The Asylum building is one of several large projects manufactured by Intension this year and demonstrates the wide variety of work that we can undertake, using as it does high frequency welded PVDF coated PVC on the central section and more traditionally sewn acrylic fabric on the outer dome sections.

Intensions were delighted to be involved with this project right from the start as we saw that it had exactly the right balance of interest and technical challenges that would suit our collective skills.

The Asylum has been billed as "the best tent in the world". As designed by the Dome Company for Cornwall's Kneehigh Theatre Company, it takes the touring performance space – the nomadic venue- to spectacular new heights. The 1200 SqM Asylum, 12M high, consists of two geodesic domes bridged by a cathedral-like fabric atrium with a soaring, vaulted roof supported by a geometry of leaning arches. With two or even three stages and seating for 1000 people – the back stage area alone is large enough to accommodate an articulated truck - this is mobile architecture on a grand scale.


The Asylum was only one of a number of interesting projects we fabricated to our customers’ requirements during the current year. Others have included Gateshead Athletic Stadium Pavilion and entrance canopies for Manchester City Football Club both for Fabric Architecture, and walkways and school canopies in PTFE for Aura Custom Solutions. Intension also has the capability to run its own projects from design through to installation such as the fabric design and manufacture for Henley Regatta Control Barge. Other applications have included stairwell netting for Bermondsey Academy and a system of cool air baffles for air conditioning units.

Intension has earned a reputation for innovation and flexibility and has a proven record of working in a wide variety of fields with a wide range of materials. Our capacity will be further increased by our forthcoming move to a new and larger factory and we will be looking forward to new challenges as they appear.