Issue 58

FUNCTION VENUES
Tipi Build
Hayley Harthern explains the process of building and
breaking a tipi structure
TODAY, LARGE event tipis are a soughtafter
option for those seeking a unique and
captivating atmosphere for their outdoor
events, blending tradition with modern
event design. One of the benefits of giant
event tipis is that they can be interlinked
to create a formation for many hundreds
of guests and adapted to suit a venue’s
requirements. The other main benefit is that
they can be built and disassembled quickly
and easily.
The sides of a tipi can be lifted and
lowered, depending on the weather, and at
The Tipi Company we have also designed
a range of enhancement kits that can be
fitted into the open side of tipi, where giant
windows can be rolled up or down quickly
and easily without altering the structure –
perfect for weekend events.
For venues who wish to use their tipis as
a temporary “pop-up” structure to create
extra capacity or space for a weekend event,
we would recommend either a Midi Hat or a
Big Hat. The beauty of both these structures
is that all or part of their sides can be lifted
like a witch’s hat, so it can create a fantastic
space for outside dining, as a dancefloor,
entertainment area or chillout zone. Should
the weather be forecasted “British”, we
would recommend closing all the sides
down to create a cosy retreat for guests.
For a Big or Midi Hat, along with lifter
beam sets, you would be looking at a
£11,000-£13,000 investment. This in turn
can be rented onto your end customer for a
£1,000-£2,000 additional fee per weekend
event.
“FOR VENUES WHO WISH
TO USE THEIR TIPIS AS
A TEMPORARY “POP-UP”
STRUCTURE TO CREATE
EXTRA CAPACITY OR SPACE
FOR A WEEKEND EVENT,
WE WOULD RECOMMEND
EITHER A MIDI HAT OR A BIG
HAT”
PARTS OF A TIPI
Giant event tipis are characterised by
their conical shape, spacious interiors and
durable construction. They are typically
made from a high-quality weatherresistant
canvas. We use a canvas called
Coated Campshield. It’s flame-retardant,
waterproof, UV resistant, rot-resistant and
much more, making it ideal for outdoor use.
The mudwall is the contrasting-coloured
trim around the bottom of the canvas, and
for this we use a military-graded fabric,
that is incredibly strong and durable, in
addition to being tear-resistant, making it
ideal for tensioning tipis in adverse weather
conditions. Along this mudwall are stainless
steel D-rings, which act as the anchor points
for the canvas, using hookpegs to secure it
into the ground.
Our framework is made from the
strongest wood we could source – northern
Scandinavian spruce which is slow-grown
in freezing temperatures. Nine main poles
are affixed together using a central crown at
the top, horizontal purlin beams part-way
up, and 750mm round anchor stakes driven
through holes at the base of the poles to
secure the framework into the ground.
A smoke hood is the final design piece
located at the top of the tipi. The opening of
this feature provides natural ventilation for
24 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM