In early 2014 RHI was tasked to design and install a custom stretch tent for a 150 square meter, octagon-shaped floating jetty at boutique hotel and restaurant, Au de Hex. Situated in Wellington – the heart of the Cape winelands – we were excited at the prospect of taking on another project at this beautiful venue.
Our challenge
Au de Hex was looking to attach a stretch tent to their restaurant, Au’ de Vine, which would allow them to accommodate bigger groups of people for the various functions that they host on a regular basis. This required the design and manufacture of a 370 square meter tent, seating about 180 people.
The RHI Recipe
- Simplicity. The tent had to be designed in a way that made it easy enough for the staff to set up and take down on a regular basis.
- Versatility. The tent had to have the option to be set up with the sides open or closed, depending on the fickle Cape Town weather.
- Practicality. The tent had to cover two large pergola structures with grape vines growing on them. The idea here was to include the grape vines inside the tent when it was set up – serving as part of the decoration for the venue. (Read our guide to stretch tent décor)
- Functionality. Finally, the tent also had to cover 30 meters of a water canal (which feeds water into the farm dam) when it was set up with the sides open and closed.
How we did it
The structure was designed with two tents that link together with our guttering system. We aimed to give Au de Hex the option of a large and a small stretch tent, depending on the size of the event. Two smaller tents instead of one big tent also simplifies setup and takedown of the structure.
Manufactured to spec
After the membrane was manufactured, the tent fitted perfectly and was installed for its first function.
As a well known wedding venue, Au de Hex can now offer its clients an even better experience: think pre-drinks under the shade of the floating jetty tent, followed by the reception in the new function tent only a few steps away. No-one wants to sit in a stuffy restaurant, when you can rather feel the country breeze on your skin and marvel at the breathtaking winelands views from under a shaded tent.
This just serves to show that not only are stretch tents beautiful structures that inject life and ambiance into an event, they are also highly functional and versatile and can be employed in almost any space.
Thanks to Au de Hex for putting their trust in us for the design, manufacture and installation of their fabulous new stretch tent.
If you have seen one of our installations or if you are interested in learning more about how RHI Stretch Tents can transform outdoor events and indoor spaces, our team of expert consultants would love to hear from you.