Case Studies Archives

Three-span retractable patio cover

March 1, 2014 | Case Studies

By Mark Zeh The owners of a stone manor-style home in upstate New York were seeking to transform their patio, situated in a large garden, into a place that could be enjoyed and used for entertainment year-round. Key requirements were a large, retractable cover that would protect against sun glare, h…

Extreme architecture

February 1, 2014 | Case Studies, Features

Despite worldwide climate issues, fabric structures meet environmental challenges. By Bruce N. Wright, AIA With news of a 100-year “polar vortex” in the midwestern United States, increasing tsunami destruction in the Caribbean and coastal Japan and typhoons in Southeast Asia, one could b…

Complex design, ageless beauty

February 1, 2014 | Case Studies, Features

A modern greenhouse ETFE dome grows with the use of 3-D modeling software. By Kelly Frush The botanical gardens in Aarhus, Denmark, have a lot of history. They were first developed in 1875 as a way to showcase thousands of species to its visitors. In 1969, a greenhouse dome was constructed to allow …

Diamond in the shade

February 1, 2014 | Exteriors

By Bruce N. Wright, AIA The late Annette Funicello may once have frolicked on Waikiki Beach while filming one of her iconic beach party films with Frankie Avalon, but many of her generation can now enjoy a protected view of Diamond Head volcano from the Maunalani Nursing Home and Rehab Center not fa…

A shade ensemble offers privacy with a view

January 1, 2014 | Exteriors, Features

By Katherine Carlson A street-level condominium courtyard lacked the privacy for dining, swimming and relaxation, and the owner, who used the condo for high-end holiday rental, looked to Shades (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Phuket, Thailand, to transform a fishbowl into an oasis. The maker of shades and free…

Retail awning design serves many purposes

January 1, 2014 | Exteriors, Features

Bike shop fabric structure simulates amphitheater, protects from rain and sun, and gives retailer a competitive edge. By Mark Zeh The Bike Route is one of the hubs of the local bicycling community in Naples, Fla. It sits in a typical American retail setting, fronted by a paved parking lot, which dir…

The versatility of fabric for shade

December 1, 2013 | Case Studies, Exteriors, Features, Interiors

From urban renewal to water conservation to alfresco elegance, the benefits of shade structures cover a lot of ground. By Sigrid Tornquist There’s something about a well-designed textile shade structure that acts like an invitation. Whether the structure is angular or curved, freestanding or a…

The Souk Okaz

December 1, 2013 | Case Studies, Exteriors, Features

Tensile membrane design recalls rich cultural history. By Julie Swiler Located in the Mecca Province, on the slopes of the Sarawat Mountains in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, lies the city of Taif. With fresh mountain air and beautiful scenery, the city of 500,000 is a popular getaway from the intense…

Motorized retractable roof stands up to elements

December 1, 2013 | Exteriors, Features

By Kathy Carlson When the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), needed to enclose a large courtyard to be able to use the space year-round, they turned to J. Miller Canvas Inc. of Santa Ana, Calif., to make it happen. The solution: a motorized, sliding panel roof system, engineered to be c…

Safety Components awning project wins IAA Award