InTents October/November 2024 - 10

events | showcase
installations, " Van Gestel continues.
" These are always very specific and often
need to be custom made. "
In addition to tenting structures,
Organic-Concept installed a modular,
wooden flooring system. The crew
positioned flooring on metal bars with
an interlocking security system, in
addition to custom atmosphere lighting
that was compatible with its natureinspired
structures.
This year, Organic-Concept Tents created
a new food court area in Tokyo market
style, built of a custom Organic Flex stretch
tent in White Blockout, measuring 20 by
77 meters. The tent was attached to a
scaffolding frame mixed with trussing.
experience with modern, robust designs, "
says Anse Van Gestel, head of marketing
and creative designer for Organic-Concept.
Flexible and sturdy
Stretch tents are handmade by experienced
sailmakers, and can be attached to
all kinds of facade structures and walls to
extend a terrace or outdoor space. Part of
what makes them different from traditional
tent structures is that they have a softer
look and feel than the more classical frame
structures. " The organic shapes blend in
any type of environment and will uplift any
covered area, " Van Gestel says. " The location
is subject to different types of weather
conditions like sun, rain or wind as we are
on the beach next to the sea. The modular,
easily adaptable and connectable nature of
stretch tents allows us to expand areas in
case of bad weather or extreme heat. "
To stabilize the structures, OrganicConcept
generally digs a meter-deep
hole with an excavator to reach hard
sand, then anchors with stake plates and
stakes, or uses concrete blocks that the
crew buries under the sand. They also add
large baseplates to reinforce the center
poles and small baseplates to support
the perimeter poles, as well as add storm
ratchets on top of the stretch tents to keep
them from blowing upward.
" The main challenges were providing
the right machinery and working tools
to adapt to the custom tent structure
10 intents oct-nov 2024
Calls from Mother Nature
Weather conditions are always challenging,
both during setup and the festival itself
due to the coastal location. " There are
always last-minute modifications usually
related to the weather, " Van Gestel says.
" One of our strengths is our flexibility to
adapt to any last-minute request and get
everything in order before the festival
doors are opening. "
The setup of 6,000 square meters of
covered areas takes between seven and
eight days, with a takedown of between
three and four days. " We have a 10-year
collaboration with the client, and we
have created the explicit and unique style
of their festival over the years, in close
collaboration with the organization by
pioneering/showcasing new Organic
Tent structures, year in and year out, " Van
Gestel says. " It takes eight to 10 people for
installation, depending on the build-up of
the day and including project managers,
drivers and technicians. "
Historically, the weather conditions
for this event have ranged from extreme
heat to heavy storms, torrential rain and
flooding due to high tides-which can
cover up to half of the festival grounds. " For
the first setup of the new hip-hop stage
structure, we had to ensure everything
was built within a short window of good
weather, which was within one day, " Van
Gestel explains. " The heavy wind and rain
can make it impossible to handle these
500-meter-squared tent sails that need to
be interconnected at a height of 6 meters.
InTents October/November 2024

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