Archives

Miller Weldmaster hits the road with ‘Roadshow’

January 27th, 2011

The Miller Roadshow, a traveling exhibit by Miller Weldmaster, is set to begin its 2011 itinerary in Florida, according to a press release from the company. The peripatetic Roadshow is actually a tradeshow that goes to MW’s customers and would-be customers. Eric Helmick is the Roadshow tech who offers advice and demonstrates the company’s machines. […]

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IFAI launches new website

January 20th, 2011

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has launched a new website to better serve its members and the specialty fabrics industry as a whole. The site features an event calendar, news blog, news feeds from the association’s seven magazine websites, revamped bookstore and information on IFAI interest groups and services. Non-members can easily join the […]

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Ronstan launches AIA CES course for architects

January 10th, 2011

Ronstan Tensile Architecture, Portsmouth, R.I., has launched its continuing education course, “Exploring the Naturally Sustainable Form of Tensile Architecture,” on The Continuing Architect, an online educational platform. Accredited by the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Continuing Education System (CES), successful completion of the course earns one hour toward learning unit requirements, including the health, safety […]

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Bamboo German-Chinese House

January 1st, 2011

Germany and China—Moving Ahead Together Expo 2010, Shanghai By Mason Riddle What’s not to love about the German-Chinese House (GCH) designed by architect Markus Heinsdorff for Shanghai’s Expo 2010. Aesthetically provocative, eco-friendly and functional, GCH was a sort of new-age dream house. Visitors loved it. Organizers loved it. And a review, published in Munich’s respected […]

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More fabric in Shanghai

January 1st, 2011

As testament to the popularity of fabric for temporary world fair pavilions, Norway’s presence at the Shanghai Expo 2010 was found in a wood and tensile canopy structure designed by Norwegian architects Helen and Hard AS. Although Expo 2010 has ended, the design is part of a new exhibition at the Scandinavia House, New York […]

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Designer pavilion: slippery when wet

January 1st, 2011

The hottest design during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics was Speedo’s LZR Racer swimming suit, which helped American Michael Phelps and a host of other world-class swimmers break more than 90 world records with its aerodynamic fit and fabric. Its advantages led to the suit being banned by the Fédération Internationale de Natation. The obsolete […]

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The yellow (red and orange) shades of Texas

January 1st, 2011

Colorful fabric shade structures designed by Rios Clementi Hale architects invite passers-by to enjoy San Antonio’s Main Plaza in the heart of town. The structures recently won an IAA 2010 Award of Excellence for exterior shade from the Industrial Fabrics Association International annual awards program, and are a vital piece of ongoing redevelopment of downtown […]

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Membrane microclimate in squid capsule

January 1st, 2011

Visitors to the outdoor courtyard of Materials & Applications, a Los Angeles nonprofit research and exhibition center for public space, encountered fair weather in the cloudlike apparition called Squid Capsule. Created by L.A. design firm Layer, the Squid Capsule consisted of 40 transparent vinyl membranes hanging like tentacles. A cloud of fog covered the installation, […]

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Signage goes high tech

January 1st, 2011

New opportunities in building wraps combine specialty fabrics with dazzling digital effects By Mason Riddle Outdoor advertising is big business. In 2009, advertisers spent $5.9 billion on signage—and more than $3.8 billion of that was on billboards alone. As businesses seek new opportunities to make their brands stand out, the sign industry is meeting the […]

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Interior fabric

January 1st, 2011

Space articulation with fabric adds design flair with practical appeal By Carla Waldemar Heard a lot of hammering lately? Not likely. The construction industry is among the hardest hit in this bleak economy. Few housing subdivisions, office parks, megamalls or public institutions are breaking ground these days. Yet retail businesses, hospitals, colleges, exhibition arenas and […]

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