Networks of influence: Blurring the roles between engineers and architects

July 1, 2008  |  Features, Structure Basics

A student of Otto explains how she teaches the basics. By Mark Zeh More than in any other branch of architecture, the creation of cables and membrane structures requires coöperative work and a blurring of roles between engineers and architects. Recently I talked with Prof Dr. –Ing. Rosema…
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Pioneering the field: The founding father of the fabric tension structure industry

July 1, 2008  |  Features

Frei Otto is considered by many to be the founding father of the existing fabric tension structure industry. By Jean Cook Many in the fabric tensile structure industry agree with such estimation. In lectures or discussions about the history of this relatively new industry, Otto’s name invariab…
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Jeffersonian geometry

July 1, 2008  |  Features

Architecture students at the University of Virginia abandon traditional construction methods. U Virginia founding father Thomas Jefferson would be proud. By Paula Feigum Each spring, University of Virginia students embark on a journey with Professor Earl Mark to discover the widening horizons of fab…
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Canopy uplifts NYC

July 1, 2008  |  Exteriors, Features

Tentnology erects an elegant canopy for NYC’s subway station in front of the World Trade Center memorial site. By Brianna Bowne In New York City, adjacent to Manhattan’s most poignant site, a massive white canopy has watched over the comings and goings of subway patrons since September 2…
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Walkway canopies provide sheltered environment for travelers

July 1, 2008  |  Exteriors, Features

By Maqsood Ahmed At the specialty structures division of Halcrow Yolles, every request comes with unique challenges. Airport Architects Canada, — the architects for the Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Canada — had the challenge of designing the fast track, re-locatable walkways t…
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Fabric shades enliven restaurant patio

July 1, 2008  |  Exteriors, Features

Adding a string of undulating fabric shades enlivens, and makes bearable, a champion restaurant patio. Mojito’s Café is part of the United States Tennis Association’s National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadow Park, New York. In fact, it’s attached to the Arthur Ashe Stadium …
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Fabric structures shield members from errant golf balls

July 1, 2008  |  Exteriors, Features

A prestigious country club in Oregon calls for fabric structures to protect members and their expensive cars from errant golf balls. By Kent Hubbell In April 2005, I received a call from Howard McKee, architect for Bandon Dunes Resort, saying he had a problem that he thought I might be interested in…
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Wind dam designed to deploy fabric sail

May 1, 2008  |  Case Studies, Features

A fabric sail-fan combination aims to take advantage of a unique geological setting for sustainable purposes. By Helen Elias When it comes to the latest thinking in new ways to provide renewable power, it all comes down to the fabric specified —in this case, a large wind dam designed to deploy…
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Architectural membrane workshop to take place in May

May 1, 2008  |  Features

The 13th international workshop on the design and practical realization of architectural membrane structures will take place this May at the Technical University of Berlin. Invited lecturers this year include Dr.-Ing. Rainer Blum (Stuttgart), Prof. Wujun Chen (Shanghai), Ms. Dr. Deepali Hadker (Mumb…
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Textile shades protect balconies and apartments

May 1, 2008  |  Exteriors, Features

A compact cluster of low-cost apartments soaks up sun and sea on the Mediterranean. Slovenia has a southern coast on the Adriatic Sea that neatly tucks in between Italy and Hrvatska east of Italy. Although it faces northwest and therefore doesn’t quite get the intensity of sun that a Valencia,…
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