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Where to get flexible solar panels
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Lightweight structures
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Art museum features unusual white undulating roof
September 1, 2010Centre Georges Pompidou outpost art museum in France is a serious work of design.
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Fabric cube suggests balance and mass
September 1, 2010Geometry is not rocket science for Pink Powered by Moss.
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London hospital features ETFE skylight
September 1, 2010A redevelopment of a city hospital complex called for reusing existing buildings while adding functionality.
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“Skylar” structures commemorate fallen soldiers
July 1, 2010Every U.S. Navy aviator, flight officer and enlisted air crewman trains at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla., and many who served made the ultimate sacrifice.
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Stoett to market Libart enclosures
July 1, 2010Libart Enclosure Systems, Delta, B.C., Canada, designs and manufactures swimming pool and patio enclosures with retractable roofs for hotels, restaurants and other commercial and residential buildings.
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The economics of fabric structures
July 1, 2010Understanding the variables is the key to determining the cost of building a fabric structure.
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Cable-membrane roof and ’sun valleys’ define Shanghai Expo’s Boulevard
June 1, 2010From May 1-October 31, 2010, more than 50 international organizations and representatives from more than 170 countries will gather in Shanghai under the theme “Better City, Better Life” at the2010 World Expo.
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ETFE-adhesive tape
May 1, 2010ETFE is often used to make pneumatic structures of “cushions,” which can be used for roofs and other architectural structures.
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Potential builds for fabrics in construction
May 1, 2010Versatile and lightweight, architectural fabrics are finding new niches in construction.
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Shade canopies keep California students safe
May 1, 2010Recess takes the edge off rambunctious elementary school students, but officials for the Pasadena Unified School District want the bright California sunshine tempered with shaded play areas that block UV rays and cool temperatures to keep youngsters safe.
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Strategic alliance promotes architectural fabrics
May 1, 2010Two big names in architectural fabrics have joined forces to produce and market Tenara®, expanded PTFE fibers patented by W. L. Gore & Associates, Newark, Del., and licensed exclusively to Sefar AG, Heiden, Switzerland, for production and sales.
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Lightweight Manufacturing relocates, expands
March 19, 2010Encouraged by the Allentown Economic Development Corporation, Lightweight Manufacturing Inc. (LWM) has moved its fabric structure and tent rental industry business to Allentown, Pa.
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Athletic coverage in Canada
March 1, 2010The Talisman Centre for Sport and Wellness, a full-service Calgary, Alberta, Canada, athletic facility hosting Olympic-caliber competitors, will upgrade its 1983 fabric roof by installing a material with five times the insulating value.
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Pavilion features modern ETFE canopy
March 1, 2010The “Norway powered by nature” exhibit at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai China will showcase Norwegian woods in the Nanpu Bridge–Lupu Bridge area in the crowded center of one of China’s largest cities.
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Where to get flexible solar panels
March 1, 2010Photovoltaic technology has been around for years, but offered in rigid solar panels that were rather bulky and not very compatible with fabric products.
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Industry Outlook: Lightweight structures
Sponsored by IFAI Market Research
Fabric suppliers see continued economic pressure for the remainder of 2009. Until the economy rebounds, the architectural building market segment will be sluggish. Growth will continue in selected areas of the world experiencing commercial building booms, such as China and Dubai. The industry will continue to consolidate and will emphasize higher quality fabrics where there tends to be a more steady, reliable demand (and better profit margins).
Manufacturers see slow growth for the U.S. lightweight structures market in 2009, which will be aided by the growth of ‘green’ projects and the trend toward using fabric in building projects in place of traditional (and often more expensive and less efficient) materials such as steel and concrete. They feel that the industry will continue to suffer from a shortage of skilled labor.
Coupled with the increasing cost of raw materials and a slowdown in both commercial and residential construction, these factors will likely continue to drive up the cost of doing business and inhibit business growth. Yet there are opportunities to grow and stay profitable for companies that manage their businesses closely, monitor all costs, and make smart, long-term decisions that focus on optimizing value (emphasizing quality and innovative products) for their customers.
From the 2009 State of the Industry Report. Purchase a complete report at the IFAI Bookstore.
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