Transit passenger shade

November 1, 2015  |  Case Studies, Exteriors

Tension fabric panels mark new rail extension The Valley Metro Rail Line in Mesa, Ariz., recently expanded its light rail transit (LRT) service to four new stations and a park-and-ride facility along a 3.1-mile route. The Central Mesa LRT Extension went “live” on Aug. 22, but not without a coher…
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Major shading at major tennis event

October 1, 2015  |  Case Studies, Exteriors

Stadium gets temporary fabric shades for the 2015 US Open. While the world’s best tennis players battled on the court of Arthur Ashe Stadium at the 2015 US Open, HDPE shade fabric was saving the day above the court. In a technological first, the US Open is having a retractable roof with a stand-al…
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‘Fly’ bridge

September 1, 2015  |  Case Studies, Landscapes

Fabric sails add shade and aesthetics to pedestrian bridge. The Galveston Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge in Chandler, Ariz., offers walkers and bikers a safe route over Arizona State Route 101. Completed in January 2014, it is laid out in a sleek S-curve and includes elements of fabric sails a…
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Fabric shades protect ice rink

August 1, 2015  |  Case Studies, Exteriors

A goal of the restoration of New York City’s Riverbank State Park ice rink, completed in December 2014, was to extend the season of the ice by protecting it from increased sun exposure it experiences in late winter. Considering the facility’s high visibility due to its location—69 feet above t…
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Lessons in community, ecology

July 1, 2015  |  Case Studies, Landscapes

Fabric roof hovers over spaces used for environmental teaching. By Kathy Carlson The Longbush Ecosanctuary protects native plants, birds and wildlife in a rare lowland bush near Gisbourne, on New Zealand’s eastern coast. Longbush Ecological Trust wanted an inviting environmental education space to…
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Shade goes to work for Walgreens

June 1, 2015  |  Case Studies, Exteriors

HDPE shade structure meets requirements for sun protection. By Kathy Carlson It is long, shallow and the only shade in sight. A&R Tarpaulins Inc., Fontana, Calif., installs shade cloth for many residential and commercial applications, but less frequently gets requests to shade industrial spaces,…
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Function meets beauty

May 4, 2015  |  Case Studies, Exteriors

Torch-shaped fabric canopies light way for Staten Island commuters. By Kathy Carlson The elegant array of 12 torch-shaped canopies glowing with diffused lights has made the St. George Staten Island Ferry Terminal a more functional–and beautiful–way for commuters to experience New York’s landsc…
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Powerful fabric

April 1, 2015  |  Exteriors, Features

Tensile structure featuring photovoltaics creates positive energy for carpark. The Solar Cloth Company, based in Cambridge, UK, has developed a unique architectural solution for tensile structures that combines visually striking design with high-yield Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). These …
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Fabric and light

March 1, 2015  |  Case Studies, Features

Getting creative with textiles and architecture. By Lynn Keillor Today’s retail stores are an array of color-popping advertising displays. Most backlit displays are not made of film or some sort of vellum, but of a tightly woven, printed fabric. Eric Tischer, president of Randolph, N.J.-based …
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Moveable glass and fabric facade

January 1, 2015  |  Case Studies

Louvers create stunning architectural detail while blocking sun glare. By Juli Swiler For its new headquarters, built outside of Bern, Switzerland, SBB Railway wanted to create a unique facade. The company also wanted to save energy and provide its employees with a superior working environment. All …
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