SPECIALISTS IN TENSILEFABRIC STRUCTURES, SAILS,TERRACE AWNINGS & CANOPIES.

OUR STORY

W.G. Lucas & Son Ltd - Lucas Sails was founded in 1884 as a Sailmaker, Rigger and Cover Manufacturer to the elegant yachts and commercial sailing ships of the period.

GeneraGenerations later, the family run business maintains its reputation for superb sailmaking quality and craftsmanship having equipped virtually every type and size of vessel - from trading square-riggers and luxury private yachts to high performance cruising and racing yachts of today.

After so many years of this specialist work we began to realise what a huge wealth of experience we had accumulated in both the use of woven and laminated materials, and the assembly of tensioned rigging systems.

FinaFinally, some 20 years ago, or so, we decided to diversify and move part of our business into the exciting world of Tensioned Architectural Fabric Structures and Fabric Engineering.

Our work in this field first came to prominence with the British Expo in Seville. Since then we have completed a variety of projects in the UK and Europe.

WWe have designed and manufactured custom built awnings, sun screening, innovative fabric ceilings, tailor-made marquees, unique exhibition stands, architectural sculptures and, of course, highest quality sails, both for practical and for display purposes.

TENSIONED FABRIC STRUCTURES

Our Awnings are, by broad definition, 'Sails' which are stretched between masts and fixed points attached to the loading wall of the building. These sail canopies are popular within the grounds of listed buildings, as they offer shading without compromising the beauty of the building.

ItIt is necessary to tension the sail, either by moving the mast head with rigging or by using tension devices such as rigging screws to make sure the sail will not flap and also to impart a third dimension to aid drainage and stability.

Larger canopies typically have stainless steel structural masts which support painted steel booms which are curved to import shape into the sail above. Steel spreaders or purlins may be required to give a strong horizontal framework.

MostMost of our terrace awnings are made in a flame retardant, waterproof acrylic canvas sailcloth which is durable and holds its shape under tension. These canopies are engineered to withstand all weather conditions and can be used most of the year. Care must be taken during the worst winter months when it is usual to remove the canopy to avoid snow loading problems. They have often been used as walkway coverings by schools and offices.

The flexibility of our design studio enables us to produce free standing structures of significant size and strength.

On a smaller scale they are available for private customers for the garden or outdoor terrace to provide shading and a significant garden feature.

RECENT PROJECTS...

BOUNDARY STREET ROOFTOP SAIL AWNING

SHOREDICTH

Client: Prescott + Conran

BOUNDARY STREET RESTAURANT & PRIVATE MEMBERS CLUB, SHOREDITCHClients: Prescott + Conran

This venture by The Conran Group and Peter Prescott created one of the finest boutique hotels in London.The roof terrace was designated a smoking area with particularly fine cigars.

WWooden masts were specified from Benchmark and the sails were tensioned by control lines running through sheaves at the outer edge of the boom and back to the security of the roof pad. The terrace is 5 storeys up.

This was meant as a temporary solution and has since been replaced by a permanent glased rooftop.

COQ D’ARGENTRESTAURANT ROOFTOP TERRACE SAILAWNING

Client: D & D London

LE TALBOOTHHOTEL | RESTAURANT TERRACE SAIL AWNING

Client: Milsom Hotel Group

LE TALBOOTH, RIVER STOURClients: Milsom Hotels & Resturants Group

The owners of the Milsom Hotels & Restaurants Group wanted to cover their dining terrace which enjoys a wonderful setting overlooking the river. The success of the sail structure at Milsoms encouraged Paul and Geraldine Milsom to consider another awning at their prestigious riverside restaurant on the banks of the Stour. The contraints were that it could not attach to the listed building and had to be invisible from the nearby bridge.

ByBy using curved painted steel booms supported by 8 stainless steel masts we created a simple but elegant sail canopy which can be easily removed during the winter. The structure is freestanding with an integral gutter.

The "Holiday" fabric is tensioned by 12mm 1/19 wires and rigging screws.

