The economics of fabric structures

July 1, 2010  |  Fabric Structures, Features, Management

Understanding the variables is the key to determining the cost of building a fabric structure. By Samuel J. Armijos, AIA The hardest part of designing and building a fabric structure is determining its cost. There are three major components to a fabric structure—steel, fabric and cables. Other…
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Stoett to market Libart enclosures

July 1, 2010  |  Fabric Structures

Libart 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. In March, it signed an exclusive licensing and manufacturing agreement with Stoett Industries Inc.…
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“Skylar” structures commemorate fallen soldiers

July 1, 2010  |  Fabric Structures, Projects

Every 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. To commemorate military personnel lost in battle, NAS Pensacola commissioned Fabric Architecture, Gloucestershire, England, to design …
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Cable-membrane roof and ‘sun valleys’ define Shanghai Expo’s Boulevard

June 1, 2010  |  Fabric Structures

By Zou Bin From 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 the 2010 World Expo. The event showcases the latest developments in sustainable urban de…
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Shade canopies keep California students safe

May 1, 2010  |  Fabric Structures, Projects

Recess 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. Southern Hemisphere Shades (SH Shades), Sacr…
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Strategic alliance promotes architectural fabrics

May 1, 2010  |  Fabric Structures, Industry News

Two 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. Tenara, used in such projects as the retractab…
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Potential builds for fabrics in construction

May 1, 2010  |  Fabric Structures, Features

Versatile and lightweight, architectural fabrics are finding new niches in construction. By Barb Ernster Decades of experimentation about how best to use fabric in building design and construction has a lot more interest and growing potential for what fabric can do, driven by a desire for greener, c…
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ETFE-adhesive tape

May 1, 2010  |  Fabric Structures, Products

ETFE is often used to make pneumatic structures of “cushions,” which can be used for roofs and other architectural structures. The material is anti-static, self-cleaning and easily repairable, using CMC 77700 ETFE tape from CMC Klebetechnik GmbH. The tape sticks extremely well to the cus…
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Lightweight Manufacturing relocates, expands

March 19, 2010  |  Fabric Structures, Industry News, Tents

Encouraged by the Allentown Economic Development Corporation, which is located in a Keystone State Opportunity Zone that provides tax incentives, Lightweight Manufacturing Inc. (LWM) has moved its fabric structure and tent rental industry business to Allentown, Pa. The move brings together the LWM f…
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Where to get flexible solar panels

March 1, 2010  |  Fabric Structures, Resources

Compiled by Juli Case Where can I get flexible solar panels? Photovoltaic technology has been around for years, but offered in rigid solar panels that were rather bulky and not very compatible with fabric products. New innovations have made flexible photovoltaics possible, allowing them to be incorp…
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