Most Recent
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Green architecture and sustainable design
January 1, 2007 -
The green roofs of Vancouver
November 1, 2009 -
North America’s first modular living wall installation opens in Vancouver
November 1, 2009 -
Toronto adopts mandatory green roof requirements
October 20, 2009 -
Ground control in northern California
September 1, 2008
Most Viewed
Sustainability
Vancouver Convention Centre’s green roof, at 5.6 hectares, is the largest nonindustrial living roof in North America. Below left, Canada Place’s white fabric roof. Photo courtesy: Vancouver Convention Centre. Photo: Nic Lehoux Photography.
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Green roofs
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North America’s first modular living wall installation opens in Vancouver
A new frontier for fabric applications begins at the Vancouver Aquarium’s new Aquaquest-Marilyn Blusson Learning Centre
November 1, 2009 -
The green roofs of Vancouver
The city’s new convention center brings together waterfront and city
November 1, 2009 -
Towards a living architecture
Jeffrey L. Bruce, a leader on green roofs and landscape, speaks out on the promise of “Living Architecture.”
November 1, 2009 -
Toronto adopts mandatory green roof requirements
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities recently announced that the City of Toronto, Canada, passed a new green roof bylaw consisting of a green roof construction standard and a mandatory requirement for green roofs on all classes of new buildings.
October 20, 2009 -
Sustainable shading
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Light canopy
Students and teacher explore the possibilities of CNC-driven fabrication
November 1, 2009 -
Wave form awnings and fabric panels add class to condos
A Miami upscale condominium carries classy details through to its car park
November 1, 2009 -
Rosa Parks Transit Center opens in Detroit
Detroit has something to feel good about as the new Rosa Parks Transit Center recently opened to rave reviews.
September 1, 2009 -
Fabric canopies provide shade for commuters
A new park and ride near Austin, Texas, offers commuters a cool respite from the heat.
July 1, 2009
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Fabric structures
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A sustainable bridge to the future
Blaine Brownell’s proposal advocates sustainable interdependent skyscrapers.
September 1, 2009 -
Tension tent pavilions produce energy
PromoMod produces sufficient energy to power an array of devices, including computers, communications devices and lighting.
September 1, 2009 -
Biological approach presents possibilities for designing fiber composite structures
Exploiting the concept of “adaptive growth” found in nature may suggest new methodologies for creating fiber composite structures.
July 1, 2009 -
Better living through photovoltaics
A New York design firm is defining the new frontier of building technology.
May 1, 2009
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Sustainable materials
Sponsored by Industrial Fabrics Association International
What does it take to be environmentally friendly in the world of fabric architecture? The answer is complex but not out of reach. Five areas, at a minimum, must be addressed: renewability, recycled content and recyclability, pollution, energy usage and durability.
-Renewability: A fabric’s content can be replaced biologically within an understood time frame. Fibers are made from plant-based resins rather than petrochemicals. Check with the supplier.
- Recycled content and recyclability: Fabrics are good that are produced from recycled polyester, polyethylene, cotton, wool, etc. At issue: Is more energy required to recycle than to produce non-recylable fabric?
- Pollution: Fabric dyes can be toxic. At issue: the heavy metal antimony is often used in fabric dyes. Check to see if there are alternatives with your supplier.
- Energy use: Like most everything, fabric production uses energy.
- Durability: Durability IS green. If a product seldom needs replacement, energy to produce it is minimized and the earth wins out with reduced landfills, among other outcomes. Place of origin is also important. Europe has strict green manufacturing laws. Check with the supplier and ask where the fabric is manufactured.
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