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Fabric structures

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  A "bearable" high-efficiency building design

  May 1, 2013

  Building energy research in Germany finds inspiration from polar bears.

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  Collecting their dews with an innovative fabric tower

  September 1, 2012

  The WarkaWater tower harvests water from Ethiopia's arid air.

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  Let it rain: saving the rain with fabric

  September 1, 2012

  Saving the rain with an innovative shade and water collecting structure at Arizona State University.

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  Lessons earned: fabric's response to drought

  May 1, 2012

  The language of shelter and sustainability frames a grammar school courtyard.

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  United Nations interim porte cochere

  March 1, 2012

  On United Nations campus a porte cochere sits adjacent to temporary Assembly building.

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  College sails

  January 1, 2012

  Campus with enhanced outdoor landscaping and dedicated event and gathering spaces.

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  Fabric protects agricultural assets

  January 1, 2012

  Duane Thorbeck proposes fabric barns as a sustainable choice.

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  Handmade to spec: from pergola to canopy

  January 1, 2012

  This residential canopy is a retrofit of an existing wood pergola.

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  BMW Guggenheim Lab showcases portable fabrics and meshes

  November 1, 2011

  Guggenheim Museum opens “Laboratory” for public discussions about sustainability. 

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  London 2012 Olympics Water Polo Arena

  November 1, 2011

  ‘Reuse after done’ is the design motto for a prime venue in the Olympic aquatic sports category.

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  Populous’ Olympic Stadium

  November 1, 2011

  To make the London 2012 Olympic Stadium the most sustainable for the Olympics to date, Populous has turned to fabric as a strategic part of the overall strategy.

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  Sustainability in the London 2012 Olympics

  November 1, 2011

  Sustainability plays major role in shaping design and construction of London 2012 Olympics.

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  Temporary basketball arena for the London 2012 Olympics

  November 1, 2011

  The Olympic Basketball Arena was the fourth structure to be completed more than a year before the international athletes land to flex their collective muscle.

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  Velodrome utilizes fabric in strategic ways

  November 1, 2011

  As the venue for indoor track cycling events at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games, the Velodrome is an architectural interpretation of the activities that will take place inside.

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  Building innovation at Shanghai Expo

  May 1, 2011

  An interview with Yutaka Hikosaka, architect and designer of Japan’s technologically advanced pavilion at World Expo 2010 Shanghai, China.

• 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.

  Learn more...