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Made in the shade
September 1st, 2024
A historical mansion in Healdsburg, Calif., near Santa Rosa, built in 1883 with some of that era’s famous gold rush money, served as a private residence through two world wars and long after until the estate was turned into a bed and breakfast in the 1980s. A more recent change in owners triggered another remodeling and […]
Mesh seats keep soccer fans cooler in Houston heat
September 1st, 2024
Images: Serge Ferrari Keeping cool in Houston, Texas, is practically a year-round endeavor, as temps can hit the 90s F even in the spring. One way the new owners of the Houston Dynamo Football Club addressed fan comfort in their stadium redo was by converting its seats from plastic chairs to mesh fabric from Serge […]
Textile recycling confronts hurdles of cost, scalability
September 1st, 2024
At the Sweden-based Siptex textile recycling facility, the sorting machines use near-infrared and visual spectroscopy to take mixed textile waste and sort the items by fiber type. These bales are ready for their next processing step, whether that’s chemical or mechanical recycling. Image: Siptex Textile waste is a massive problem throughout the world. The European […]
Getting to know the next generation
September 1st, 2024
Employers face many challenges stemming from the diverse needs and expectations of their workforce’s four distinct generations. Rising health care costs, living expenses, and evolving needs mandate reevaluating traditional employee benefits offerings. By catering to each generation’s specific needs and preferences, employers can foster a culture of support and engagement that transcends age barriers and […]
Recyclable carpet with lower amounts of flame retardants
September 1st, 2024
Pictured is a reactor in the polymer pilot plant of the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) in Denkendorf, Germany. Image: DITF The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) and the Institut für Bodensysteme (Institute for Soil Systems, or TFI) have developed a concept that reduces the number of flame retardants […]
Lacemaking tradition inspires 3D-knit sculpture
September 1st, 2024
To create the Common Thread sculpture, design studio SO – IL used black and white rPET yarn knit at different ratios to create the varying shades of gray. The yarn was made from recycled bottles and knit with a Steiger industrial knitting machine. It took three months to create, and installation at the secluded site […]
Taking flight
August 1st, 2024
Upon approaching the Dayton Metro Library West Branch, viewers notice the building’s soaring rooflines, which echo the historic Wright Company Factory (within view in the background) where the Wright Brothers developed their commercially viable airplanes. One can imagine hearing the sounds from the past with the test fields spread wide behind the library. Two triangular […]
Making a name for themselves
August 1st, 2024
Amphitheater acoustics Birdair designed a high-performance, lightweight 50,000-square-foot tensile membrane roof reminiscent of manta rays for The Sound amphitheater in Clearwater, Fla. Image: Birdair Inc. Outdoor amphitheaters often are beacons for arts aficionados who enjoy listening to music or watching artistic performances in the great outdoors. While an amphitheater’s proper placement is paramount, the architectural […]
A tent as a permanent event center
August 1st, 2024
In 2023 DoubleTree Hotel in Chesterfield, Mo., found that installing a permanent, climate-controlled tent could add a 400-capacity event center to its offerings without the time frames and expense that would have been needed for constructing a whole new bricks-and-mortar building. The tent structure was designed and installed by Traube Tent Co. Inc. based out […]
Value Vinyls Inc. promotes Marc Shellshear to president
August 1st, 2024
Marc Shellshear, Value Vinyls Inc. new president. Image: Value Vinyls Inc. Value Vinyls Inc., a specialty textiles and fabrics provider based in Grand Prairie, Texas, announced the promotion of Marc Shellshear to president. Shellshear brings over 30 years of extensive experience in operations, sales and marketing across multiple industries including specialty textiles, fabric and shade […]