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Fabric structures

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  Solar tent promotes green energy education

  September 1, 2010

  FTL Solar and the NWF teamed up this spring to promote green energy education to school kids.

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  Sun valleys and cable-membrane roof define Shanghai’s Expo Boulevard

  July 1, 2010

  Expo Boulevard serves as main entrance to 2010 World Expo complex’s pavilions.

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  A sustainable bridge to the future

  September 1, 2009

  Blaine Brownell’s proposal advocates sustainable interdependent skyscrapers.

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  Tension tent pavilions produce energy

  September 1, 2009

  PromoMod produces sufficient energy to power an array of devices, including computers, communications devices and lighting.

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  Biological approach presents possibilities for designing fiber composite structures

  July 1, 2009

  Exploiting the concept of “adaptive growth” found in nature may suggest new methodologies for creating fiber composite structures.

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  Better living through photovoltaics

  May 1, 2009

  A New York design firm is defining the new frontier of building technology.

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  The ephemeralization of energy production: Photovoltaics using fabric

  May 1, 2009

  The skinny on photovoltaics using fabric and where to find it.

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  England schools incorporate smart materials and design

  January 1, 2009

  Oldham Schools in England leads the way to intelligent, and light-filled, educational settings.

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  New Zealand netball center sports eco-friendly facility

  January 1, 2009

  An eco-friendly sports facility for women filled with diffuse light.

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  PVC breeds controversy

  January 1, 2009

  Can vinyl fit in a green world?

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  Geotextile mat helps hold North Dakota river in place

  September 1, 2008

  The Grand Forks, North Dakota river jumped its banks; now a geotextile mat helps hold it in place.

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  Hotel entrance canopy evokes the earth and sea

  September 1, 2008

  To a guest at the 132-room Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa, it’s obvious what separates this place from other hotels.

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  Sustainable headquarters features fabric stitched into building

  September 1, 2008

  The headquarters of fashion designer Hugo Boss.

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  2012 Stadium may be greenest yet

  July 1, 2008

  The London 2012 Olympic stadium, designed by HOK Sport and Peter Cook, could be wrapped in a material made from the cannabis family of plants.

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  Desert museum complex gets certified Platinum LEED

  July 1, 2008

  A desert museum complex—the Water + Life Museums comprising the Center for Water Education and the Western Center for Archeology and Paleontology—has been certified Platinum LEED.

• 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…