Parisian building features advanced shading

March 1, 2018  |  Projects

The unique façade of the Be Open building, the showpiece of a new complex in Paris’ Rive Gauche development area, features an undulating form that seems to change in color and shape as the sun and sky evolve throughout the day. Designed by the architectural firm Brenac & Gonzalez & As…
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Engaging and retaining employees: management practices that pay off

January 1, 2018  |  Projects

Like many industries that rely on skilled workers, the specialty fabrics industry is facing a shortage of qualified personnel. As manufacturers and fabricators develop recruitment efforts to attract the next-generation workforce, management must simultaneously find strategies to retain the employees…
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Building relationships with architects can improve fabric structure businesses

November 1, 2017  |  Projects

Want to do more business with architects? Mary Gilmore, AIA, NCIDQ, and Mark Shellshear, Structure Fabrics, Value Vinyls Inc., have many ideas. Gilmore and Shellshear shared those ideas Sept. 26 at IFAI Expo 2017. Gilmore noted, “Architects are very busy. Cold calls don’t work. They are very vis…
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ETFE foil cushions offer cloud-like shade

October 1, 2017  |  Projects

It’s only appropriate that the design for a building dedicated to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration should itself push the envelope on creativity. So it is with the new Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship, currently under construction at the I…
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‘Knitted light’ produces a photo-luminescent glow

September 1, 2017  |  Projects

For the last 18 years, the Young Architects Program at The Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1 in Manhattan has sponsored a design competition for emerging architects. The challenge was to develop a creative design for a temporary outdoor installation that provides shade, seating and water. Guidelines…
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Translucent velodrome offers natural ventilation and lighting

August 1, 2017  |  Projects

The Queensland State Velodrome is a new indoor track facility in Queensland, Australia. This facility will play a major role in the staging of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games™ in 2018, hosting the track cycling competition. The velodrome, located alongside the Brisbane Super X BMX Track at the S…
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Impressive entrance welcomes Australian shoppers

July 1, 2017  |  Projects

The Pacific Fair Porte Cochere is the impressive entrance structure that acts as the main entry point to the newly renovated $670 million Pacific Fair Shopping Centre in Queensland, Australia. The entrance structure is an extension of the fabric architecture applied to the resort section of the faci…
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Sunset paradise

April 1, 2017  |  Projects

Imagine sitting poolside on a beautiful summer afternoon outside your luxury home just before sunset. If you are imagining the scenario without a custom contoured awning, the sun will be in your eyes and sweat will be on your brow. Sunmaster of Naples, Naples, Fla., helped a client achieve the perfe…
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