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“Cool” awning
April 1st, 2004
The headquarters of a downtown St. Louis-based graphic design firm was transformed from a bland storefront to a functional and stylish façade with the design of a distinctive, oversized awning. The 6m-by-4.6m, two-story glass, single-glazed curtain wall faced squarely west—directly into the harsh glare of the afternoon sun; the cost-prohibitive replacement with a double-glazed curtain […]
Awning “sculpture”
April 1st, 2004
This commercial awning project located in Little Rock, Ark. won an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Industrial Fabrics Association International. Designed for the front entrance of the Hillcrest Art Gallery, the awning was created in concert with the client’s wish for a “sculpture” of four vividly-colored fabric cubes connected by a black box valance that […]
Parkside shade structure
April 1st, 2004
Taylor’s Hill is a rapidly growing residential suburb located 25km to the northwest of Melbourne, Australia. Oasis Tension Structures was commissioned to design and construct an appealing shade structure over seating in a communal parkland and sports precinct. Ground Control Landscape Architects, one of Australia’s leading practices, had created an Olympic theme for the site […]
Patio canopy and soffit
April 1st, 2004
This patio canopy was designed to provide weather protection for hotel patrons while maintaining a very high aesthetic standard for a world class hotel. Concealed trusswork hides special roller curtains that can be lowered during inclement weather. Stainless steel cables keep the curtains in place, even on windy days, and a taut ceiling liner hides […]
Canopy “break away” ties
April 1st, 2004
A fabric covered courtyard canopy at a large high-rise office complex in Houston required specially designed “break away” roof attachments. The detail involved using a combination D-ring and extra-high tensile strength nylon zip ties calculated to break at the required high winds release measure of 112km/hr. The fabric roof has tabs sewn underneath which hold […]
Interior toldos—sliding shades
April 1st, 2004
The new Salt Lake City Library features a simple, but effective bit of ancient technology normally found outside. A six-story interior atrium links the interior spaces of all levels of the library with the outside, including the Children’s Library located in the basement. But while the atrium opens up each level to nature, it creates […]
Fabric roof drain
April 1st, 2004
Viennese architect Silja Tillner has designed a delicate retractable canopy for the Vienna City Hall courtyard that respects the historic building it covers. When the canopy is fully extended, the accordion-folds provide numerous ridges and valleys that collect rainwater. To drain the water properly, the architect, with engineers Schlaich Bergermann und Partner, developed this simple […]
Transportable environments 2
January 1st, 2004
Reviewed by Rob MacDonald R. Buckminster Fuller once said that there are two types of people; those that “stay put” and the others who “just keep on moving West.” Transportable Environments 2 is most definitely concerned with the architecture of the latter. All global nomads, movers and the new techno-shakers will find much of interest […]
Japanese fabric companies attempt to develop substitute for PVC
March 1st, 2003
 By Kikuko Tagawa Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is an extremely popular material used in a wide variety of applications, including construction, industrial fabrics, filtration, medical products, food wraps, toys, and many others. This inexpensive material combines strength and workability and excels in weatherability and chemical resistance. PVC appears to be the ideal material for many […]
Awning and canopy design basics
April 1st, 2002
Distinguishing between an “awning” and a “canopy” is easy—though agreeing upon the distinguishing characteristic(s) is not. There is no definitive rule. Clients, fabricators, designers and architects may see the same form but disagree on the name. One common approach defines an awning as the structure providing coverage for a window, whereas a canopy provides coverage […]