KESGRAVE HALL HOTELTERRACE TENSIONED CANOPY

Client: Milsoms Hotel Group

KESGRAVE HALL, DEDHAM, ESSEXClients: Milsom Hotels & Resturants Group

Part of the Milsom Hotels & Restuarants Group, along with Le Talbooth and Milsoms Hotel.

Milsom'sMilsom's Kesgrave Hall is a luxury boutique hotel. Here the requirement was to create a large free standing sail canopy to cover the terrace. The area to be covered is large - about 200sqM and a substantial frame with 150mm stainless masts and painted booms supporting the sail canopy. Tension is achieved by 10mm mini rigging screws at each outhall, 20 in all.

MILSOM HOTELTERRACE SAIL AWNING

Client: Milsoms Hotel Group

MILSOMS HOTEL & CONTEMPORARY BAR/BRASSERIE RESTURANT, DEDHAM, ESSEXClients: Milsom Hotels & Resturants Group

This was the first of the sail canopies we were invited to design for the Milsom Hotel and Restaurant Group.

HeHere is it possible to attach the sail to the building with 5 custom wall brackets. The sail is tensioned out to 4 masts with stainless steel rigging and bottle screws. It stays up all year round and is only removed for 1 week a year for cleaning and refurbishment. Additional side screens with transparent "windows" gives extra protection in winter months.

Wall brackets: Custom made galvanised steel. Masts CHS 100mm ss. Rigging 12mm 1/19ss + bottle screws. Fabric Holiday FR.

PONTLANDS PARK HOTELTERRACE SAIL CANOPY

Client: Heritage Leisure Group

PONTLANDS PARK HOTEL, CHELMSFORDClients: Heritage Leisure Group

This attractive hotel erects a marquee in the gardens during the summer months for the wedding season. The requirement was to provide an ante room for the guest to socialise before the formal entertainment.

The The Victorian building was deemed to be incapable of taking the loads of the main sail and so a framework of 3 stainless steel masts and stainless booms was erected with adjustable push up struts to tension the sail. The "booms" also carry lighting and heating. Side curtains can be added later. A contoured "saddle" was provided as a link.

QVCREMOVABLE SAIL SHADING

Client: QVC

QVC HEADQUARTERS, CHISWICKClients: QVC

For their outdoor shoot QVC required an 'instant' awning that can be rapidly erected or removed for sun or rain. It was necessary to design an awning of approximately 5 x 5m with lightweight mats and simple tension devices. Here we used carbon masts (Selden) and yacht winches (Barton).

We were able to demonstrate that the sail and assembly could be deployed and removed in under 5 minutes.

The carbon masts weigh 8kg each compaThe carbon masts weigh 8kg each compared to 26kg in stainless steel.

GALVIN LA CHAPELLEBACK TERRACE RESTAURANT SAIL SHADE

Client: Galvin Restaurants

BENUGO BFIPATIO TERRACE SAIL SHADING

Client: Benugo

HAMBROOKS GADREN CENTRESHADED WALKWAY CANOPY

Client: Hambrooks Garden Centre

HAMBROOKS GARDEN WALKWAY SHADING, HAMPSHIREClients: Hambrooks

Our local Garden Centre carried out an extensive refurbishment and made a series of walkways with distinctive paving routes under an 'open' meandering wooden pergola with curved roof beams.

TheThe garden centre approached us to design a suitable "roof covering " to make the "pergola " a Covered Walkway for all seasons.We fitted the roof covering in FR PVC with wooden battens at the lower edges . However, all the panel sections were different so we had to 'make to size' on site and a customised lever system applied appropriate tension.

Budget was minimal and the project was carried out "hands on " in very cold weather!

HMS BELFAST UPPER DECK BARTERRACE CAFE AWNING

Client: Imperial War Museum

HMS BELFAST UPPER DECK BAR, THAMES RIVERSIDEClients: Imperial War Museum

The new entry kiosk was designed with a flat roof and provision for an open air bar with magnificent views accross the River Thames. The site was restricted and pads for the masts were designed into the lightweight structure.

TheThe wind whistles up and down the Thames from the West and East and the site is exposed. Extra struts were designed for increased stability and thus proved useful as attachment points for lighting, heating, cameras and detectors.

A simple block and tackle system means that the fabric can be tensioned to the booms protruding over the river.

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