistakable atmosphere has required a careful balance of innovation with the retractable roof for Centre Court. The main challenge for the design team was to create a technologically unique system, whilst maintaining the feel of ‘tennis in an English garden’ for spectators and players alike.
INNOVATION. The hydraulically operated roof measures 65×75 metres and is a ‘folding fabric concertina’ with steel trusses supporting a translucent fabric skin. This skin allows natural light to reach the grass on the court, while an airflow removes condensation from within the bowl. In this way, optimum player performance and spectator comfort is maintained, while the sense of tradition that pervades the historic 1922 show court remains undisturbed. Beneath the roof, extra rows of seating, lifts and new members’ facilities enhance the experience even further.
CHALLENGE. For over 100 years, The Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, England has been an iconic event, and since the advent of television, it has been watched by tens of millions of viewers all around the world. Almost as well-known as The Championships of course, were the many interruptions for rain, causing problems for both the competition organisers and television schedulers.
Populous’ brief was to accommodate increasing visitor levels and give players and members an improved level of facilities they expect, while maintaining the unmistakable atmosphere has required a careful balance of innovation with the retractable roof for Centre Court. The main challenge for the design team was to create a technologically unique system, whilst maintaining the feel of ‘tennis in an English garden’ for spectators and players alike.
INNOVATION. The hydraulically operated roof measures 65×75 metres and is a ‘folding fabric concertina’ with steel trusses supporting a translucent fabric skin. This skin allows natural light to reach the grass on the court, while an airflow removes condensation from within the bowl. In this way, optimum player performance and spectator comfort is maintained, while the sense of tradition that pervades the historic 1922 show court remains undisturbed. Beneath the roof, extra rows of seating, lifts and new members’ facilities enhance the experience even further.
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