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New book published about fabric architecture

Samuel J. Armijos, vice president of sales for FabriTec Structures, Costa Mesa, Calif., has coordinated the design and construction of fabric structures throughout the world. He’s gathered ideas, materials, structure types, samples of fabrics and more than 400 full-color photos in Fabric Architecture: Creative Resources for Shade, Signage and Shelter, a new book published in [...]

By |2008-11-01T00:00:00-05:00November 1, 2008|

Japanese companies introduce three innovative products

Japanese companies have introduced three intriguing specialty fabric products that combine once-incompatible features. By Kikuko Tagawa Cool Cargo helps save lives in Africa Cool Cargo FZ,” collaboratively developed and produced by Twinbird and Taiyo Kogyo, and the 2007 Award of Excellence winner in the industrial applications category of ATA’s International Achievement Awards, is a refrigerated [...]

By |2008-10-01T00:00:00-05:00October 1, 2008|

Olympics features top-to-bottom membrane structure

For almost five centuries, the Forbidden City—located in Beijing, and home of the imperial palace—has been the symbol of China’s distinct grandeur, as well as its detachment from the world. But with the world’s most populous country on a fast track to industrialize its infrastructure in recent years, it’s no secret that the Chinese government [...]

By |2008-08-01T00:00:00-05:00August 1, 2008|

Thompson uses creativity to drive business

Cynthia Thompson leverages her creative instincts to build a flourishing tension fabric structures business. “Business owners need to be inventive and fast moving and I think we’ve gotten sluggish,” says Cynthia Thompson, founder and owner of Transformit in Gorham, Maine. “I think we’re looking to creative people to put the juice back into our world.” [...]

By |2008-08-01T00:00:00-05:00August 1, 2008|

Strategies for compliance with building codes

It’s a story that’s becoming all too familiar: An awning company takes a job fabricating a simple entrance canopy. It’s the type of installation that this company has done hundreds of times before—but this time, that company is given a veritable laundry list of additional requirements. Provide evidence that the material meets NFPA 701; demonstrate [...]

By |2008-07-01T00:00:00-05:00July 1, 2008|

Acrylic transfer adhesive used for tension membranes

For structural and decorative use, Unifilm® U802 from Scapa North America is an acrylic transfer adhesive used to attach architectural tension membranes to a wide variety of metal frames. It laminates well well to a variety of substrates, including low surface energy plastics and untreated polyolefins, providing high initial adhesion and building quickly to a [...]

By |2008-07-01T00:00:00-05:00July 1, 2008|

Triangles of cloth dress up German exhibition

Meyer created this site-specific art installation for the summer Rheinland Pfalz exhibition at Fort Malakow Park office building in Mainz, Germany. Triangles of cloth were stretched from one wall to the other in varying angles. The tilted diagonals brought a sense of lightness and movement to the rectangular architecture flanking the triangular patio.

By |2008-07-01T00:00:00-05:00July 1, 2008|

Chinese gymnasium features double layer structure

This landmark gymnasium in the Minhang district of Shanghai provides a sheltered area for a variety of indoor sports. The main membrane is designed with a double layer structure; its upper layer is supported by arch framework and its lower layer is suspended through a top chord. The two ends of the top chord are [...]

By |2008-07-01T00:00:00-05:00July 1, 2008|

Retractable roof provides flexibility for shopping center

The local building codes in Maroussi, Athens, required open “plazas” and “streets” for this shopping center. The client requested a roof from Taiyo Europe that could be retracted to a fully open position within five minutes. Each side is driven by 13 engines along 13 arches of various lengths, and the parking space for the [...]

By |2008-07-01T00:00:00-05:00July 1, 2008|

Tensile structures blend past and present

The Chaparral Water Treatment facility in Scottsdale, Ariz., boasts what is believed to be the largest installation of tensile structures of its kind in the area. The delicate engineering and the boldly stated shading system represents the nomadic desert dwellings of the past and the art and technology of the present. The blend of compositions [...]

By |2008-07-01T00:00:00-05:00July 1, 2008|
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