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Shade sails find a place in the sun

September 1, 2021  |  Features

For something that’s been around for thousands of years—as far back as the Roman Colosseum, if not longer—shade sails in North America have a reputation as “the new kid on the block.” While using tensioned sails to provide shade for both commercial and residential structures has been a fun…
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Birdair installs tensile roof retrofit

September 1, 2021  |  Features

Custom membrane provider Birdair Inc. has brought a modern look to a shopping mall in Lancaster, Pa., with the installation of a retrofitted Tensotherm™ translucent insulated tensioned membrane system. The three-layer Tensotherm roof replaced a single-layer tensile membrane roof Birdair installed …
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Covering climate change

August 1, 2021  |  Features

Broiling summers, harsh winters, drought, fires, hurricanes—climate change is making life harder, more fraught and dangerous for people across the globe. While political leaders and governments argue over policies and regulations, the specialty fabrics industry is stepping up to devise products to…
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2021 State of the Industry

August 1, 2021  |  Features

The full 2021 State of the Industry report will be available for purchase later this year at the IFAI e-store, www.IFAI.com/estore. The full report takes a deep dive into business types and market segments. Introduction to the research This research highlights findings from more than 300 members of …
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Up against a wall

July 1, 2021  |  Features

Wallpaper has been around for centuries—since the 16th century to be exact. In its earliest iterations, wallpaper was printed on paper in monochrome black ink, and color soon followed with the introduction of polychrome block printing. Eventually, in the late 1960s/early 1970s, vinyl wallpaper too…
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Donato Fraioli continues ASATI’s tradition of innovation

July 1, 2021  |  Features

The news headlines were alarming. Just before Christmas 2003, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that a case of deadly mad cow disease had been reported in Washington state.  Halfway across the country, animal disease scientists working in Ames, Iowa, faced a double whammy. Not only w…
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Putting the art in fabric architecture

June 1, 2021  |  Features

A successful work of public art today should not be treated as an object sitting in the environment; rather it should be interpreted as the environment. —James Wines, American artist and architect James Wines is known as a provocative artist who creates building-sized installations that some would…
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Mobile exhibition glows with Sattler membrane fabric

June 1, 2021  |  Features

From its forests to its flag, the state of Styria fulfills its reputation as the “green heart of Austria.” Now, a glowing green pavilion is helping tell the region’s story.  Examining the past, present and future of Styria, the “Showing Styria” exhibition is presented in three museums…
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Digital revolution transforms fabric structures

May 1, 2021  |  Features

New software and computer-driven fabrication speed production and improve accuracy. by Bruce N. Wright, FAIA While CNC (computer numerical control) and 3D digitally driven fabrication have been trumpeted in the design and construction press over the past 10 to 15 years, another revolution has been q…
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Scott Sutherland: Ready for anything

May 1, 2021  |  Features

In the summer of 2020, Scott Sutherland was elated with record-shattering sales, but he was also in a situation he had never imagined: out of aluminum, out of fabric, out of nearly every component used to make tents. The pandemic roller coaster had sent the event tent industry from a bust to a boom,…
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