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Khalifa International Stadium
January 1st, 2023
When the 2022 FIFA World Cup games arrived at Qatar’s Khalifa International Stadium, viewers saw an innovative and visually stunning roof system built by Birdair Inc. Qatar has the honor of hosting the first-ever World Cup in the Middle East, where the Khalifa stadium is one of eight that will host World Cup matches from […]
Parking structure punctuates Miami skyline
October 1st, 2021
Chemically inert PTFE fiberglass architectural membranes can tolerate climatic conditions ranging well outside the most extreme environments on earth and carry expected design lifespans of more than 30 years. Photo: Big Span Structures. Big Span Structures LLC, a provider of concept-to-completion solutions for signature lightweight tensile membrane structures, has completed a new tensile membrane shading […]
Denver’s ‘boomerang’ bus hub keeps visitors coming back
June 1st, 2019
By Bruce N. Wright, AIA There’s something about Denver, Colo., and the use of fabric structures. First came the Denver International Airport, with its iconic peaked fabric roof of the Jeppesen Terminal (1995) designed by Fentress Bradburn Architects. The conical skylights were reportedly inspired by the Rocky Mountains backdrop to the airport. Then, in 2014, […]
Architectural shading systems find new markets
February 1st, 2018
Ever since the 1970s back-to-earth, energy enlightenment era of oil embargoes and the beginning of the environmentalism movement, architects and government officials have acknowledged the importance of making ever more energy-efficient buildings. It has been proven that buildings (the construction of them and the manufacturing of all the materials that go into making and operating […]
Choice and innovation drive architectural fabric market
October 1st, 2017
What spurs innovation? Does the kernel of a new idea spring forth fully formed from the brow of a genius, or does it gestate over a long, arduous path involving sweat and heavy lifting? Maybe a bit of both, if you dig into the histories of new materials or processes. Often you will find that […]
Translucent velodrome offers natural ventilation and lighting
August 1st, 2017
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 Sleeman Sports Complex, is slated to provide […]
Iconic PTFE canopy greets and protects travelers
October 1st, 2016
The San Diego International Airport (SDIA) wanted to make life easier for travelers needing rental cars by providing a one-stop centralized hub that would be quick and easy to access. They developed the SDIA Rental Car Center, a two million square-foot complex that houses all car rental companies and vehicles and enables them to provide […]
Sun motif shade structure evident on riverside plaza
April 1st, 2016
A steel-cable net and PTFE and ETFE membrane structure holds up under heavy wind and snow loads. The Sun Island Resort is one of China’s favorite vacation spots. Because the city of Harbin (where Sun Island Resort is situated) is at a high latitude, it is cooler than the rest of the country in the […]
Sarasota airport to install Birdair canopies
February 1st, 2016
As part of an initiative to improve the facility, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport in Sarasota, Fla., will install three new PTFE fiberglass membrane barrel-vault canopy structures to its baggage claim, ticketing and curbside areas. The airport chose Buffalo, N.Y.-based Birdair to manage the design, fabrication and installation of the structures. The canopy system will feature […]
FabriTec Structures to design and construct canopy for FSU Doak Campbell Stadium
February 1st, 2016
FabriTec Structures LLC, a North American design/build contractor specializing in tension fabric structures, announced it has been selected to design, engineer, fabricate, supply and install two tensile membrane canopies supported by steel and cables at Florida State University’s Doak Campbell Stadium’s south end zone in accordance with the university’s plans to build a premium club […]