Hypar Sails
The classic hypar (hyperbolic paraboloid) sail is the most common and probably the simplest of all tensile structures. Like all tensile structures, the art and the science, or the architecture and the engineering, are so intertwined they are inseparable. The hypar shape is achieved by raising diagonally opposite corners of a cover to create twist. This not only produces a beautiful shape, it also means the opposing tension forces keep the whole sail tight, even with large spans.
There is also science in how the structure is placed on your site, as high northern points will allow morning and winter sun in to warm the area, but summer and afternoon sun will be blocked by the low western points, providing the shade you need.
Great as individual sails or laid out in a modular grid to cover large areas, the sail is possibly the most cost effective shade option available.
