From sustainability to green initiatives, the architecture and construction industries are under great pressure to reduce the environmental impact of their projects. To support design and development professionals, the fabric architecture community continues to develop innovative and less-impactful options to the traditional methodologies and materials that have been used for generations. Tensile fabric structures are a dynamic solution that increases energy efficiency and reduces construction waste contributions.
Adapt and Reuse Instead of Demolish and Replace
To make a significant contribution to responsible design and construction efforts, it’s important to consider your options from the beginning of a project. It’s estimated that nearly 40% of all carbon added to the atmosphere is directly related to the construction and operation of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. New constructions add significantly to this statistic because they often require the demolition of old buildings before new ones can break ground.
Architect Carl Elefante once said, “the greenest building is the one that already exists.” Operating from this core concept, many organizations are looking at the powerful impact of preservation and renovation when it comes to sustainability.
The Preservation Green Lab of the National Trust for Historic Preservation reports that the majority of energy efficient buildings (in a range of climates) will take between 20 and 30 years for their efficient operations to compensate for the initial carbon impacts of construction. Therefore, responsible design starts with a thorough consideration of whether the existing structure can be retrofitted, adapted, and reused.
Renovate and Modernize with Tensile Fabric Structures
If the structure is sound but simply outdated, tensile fabric structures (especially tensile facades) offer endless solutions for adding both style and functionality to aging structures – helping you achieve your project goals while supporting your environmentally friendly practices. Advances in material technologies and building techniques are providing property developers with exciting ways to reimagine their architectural building facade without the overwhelming cost and waste of traditional raze-and-rebuild or exterior renovation methods.
Tensile facades empower architects to step beyond the confines of the building’s original framework to create an architectural building facade that becomes iconic. From experimenting with the shape of the building to integrating with the surrounding style of revitalized neighborhoods, building projects can substantially reduce their environmental impact by first considering less-disruptive (yet awe-inspiring options) for updating the building’s exterior with tensile fabric structures.
Evolve and Perform with Energy Efficient Adaptations
In addition to minimizing environmental impact with a renovation instead of demolition, tensile fabric structures allow architects and developers to substantially improve the building’s performance and energy efficiency.
In their various forms – including tension structures to tensile facades to retractable awnings – tensile fabric structures offer exceptional flexibility for incorporating architectural shading solutions into your design, which reduces the building’s energy requirements for air conditioning and artificial light during the day.
Curious About Minimizing Environmental Impact with Tensile Fabric Structures and Facades?
In the Tension Structures Division of Eide Industries, we specialize in design, engineering, manufacturing, and installation of structurally complex and creatively challenging commercial, government, and prototype design projects. Our expertise with tensile facade systems and tension structures supports architects, designers, general contractors, and building owners in their efforts to bring custom tensile membrane projects to life.
Explore the options for your next project by calling 800-422-6827.