Tent Umbrella
Needs vs Wants when it comes to Tents, Awnings, Umbrellas and Fabric Structures
I’ve been involved in the fabric structure industry since 1985 when I came upon an issue of Progressive Architecture featuring 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 were being “enclosed” with state of the art air structures 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 photo voltaic (PV) thin films on membranes are the talk of the industry now. Even the Haj Terminal is receiving 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” is the key word 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 New Architecture?
When it comes to fabric structures, the major issue for consumers as of late is the dilemma of “want” versus “need”. Many find fabric structures a luxury item; something that adds additional value or “iconic stature” to ones location. Others find it a necessity; something required that serves a specific purpose and improves the quality of life.
Unfortunately, the plan for a fabric structure may be the first thing eliminated during Design Development (DD) or Value Engineering (VE) because one may see it as a “want” rather than a “need”.
Honestly, who needs a fabric structure? The answer – We alldo.
In today’s society, not to mention economy, people need to make money (job or business), save money (reduce spending, pay down debt) and stay healthy (otherwise you won’t be able to make or save money).
We build fabric structures in order to create income producing venues for people to shop, have community gatherings, and be entertained and so much more. The structures provide an economic benefit by reducing our energy consumption and a health benefit by limiting our exposure to the sun’s harmful Ultraviolet (UV) rays. With a fabric structure, we can improve the quality of life!
Fabric Structures can be utilized for a number of reasons. They can provide value and a return on investment (ROI) very quickly. For example, Amphitheaters with fabric structures covering the stage or audience can be bought, sold or rented and has more value than an outdoor performance facility without a cover. Another area can be parking. Parking areas that have a fabric structure covering and protecting cars can provide additional revenue for airport, mass transit, retail center, and stadium operators.
Fabric Structures can be used as exterior shading devices or textile facades to reduce the amount of heat gain on a building thus reducing utility costs. They can also be environmentally friendly when the structures are designed to collect water for reuse in bathrooms or for landscaping uses.
Design Now for Later
Some of these benefits may just be wants for now but will likely be mandated or required by code in the near future. It may indeed be wiser to include them now in your next design than wait until later when the costs may have risen significantly. If you choose to wait, then you should at least plan for your fabric structure by incorporating foundations or anchors for future installation.
Many planned projects that were put on hold for months or even years are now being reconsidered. This provides new opportunities for the construction industry to revisit projects which were originally over budget. Now, is a good time to get a fresh quote from contractors looking for work.
Whichever situation you are in, it’s never too early to plan. In the construction industry, there is a drive to encourage early planning and “cooperative designing.” One should assemble all the key players in a project as early as possible including the Client, Designer, Engineer, Manufacturer, Fabricator, Installer, etc. People are eager to help and eager to get back to work.
It’s a great time to start building again.
About the Author
Samuel J Armijos is a Vice President of Sales for FabriTec, a leading design/build firm specializing in Fabric Structures with offices in Texas, California and New Jersey. A graduate of New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Mr. Armijos has been involved in the Tension Structure field since 1987. Mr. Armijos has coordinated the design, engineering and construction of a variety of fabric structures around the world from Costa Rica to Bangkok and New York to California. Mr. Armijos is a member of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) and a contributing writer to Fabric Architecture. He was a Visiting Professor in the School of Architecture at Philadelphia University from1993 to1996. He has presented his AIA approved Continuing Education presentation on Architectural Fabric Structures to a number of firms nationwide and has spoken at many AIA, IFAI and Fabric Structure symposiums. He is author of Fabric Architecture published by W.W. Norton.
Marie Digby live @ nbc tent singing “Umbrella”
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