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Rigging checklist
January 1st, 1970
By Bruce N. Wright, AIA Pattons, the Australian event structures fabricator, has more than 60 years of experience creating transportable performance venues. Here is the company’s checklist of considerations when designing a portable structure: Performance structures need to be engineered to withstand the extreme weather conditions in Australia. Structures need to be lightweight — usually […]
A checklist for portables
January 1st, 1970
By Bruce N. Wright, AIA At minimum, when designing for portability in a fabric structure, architects and designers should keep in mind a number of basic concepts and key questions. “Concerning portable structures,” says Nicholas Goldsmith, FAIA, LEED AP, senior design principal with FTL Design Engineering Studio, “one has to ask how long the portable […]
ETFE’s environmental benefits
January 1st, 1970
By Frank Edgerton Martin Architects Luisa Badía and Néstor Soldate explain that because of its light weight, ETFE has lower embedded energy costs in shipment and installation. The Vitam’Parc project meets French HQE (High Environmental Quality) objectives by reducing the visual impact on the landscape through the organic “freedom of form” afforded by ETFE. The […]
Technical considerations of ETFE
January 1st, 1970
By Frank Edgerton Martin L35 offers the following technical information on the fabrication of the ETFE bubbles and their attachment to the underlying structure, both key details for long-term durability: “Each cushion or ‘bubble’ is made up of three layers of thermically welded ETFE membrane. The thickness of the two exterior layers is 250 μm; […]
Supporting air-supported domes in cold climates
January 1st, 1970
By Barb Ernster The air-supported membrane for the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome sports stadium in Minneapolis held up impressively through Minnesota’s harsh winters, but in 2010—after 28 years—a record-breaking heavy, wet snow caused the membrane to tear and deflate. It was replaced in 2011 with the same St. Gobain […]
ETFE in architecture: What is it and how is it being used?
January 1st, 1970
By Edward M Peck, AIA, LEED AP ETFE is a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene and is known as a “tough polymer.” It was pioneered by DuPont more than 40 years prior to its architectural debut in Europe in the early 1980s. DuPont developed the fluorocarbon-based polymer to have high corrosion and chemical resistance, structural […]
Defining responsive textiles and reactive façade systems
January 1st, 1970
To make the terms “responsive” and “reactive” more understandable, a look at common approaches to shading systems is necessary. By Elena Vlasceanu Recent innovations in parametric architecture allow for finely controlled and adapted façade systems that react to diverse building and user needs. The control of the elements refers to both their shape and production […]
Fabric catches power of the sun
January 1st, 1970
Solar energy-collecting fabric products can impact energy use—and make businesses in the industry successful. By Todd Dalland Coal and oil have superbly fueled and helped enable the extraordinary growth of modern civilization. Their supply is reaching its peak, though, and will soon start to decline—while our population continues to grow and its energy needs increase. […]
What not to do
January 1st, 1970
When installing fabric structures, it’s important to consider the conditions. By Bruce N. Wright, AIA There are some basic no-nos when it comes to installing a fabric structure, and temperature and weather conditions are right up there at the top. “Don’t install fabrics in high winds or under 50 degrees Fahrenheit because the behavior of […]
Insulating for the elements
January 1st, 1970
For fabric roofs, R-values can be obtained in a number of ways, depending on light transmission needs. By Bruce N. Wright, AIA Like most wall systems in architecture, the R-value is a function of building up layers of materials that have different insulative values as well as water imperviousness. This holds true for fabric roofs, […]