I’ve been involved in the fabric structure industry since 1985 when I came upon an issue of Progressive Architecture featuring white tension fabric structures made of Teflon coated fiberglass. The Haj Terminal in Saudi Arabia was on the cover of construction magazines all over the world and the idea of creating “modern tents” for the modern nomad was on the horizon.
Sport stadiums, like the recently collapsed Metrodome, were being “enclosed” with state of the artair structure technology and even the traditional camping and party tent was getting a makeover. Materials like vinyl coated polyester, silicone coated fiberglass and even spandex were being used in retail malls, Olympic venues and commercial buildings, just to name a few.
Twenty five years later, these unique structures continue to be seen around the world and there is no limit for its use. Retractable roofs, ETFE “nests” and “water cubes” and fabric structures covering amphitheaters like the Bank of America Pavilion are now quite common. Even the Haj Terminal received the 2010 AIA Twenty-Five Year Award which recognizes architectural designs that have stood the test of time for a quarter-century. However, the world is undergoing a major change. Money is tight and “sustainability” and “being green” are the key words in the building industry. Today, there are so many materials on the plate
for designers to choose from. How and why does one choose fabric? What is the future for fabric structures in the Northeast and the New England area? When it comes to fabric structures, the major issue for consumers is the dilemma of “want” versus “need” and perception. Many find fabric structures a luxury item. Others find it a necessity. Many feel fabric structures cannot be used in the Northeast because of snow and are the first thing eliminated during Design Development (DD) or Value Engineering (VE). Change is coming. Fabritec Structures, a design/build firm which specializes in fabric structures, recently was awarded a part in the replacement dome project for Vancouver’s BC Place, home of the recent winter Olympics. The one-time air structure needed to be replaced with what I call a “sustainable roof”. It will now have a roof made of three different materials providing more natural daylight than before, a new fixed “tensioned” roof to replace the costly air structure and a new retractable roof portion that provides natural ventilation and a view to the sky. That’s what I call going from white to green to blue. But, fabric structures are not all about dome stadiums and large airports. They come in all shapes and sizes and they are used in educational, healthcare, assisted living, commercial, institutional, retail, and industrial facilities, just to name a few. They can be designed as entry canopies, pedestrian walkway protection, shade structures and transit stations. Another area can be parking. Parking areas that have a fabric structure covering and protecting cars can provide additional revenue for hospitals, mass transit, retail, and schools.
Samuel J. Armijos is an archiect and VP at Fabritec Structures