IFAI’s 2017 Smart Fabrics Program
March 29th, 2017
Channeling exciting ideas into new product development. At the 2017 Advanced Textiles Conference, four educational tracks—military, medical, smart fabrics and testing—will give attendees the latest news on the processes, products and profit potential in working with high-tech fabrics and fabrication techniques. The Advanced Textiles Conference, part of IFAI Expo 2017, will be held in New […]
Student Design Competitions application deadline May 15
March 27th, 2017
IFAI appreciates members' dedication to helping advance the textile industry. We encourage you to further that advancement by passing along the following information to students who are interested in a textile industry career. Students have until Monday, May 15, 2017, to submit projects for the IFAI Student Design Competitions. Any project completed between May 2016- May 2017 is eligible. […]
Detroit development proposal aims to refocus public space
March 1st, 2017
New York-based SHoP Architects have proposed a 52-story tower for a long-vacant lot in the heart of Detroit that would redevelop the site of the former J. L. Hudson’s Department Store. Located on Woodward Avene, the city’s main traffic spine, the project would feature a large multi-level retail interior and public gathering space on the […]
Membrane roof to protect Roman amphitheater
March 1st, 2017
A fan-like shade canopy is proposed to cover the almost 2,000-year-old Roman-era arena in the Italian city of Verona. Architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) in collaboration with German tensile experts schlaich bergermann have won the project to protect the stone amphitheater by placing a compression ring at the top of the elliptically-shaped arena. […]
Accessible shade for all
March 1st, 2017
In the desert of Arizona, shade is always in high demand. Following the popularity of its signature SUNAMI® shade structure, Tensile Shade Products LLC of Tucson, Ariz., wanted to expand its prefabricated shade structure product line to include another product that would provide more shade with a similar style, and would be a dynamic enhancement […]
Retractable shade canopy
March 1st, 2017
Voted the ninth best place to live in Britain, Guildford, England, holds onto its storied past while embracing the future with new construction, such as the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel downtown. Guildford, located just 27 miles southwest from London, is the historic county seat of Surrey where the University of Surrey and the 20th century […]
Knitted structure wins 2017 MoMA young architects award
March 1st, 2017
Jenny Sabin Studio, Ithaca, N.Y., has been named the winner of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) PS1 competition for a temporary urban landscape titled Lumen. New York architect Jenny Sabin brings solar-active textiles into her complex, lyrical design for the annual Young Architects Program—the “Academy Awards” for young practitioners—set for a June exhibition on […]
1980s high-tech center receives Grade II* listing
March 1st, 2017
The landmark Schlumberger Gould Research Center in Cambridge, England, has been listed by the British Heritage Minister as Grade II*, the second highest ranking offered by Historic England. Designed by Sir Michael Hopkins, “The Schlumberger Gould Research Centre is an extremely important piece of high-tech architecture by one of the leading British architects of recent […]
Opening the door to architects
March 1st, 2017
Experts discuss the best ways to encourage designers to use fabric in their projects. Confession: I am a licensed architect (please don’t hold that against me!) and I like fabric. I am also a teacher of young architects and designers and take every opportunity to introduce students to the wonders of fabric in architecture and […]