Oran Park Hotel ETFE Skylight
Project Details
Location: Oran Park, NSW
Completion Date: August 2024
Size: 160sqm
Fabric: ETFE - AGC Fluon® (250NJ & 250NJP80N04)
Client: Versatile Fit Out
The Oran Park Hotel opened in late 2024, a brand-new entertainment oasis in the heart of Oran Park. Among the hotel’s standout spaces is a garden atrium featuring a live Boab tree at its centre. This striking design element is made possible by the multi-layer ETFE cushions that form the atrium’s skylight, allowing natural light to filter into the indoor dining area.
MakMax Australia worked with Versatile Fit Out to design, supply, and install the ETFE skylight as part of this feature space. The system comprises a MakMax TensoSky triple-layer ETFE cushion structure, secured with extruded aluminium clamps. The installation also includes condensation gutters and bird wire to protect and maintain the ETFE cushions.
The Brief
The original concept proposed a flat skylight design; however, through collaboration with Versatile Fit Out and their architect, MakMax recommended introducing a subtle fall of approximately 3%. This design refinement addressed safety-in-design concerns relating to potential water ponding should a cushion ever lose pressure during heavy rainfall. By introducing a slight gradient, the skylight maintains its clean architectural appearance while ensuring long-term performance and safety.
The Concept
A render showing the indoor garden bar concept (image from the Oran Park Hotel’s website).
The Materials
To achieve the desired near-flat aesthetic while mitigating the risk of ponding, MakMax utilised a three-layer TensoSky ETFE system.
- Top Layer: 250-micron clear ETFE foil with a standard light silver frit pattern (80% coverage)
- Middle Layer: 100-micron clear ETFE
- Bottom Layer: 250-micron clear ETFE
The skylight comprises three individual cushions, each measuring 3.6m x 15m, covering a total area of approximately 160 square metres. The cushions are pressurised via an Eluft 150 air pump housed in a nearby plant room, maintaining consistent inflation and performance.
The Result
The Oran Park Hotel ETFE Skylight transforms the hotel’s garden atrium into a light-filled focal point, providing both weather protection and a pleasant ambient environment. The air-filled ETFE cushions allow natural daylight to nourish the live Boab tree and surrounding greenery while maintaining comfortable indoor conditions for guests. The result is a welcoming and visually engaging indoor-outdoor space that enhances the overall dining experience at Oran Park Hotel.
