The 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.
The “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.
Photovoltaic technology has been around for years, but offered in rigid solar panels that were rather bulky and not very compatible with fabric products.
Careful attention to joinery and geometry brings a work of art (and a functional pedestrian bridge) to a busy intersection in Colombia.
Experienced professionals comment on how much it costs to build fabric structures.
Cattle need fresh air, sunlight and protection from cold, damp conditions.
The Sydney Custom House is currently hosting a five-story, translucent green tensioned-fabric sculpture dubbed the Green Void.
A major urban center on a busy harbor may be a unique location for a zoo, but Darling Harbour in Sydney, Australia, established Wildlife World to attract both animal lovers and architectural students alike.
The Lightweight Structures Association, Roseville, Minn., a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International, changed its name and identity in October and is now the Fabric Structures Association (FSA).
Universal Fabric Structures (UFS) has announced the launch of its new custom architectural division, Fabritecture.
Engineers help to ensure the practicality, safety and success of fabric structures.
Birdair Inc., Buffalo, N.Y., has an impressive portfolio of custom lightweight roofing, shading and tensile fabric structures, designed for malls, stadiums and airports.
In Suzhou, China, Harmony Times Square, next to Suzhou Industrial Park Jinji Lake, is a new landmark for the city, including office buildings, retail streets, riverfront cafes and a state-of-the-art shopping mall.
New York architects Viraline have a plan for repopulating Manhattan - after the hurricane that hasn’t happened yet hits the NYC shoreline causing Katrina-like damage; it could happen.
British fabric structures manufacturer Tectoniks is all set to help—bring on the disasters.
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.

