Mercat Central Castellón: climate comfort in a temporary tent
Mercat Central Castellón, a food market in eastern Spain, is undergoing an ambitious renovation. While the old building is torn down and rebuilt, the market erected a temporary tent to house its vendors and continue operating.
The temporary market tent was set to open during the winter months, and so Mercat Central Castellón needed to install an HVAC system to keep shoppers comfortable despite the low temperatures. FabricAir designed a fabric duct system that met that need without adding weight to the structure or standing out visually.
The challenge
The temporary tent housed stalls, most of them selling food that had to stay fresh, alongside occupants who needed to stay warm and comfortable. Refrigeration units ran throughout the space, releasing heat into the air as they worked to keep the extra stock of produce in perfect condition. Our team had to factor in all these circumstances when specifying a system that could deliver even, comfortable temperatures for vendors and shoppers alike.
The installation site also came with its own particular challenges. To adapt to temporary commercial activities carried out inside a tent, the system had to meet three requirements at once:
- It had to be assembled and disassembled quickly, to match the rhythm of a temporary market setup.
- It had to stay lightweight, since the tent frame wasn’t built to carry heavy loads.
- It also had to adapt to the low ceiling height, which shaped the airflow specification.
The solution
FabricAir’s technical team designed a fabric duct system capable of meeting these needs.
For air distribution, the team chose Sonic Flow. This technology is designed to diffuse air comfortably. It also works well under low ceilings, like the one in this tent, and can be used to direct air where it needs to go by adjusting the size, position and orientation of the orifices. In this project, perforations of different sizes and positions oriented the air to suit each zone of the market, distinguishing between stalls and aisles.
The Type 08 All in One Rapid Slider system was specified for its fast installation and clean finish. The system was completed with antibacterial fabric Combi 90. FabricAir’s technical team selected this material because antibacterial fabrics suit high-occupancy spaces and are commonly used in environments that house food products.
Why FabricAir
Compared with metal ductwork, fabric weighs less and is more hygienic, two decisive factors for a food market built inside a tent. Easy installation and uniform airflow along the duct also proved decisive.
Aesthetics were also important. The client wanted the system to stay mainly out of sight. That’s why the ducts were made in white fabric, matching the tent’s ceiling, so they blended in rather than standing out.
Results
- Comfortable environment: Sonic Flow air distribution keeps a stable temperature inside the tent, working with the height of the ceiling and adjusting to the space’s needs.
- Even distribution: perforations of different sizes and orientations spread air evenly across the full length of the duct, keeping temperature conditions uniform and comfortable throughout the market.
- Discreet design: the custom white duct blends into the ceiling and doesn’t interfere with the market’s clean design. The All in One system also keeps the duct’s shape, so it doesn’t sag.
- Fast installation: the Type 08 All in One Rapid Slider system, which lets the duct slide through the rail using basic tools and no extra labor, made it possible to complete installation within the opening deadline.
- Assured hygiene: the antibacterial properties of the Combi 90 fabric support air quality in a high-occupancy food space.
Mercat Central Castellón shows that a temporary tent can reach the same comfort and reliability as a more permanent structure. Thanks to the adaptability that defines fabric duct systems, FabricAir delivered a solution capable of ensuring reliable climate control, even in a temporary structure.
