Working with architects
January 1st, 2018
Key to the success of a productive partnership: exploration, preparation, communication and education, with a firm grasp of details and a final vision for the project. Fabrics and architecture have been partners for millennia and have worked together to create some of the most iconic, useful and beautiful structures in the world—from traditional Mongolian yurts […]
Finding shelter in fabric
May 1st, 2016
Alaska Structures® Inc. recently completed a contract for 365 new and improved U.S. Air Force Medium Shelter Systems. The United States Air Force (USAF) is no slouch when it comes to providing quality equipment, supplies and shelter for its ranks. The military branch recently invested more than $15 million in a Medium Weight Shelter Systems […]
Full coverage
April 1st, 2016
Tips and trends in travel and mooring covers. Every boat owner wants to be on the water as much as possible. Even on shore, however, protection from the elements is crucial. Good mooring and travel covers protect the finish, upholstery and interior/exterior environments of boats. A custom cover ensures a good fit, proper ventilation and […]
Angles of shade
February 1st, 2016
Tech giant Google™ relied on old-school textiles to help shed some shade on its new campus expansion. Google™ is known for its inventiveness, creativity and efficiency. It’s no surprise that the unique Internet company continued that trend when it chose an industrial fabric solution for the outdoor area of its new campus expansion. The shaded […]
Behind the curtain
January 1st, 2016
Geosynthetics make an impact in a large marine construction project near the Golden Gate Bridge. Marine construction projects often come with a unique set of obstacles. In addition to the challenge of building stable structures in and under water, the environmental impact of construction must be limited. Creative and inventive methods for mitigating environmental contamination […]
Domes of discovery
December 1st, 2015
Detectors at the HAWC Gamma Ray Observatory are protected by custom domes made of military grade fabric. We have learned a lot about the universe by looking out from our planet. Scientists are discovering much can be learned about outer space by looking at our immediate surroundings as well. One of the most effective ways […]
Fabric meets frac sand
September 1st, 2015
A fast-growing industry relies on fabric architecture for a long-term, large-format storage facility. Wind and sand are like oil and water; they don’t mix. When Source Energy Services (SES), Eau Claire, Wis., enlisted the assistance of Legacy Building Solutions Inc., South Haven, Minn., to build the largest regional frac sand storage facility in Alberta, Canada, […]
Attachment issues
August 21st, 2015
Connecting a tent to a building poses a set of challenges for tent installers. Stability, weatherproofing, auxiliary HVAC systems and custom flooring all need to be accounted for. These projects almost always require customized solutions that take the unique environment of the building and the tent site into consideration. One of the biggest considerations is […]
Staying equipped
July 1st, 2015
Equipment manufacturers weigh in on new trends and technologies. Doing a job right the first times takes preparation, experience and the right tools. From printers to sewing machines, textile equipment manufacturers are incorporating new technologies, reaching new markets and adapting their products to help end users do better work more efficiently. Power on The sewing […]
Automatic upholstery
March 1st, 2015
Giving cars a winning look. The best meals are cooked from scratch, the wildest adventures take place off the map, and some of the most impressive auto upholstery restoration projects are done without a template. Two entries in the upholstery category of the 2014 International Achievement Awards were just such projects, transforming torn, tattered and […]