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Robotics plus ETFE fabric architecture in a Chinese building
November 1st, 2024
This dynamic architecture features ETFE petals that open and close around the building, offering privacy or views. When you think of robotics, architecture probably is not what first comes to mind. But design company line+, of Hangzhou, China, partnered with robotics systems company RoboticPlus.AI to create a dynamic building like no other. The public building, […]
ETFE enhances Oregon stadium acoustics, fan experience
March 1st, 2023
The soaring canopy structure, or “bents,” surrounding the stadium are designed to be a connection to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Paired with the light, airy, translucent ETFE canopy roof, the environment enhances acoustics and provides rain protection and shade for the fans below. Photos: Kevin Scott Envisioned as the “finest track and field facility […]
Retrofit roof on UFG building
August 1st, 2022
In 2021, the University of Florida in Gainesville decided to give a facelift to its School of Architecture building on campus, which would include a retrofitted roof to cover the existing open atrium space. The school turned to Birdair Inc., a specialty contractor for custom tensile membrane structures, to create a one-of-a-kind roofing system atop […]
New solutions in solar shade
October 1st, 2021
The SoFi Stadium’s ETFE roof provides a “fifth dimension” with an LED system embedded into the ETFE to project images and show live events from inside the stadium. These images can be seen from the air by the more than 80 million passengers traveling through the Los Angeles International Airport annually without sacrificing the transparency […]
U.S. Embassy in London honored for efficient design
April 1st, 2021
Birdair’s ETFE film is optimized to shade interiors at the U.S. Embassy in London from east, west and south sun while admitting daylight and framing large open-view portals to the outside. Its pattern visually fragments the facade while intercepting unwanted solar gain. Photo: U.S. Embassy London. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), […]
LA’s SoFi Stadium sets a new standard with massive roof and video display
January 1st, 2021
The 46 lower mesh panels were partially printed with graphics prior to cutting and welding, which required that the graphics align vertically across welded seams and horizontally across the aluminum frame members. Photo: Celina Tent. Featuring the world’s largest cable net roof and the world’s largest LED content playback system, SoFi Stadium, the new home […]
New airport canopies welcome travelers
May 1st, 2020
Rising 72 feet over passengers and traffic, newly constructed canopies provide protection from the elements for visitors to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Photo: FabriTec Structures. More than 107 million travelers pass through the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, making it the busiest airport in the world. With all of the traffic, airport management developed a plan […]
Innovative fabric facades
April 1st, 2020
Changing the look and function of architecture for a sustainable future. by Bruce N. Wright, FAIA Architects are fond of describing their buildings in the metaphoric terms of the human body. The supporting structure is often referred to as the skeleton that holds it up; the enclosure (or envelope) is the skin that protects the […]
Fibers of the future
August 1st, 2019
Roughly five times lighter than a more conventional steel structure, the BUGA Fibre Pavilion was created using robotics technology that placed fibrous filaments between two rotating winding scaffolds. The process created the predefined shape of the building component, which included a lattice of translucent glass fibers onto which black carbon fibers were placed where structurally […]
Tropical greenhouse housed under ETFE dome
November 1st, 2018
Imagine entering a tropical utopia where the weather is always a perfect 82 degrees and a beautiful setting of flowers, lush greenery, ponds, waterfalls, butterflies, birds and other creatures awaits. This environment isn’t just a dream. Plans are in development to build the world’s largest tropical greenhouse under a single dome in the Pas-de-Calais area […]