Spontaneous Interventions wows Italian cognoscenti

November 1, 2012  |  Interiors

U.S. design contingency wowed at 13th International Architecture Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia. By Mason Riddle What’s not to like about Venice? Not much if you are the Institute for Urban Design (IFUD) and your project, Spontaneous Interventions: Design Actions for the Common Good, jus…
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Optimizing wind and water: cooling tricks in Beirut

September 1, 2012  |  Case Studies, Features, Interiors

The Charles Hostler Student Center at the American University of Beirut. By Frank Edgerton Martin In arid climate cities, the way people use architecture and urban space changes with the time of day. Fabrics for shading, screening and evaporative cooling can be part of sustainable strategies to make…
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Fabric roof lets the light into school courtyard

September 1, 2012  |  Interiors

It “takes a village to raise a child,” and the school design selected by Coopers Edge Primary in Gloucester, England, included a Village Square for children to play and the greater community to assemble. The plan called for a covered courtyard that would “inspire and enable people,…
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Designing with folded fabric pyramids

July 19, 2012  |  Interiors

Students at Parsons The New School for Design in New York spent a semester investigating the properties of textiles as “soft structures.” They wanted to work with Xorel, a paper-backed woven textile created by Carnegie Fabrics, Rockville Center, N.Y., to develop an exhibit for the Intern…
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A fabric marriage: Serge Ferrari and Anish Kapoor

July 1, 2012  |  Features, Interiors

Artist and fabric maker have a unique history together. By Mason Riddle It’s not easy to collaborate when one party has a strong, creative and unique vision. Yet it can be challenging, and even inspiring. Just ask Serge Ferrari about its collaboration with internationally renowned artist Anish…
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Brickwork and fabric forms

July 1, 2012  |  Features, Interiors

A transcontinental collaboration. By Mason Riddle It takes two to tango. Or make babies. And tea is always better with two. But to collaborate on a design project—given the idiosyncrasies of two creative personalities, egos and visions—is, potentially, a recipe for disaster. Not so with …
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Creative interest: The architect-fabricator collaboration at its best

July 1, 2012  |  Features, Interiors

The longstanding working relationship between an architect and a fabricator pays back in professional and personal rewards. We love working with architects because they often have great ideas and challenge us more than anyone else,” says Jim Miller, president of J. Miller Canvas Inc., Santa An…
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Waterfalls inside: fabric creates water walls

July 1, 2012  |  Features, Interiors

Metal mesh is a cool solution for Tulane University’s award-winning student center. By Frank Edgerton Martin In today’s most energy efficient and successful public buildings, metal meshes and fabrics are more than a decorative detail. They are active contributors to integrated building s…
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Fabric “racing fins” attract fans

May 1, 2012  |  Interiors

The world’s largest indoor theme park gives visitors the chance to experience fast and furious fun, Ferrari style. Ferrari World, on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, takes the legendary Italian sports car to new speeds, with a family-friendly attraction offering rides, films, shops, restaurants and lodg…
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Pou Manawa

January 1, 2012  |  Features, Interiors

Auckland International Airport, New Zealand “Pou Manawa,” a bespoke fabric sculptural structure in the form of a tree, is the focal point of Auckland International Airport’s new retail departure area. Crafted from PTFE fabric and tensioned into place, the sculpture creates a contin…
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