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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Safety Components awning project wins IAA Award

December 1, 2013  |  Exteriors, Features

A commercial awning project using Safety Components’ WeatherMax outdoor performance fabric received an International Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Commercial Awnings and Canopies, more than 900 sq. ft. category. The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) ann…
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J&J Carter’s Eco Dam wins Innovation Excellence Award

December 1, 2013  |  Features

At the annual awards dinner for the 2013 Inspire Business Awards, J&J Carter was presented the Innovation Excellence Award for, among others, its Eco-Dam flood defense product. J&J Carter Ltd., founded in 1988, specializes in the design and building of tensile structures. The company has div…
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Shade for this Irish hospital is no accident

November 1, 2013  |  Exteriors, Features

A dynamic fabric canopy for an accident and emergency unit at the Enniskillen Acute Hospital matches the high-level precision and artistic quality of the building. By Bruce Wright, AIA A new acute care hospital in Enniskillen, Ireland, is one of the most advanced healthcare facilities in Europe. The…
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Buildings that respond and react

November 1, 2013  |  Exteriors, Features

Research illuminates the possibilities for creating textile second building skins that can be “controlled” by the environment and user preferences. By Elena Vlasceanu Structures are designed and built to offer people protection and comfort. New research seeks to change views concerning h…
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The form and function of an architectural ‘sail’

November 1, 2013  |  Features

Iconic Newport Beach Civic Center designed with expanded PTFE By Peter Katcha The city of Newport Beach is one of the most attractive communities on the west coast. Its beaches, peninsulas and islands host a bustling residential community and is a popular tourist destination. The community is sectio…
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A new shade for a new arena

October 1, 2013  |  Exteriors, Features

Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures created a cool, dry area for zoo guests. By Kelly Frush Shading a new arena at the St. Louis Zoo turned out to be a demanding yet gratifying project for Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures of St. Louis, Mo. The St. Louis Zoo tasked Lawrence Fabric & Meta…
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