Water control and conservation

November 1, 2013  |  Awnings & Canopies, Business, Fabric Structures, Features, Markets

By Sigrid Tornquist Harvesting rainwater is nothing new—but using fabric shade structures to collect and distribute rainwater, while providing an attractive aesthetic, is largely an untapped resource that can translate into growth potential for fabricators. Architen Landrell, Chepstow, Monmout…
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Urban renewal

November 1, 2013  |  Awnings & Canopies, Fabric Structures, Features

City officials are choosing fabric structures as part of revitalization programs that energize struggling urban neighborhoods—to spruce up degraded spaces, provide shelter and act as inspirational focal points. “We get a lot of requests from architects for urban renewal projects,” says Archite…
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Comfort, inside and out

November 1, 2013  |  Awnings & Canopies, Fabric Structures, Features

For just this once—think inside the box. Shade structures can be installed inside—managing comfort, while enhancing decor. An emerging market in the United Kingdom may again be paving the way for other parts of the world. “About four years ago we began designing internal tensile structures in …
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Design and branding

November 1, 2013  |  Awnings & Canopies, Fabric Structures, Features, Marketing

Awnings have long been an effective way to brand a business, but other kinds of shade structures are emerging as an additional option, especially when organizations understand that branding isn’t only about company colors and logos. Shade structures can be a creative option to communicate branding…
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Energy efficiency and sustainability

November 1, 2013  |  Awnings & Canopies, Business, Fabric Structures, Features

Is more heat in a home or office a good thing? It depends on the season, of course. As more people turn to solar and geothermal systems to heat and cool their homes and places of business, ambient heat gain can be a challenge—one that can, to some extent, be addressed by well-designed shade struct…
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Building business with LEED

November 1, 2013  |  Awnings & Canopies, Fabric Structures, Features

Awnings and solar shades can boost energy performance and contribute to LEED certification points. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a family of rating systems that recognizes building or renovation projects for improvements in energy efficiency, water conservation, habitat…
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Fabric, flexible, photovoltaic

November 1, 2013  |  Awnings & Canopies, Fabric Structures, Features

Solar energy-collecting fabric products offer major potential to impact energy use—and make businesses in the industry hugely successful. Coal and oil have superbly fueled and helped enable the extraordinary growth of modern civilization. Their supply is reaching its peak, though, and will soon st…
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Beating the heat with shade

November 1, 2013  |  Awnings & Canopies, Fabric Structures, Projects

Temperature extremes in Japan are leading to greater reliance on fabric shade structures. By Kikuko Tagawa Japan has been experiencing extremely hot summers in recent years. The summer of 2013 was especially fierce, according to a statement issued by the Tokyo Climate Center (TCC) Advisory Panel on …
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Design and function meet

October 1, 2013  |  Awnings & Canopies, Graphics, Markets, Projects

Renovation of a seaside resort included custom awnings, shades and canopies for an elegant finish. By Maura Keller Situated on the bluffs of Watch Hill, R.I., overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Ocean House is an iconic New England seaside resort. Because of its location amidst sand, sea and wind, O…
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New tools, old school

September 1, 2013  |  Awnings & Canopies, Management

A long-term family business embraces new methods to set the stage for future growth. By Jarrett Schechner Awning Works Inc. serves customers throughout our home state of Florida and nationwide. We recently expanded into general contracting with a new start-up firm called ABuilt Inc. Using today&rsqu…
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