Birdair announces global restructuring
October 1st, 2020
Birdair Inc., a specialty contractor for custom tensile membrane structures, has announced an international reorganization as it expands its worldwide presence through its network of organizations. A subsidiary of the Taiyo Corporation in Japan, Birdair—along with a number of MakMax Group affiliates—has completed more than 1,300 tensile architectural projects in more than 30 countries and six continents. […]
Roland-Garros gets a retractable roof with Serge Ferrari fabric
October 1st, 2020
Built in 1928, the Philippe-Chatrier Court is the main stadium of the Roland-Garros complex. Construction teams for the new retractable roof were on-site within days of the 2019 championship matches. The 11 wings of the roof unfold independently, and each is 105 meters long and 3 meters high. Photos: Serge Ferrari. Like virtually every other […]
Smart textile and e-textile solutions for indoor environments
October 1st, 2020
Technology and fabric advancements are fueling the development of smart textile and e-textile solutions for indoor environments. by Pamela Mills-Senn As the quest to add more functionality to interior spaces continues, smart fabrics and e-textiles are poised to make their own contributions, serving as platforms that can capture data, heat and cool, adjust lighting, entertain, […]
Geography and climate drive Australia’s technical textiles industry
October 1st, 2020
Developments in geotextiles, renewable energy and recreation stem from Australia’s extreme environment. By Marie O’Mahony Australia’s geographic isolation puts the country and its technical textile industry in a novel position. The country is rich in natural resources, mining and exporting coal, iron ore, petroleum gas, zinc ore and other materials. The mining industry directly and […]
Big Span Structures completes covered walkway for Jacksonville transit users
October 1st, 2020
The pedestrian walkway bridge at the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center is covered with a 2,725-square-foot tensile canopy system by Big Span Structures. Photos: Big Span Structures LLC. An eye-catching pedestrian bridge with a tensile membrane roof is keeping Jacksonville, Fla., transit users protected from the elements. Jacksonville Transit Authority’s vision of a regional multimodal hub […]
Registration for IFAI Virtual Expo is open
October 1st, 2020
IFAI Expo is going completely virtual and will be hosted online Nov. 2–12, 2020. By registering for IFAI Virtual Expo, attendees can attend education sessions, virtual networking events, keynote speakers and browse through a virtual show floor filled with exhibitors displaying their latest products and services. What can you expect from an IFAI Virtual Expo? Find […]
School design in New Zealand embraces sustainability
September 21st, 2020
The Green School was designed from the most organic materials available. The Green School campus in New Zealand showcases a relatively new material, Mehler Texnologies’ Lodge de Luxe membrane, a fabric often used for safari lodges. The Green School is a collaborative design developed by international and local designers, architects and engineers, according to a […]
IFAI Expo and R+T Show Organizer, Messe Stuttgart, to Co-locate Trade Shows Starting in 2021
September 21st, 2020
ROSEVILLE, MN—Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) and Messe Stuttgart, organizers of R+T in Stuttgart, Germany; R+T Turkey in Istanbul, Turkey; R+T Asia in Shanghai, China and R+T South America in Sao Paulo, Brazil, are pleased to announce that they will co-locate IFAI Expo with Messe Stuttgart’s new U.S. show named Sun Shading Expo North America […]
APPI explains energy contracts
September 3rd, 2020
By Kathryn Allen, APPI Energy (Editor’s note: APPI energy services are included in the membership benefit package offered by Industrial Fabrics Association International. The following information was compiled by APPI to help explain their services.) APPI Energy provides our clients a comprehensive way to reduce energy expenses and create budget certainty. Unbiased and independent, we […]
Innovating products for a COVID-19 marketplace
September 1st, 2020
The ELY side blind from BAT Group is designed to help restaurants and other hospitality venues optimize indoor and outdoor spaces safely. Photo: BAT Group. The word pivot will go down as an industry buzzword for 2020, but in sailing, the equivalent term is tack or jibe. Dimension-Polyant (DP), a leader in the production of […]