Education under fabric dome

August 28, 2014  |  Case Studies, Features

Titanium-oxide-coated PTFE membrane over children’s museum is translucent and self-cleaning. By Bruce N. Wright, AIA Known as Centro Ambar to Tijuana natives, the Ambar Interactive Center in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, was built by the government of Tijuana with support from the state an…
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Retractable fabric structures expand market growth

August 28, 2014  |  Exteriors, Features

Retractable fabric systems are poised to effectively transform and commercialize outdoor space. By Mason Riddle So you thought retractable fabric structures were a late 20th century phenomenon sheltering sports stadia, outdoor shopping malls, and en plein air cafés? Think again. Forms of retr…
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High-end fabric canopy for high-end shopping mall

August 28, 2014  |  Exteriors, Features

High-performing retractable fabric canopy offers strength, pliability, style and comfort. By Peter Katcha Bal Harbour Shops in Miami Beach, Fla., is superlative in every respect. The prestigious open-air shopping mall has the highest sales per square foot of any shopping center in the world. It feat…
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Betting on an ETFE porte-cochere

August 1, 2014  |  Case Studies, Features

New York casino uses two-layer ETFE application with pneumatic system. By Katherine Carlson Gambling is a game of chance, and when the Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway in New York planned a $50 million expansion, project managers bet on a knock-your-socks-off entryway design to invite and excit…
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Multi-use architectural fabrics score at 2014 World Cup stadiums

August 1, 2014  |  Case Studies, Features

Three of the newest soccer arenas in the world incorporate fabric to meet tensile architecture, bioclimatic facade, and acoustic needs for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. By Jake Kulju World Cup excitement reached a fever pitch in the summer of 2014 when soccer giant Brazil hosted the global even…
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Fabric “skins” for building exteriors

August 1, 2014  |  Exteriors, Features

The challenge is finding the right materials in architectural applications. By Bruce N. Wright, AIA Is the building cladding going to be massive and highly insulated, or is it going to be layer upon layer of thin insulating materials? Will the south and west sides be completely glazed or mostly opaq…
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Under the fabric roof

June 30, 2014  |  Case Studies, Features

Fabric structures designed for storage, warehousing and shelter can be as durable as brick-and-mortar structures, and far more flexible. By Bruce Wright, AIA With the construction of fabric structures consistently meeting—and often exceeding—stringent building codes, you’d think th…
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Fabric defense

June 30, 2014  |  Case Studies, Features

Fabric shelter systems protect valuable aircraft, equipment and military personnel in Afghanistan. By Clare Wilson Durable fabric relocatable military buildings, temporary hangars, aircraft shelters, storage warehouses, and sunshades are designed to be rapidly deployed and quickly constructed anywhe…
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Phifer “Green” shade fabrics

June 30, 2014  |  Case Studies

Made with DOW ECOLIBRIUM™ bio-based plasticizers, Phifer’s SheerWeave Style 4000 Series fabrics combine the durability of vinyl-coated polyester with the latest in green vinyl technology for a next-generation, eco-friendly shading solution that offers responsible light management and ene…
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Opera roof makeover

June 30, 2014  |  Exteriors

The theater’s recently completed rebuilding program replaced a 1960s era roof with a 55,000 sq ft fabric tensile roof. By Frank Edgerton Martin Sopot Opera LeÅ›na (also known as the Forest Opera) is one of Poland’s most famous outdoor theaters and one of the most beautiful in Europe. …
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