Beerze theatre shade

The Beerze Bulten vacation park, located in the picturesque Beerze, Netherlands, offers a diverse range of activities for families and visitors. To enhance its offerings, the park introduced a tensile structure to cover the outdoor theater stand, providing a sheltered space for performances and events. The structure features a membrane roof supported by elegantly curved glue laminated timber arches and steel elements, creating a visually striking and functional space. This project was commissioned and built by Polyned. Summum Engineering conducted form-finding and provided structural engineering services.

The park offers an extensive entertainment program throughout the year, with particular attention to activities for children of primary school age. Some of these activities, including animation and performances such as musicals, are held in a outdoor theatre stand. Following the renovation of this space, the owners needed a solution to protect theatregoers from the elements while preserving the connection to the natural beauty and openness of the park. The new tensile structure, characterized by its lightweight and semi-open design, meets this need by offering both shelter and an aesthetically pleasing environment. This structure ensures that events can proceed in any weather, upgrading the theater area without compromising the park’s open-air feel.

Design and Materials

The tensile structure spans approximately 360 square meters and reaches a peak height of 9 meters. The canopy is made from a durable, high-strength membrane supported by six radially arranged coated steel elements, along with curved glue laminated timber beams and tension cables. The textile’s subtle sand color emphasize the lightweight nature of the roof and helps the structure blend with its natural surroundings.

The theater stand itself is composed of tiered concrete seating with wooden bench tops, offering a durable yet comfortable experience for the audience. The seating is arranged to provide clear sightlines to the stage, ensuring an optimal viewing experience for performances. The integration of natural wood elements with the concrete steps creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that complements the park’s scenic environment.

Engineering

Summum Engineering aimed to design a structure that balanced strength and material efficiency. Using a parametric workflow, design solutions were iteratively analyzed and optimized to ensure minimal material use without compromising structural integrity. A cohesive aesthetic was achieved by using stronger materials where necessary rather than altering the dimensional properties excessively, which would affect the project’s look.

The form-finding process considered both performance and the client’s installation needs and preferences, including membrane pre-stresses, to facilitate easier installation and labor. The design and shaping of the membrane also ensured the laminated wood arches were fully protected from the elements, increasing their durability and longevity. Wind braces made of steel cables provide stability in crucial parts of the structure while being designed to not interfere with the existing adjacent building.

Conclusion

The new tensile structure at the Beerze Bulten vacation park successfully merges functionality with aesthetics, offering a durable and visually appealing space for theatre performances and events. Summum Engineering’s thoughtful approach to form-finding and structural design has enhanced the park’s facilities, ensuring an improved experience for visitors throughout the seasons. Now, whether it’s rain or shine, guests can enjoy the whimsical antics of Bultje the Rabbit, the park’s beloved mascot, and his friends, who have been delighting audiences at Beerze Bulten with their musicals and interactive shows for years.

Client
Polyned

Engineering
Summum Engineering | Alessio Vigorito, Anand Shah, Diederik Veenendaal
Van der Veen Ingenieurs Bureau | Emiel de Vries (detailing)