Building, architecture, and development in the post-Industrial Age has gone through massive changes, but the current revolution brought about by technology may be the greatest one thus far. While traditional building materials and methods are still commonly used, technology is rapidly transforming the field in almost every way imaginable. From design to energy use, building in the 21st century looks very different than it did in the 19th and 20th centuries.
One of the most intriguing recent transformations has to be the use of fabric as a building material. Here is a look at why 21st century architects, builders, and developers should consider fabric structures when they’re creating or choosing the design for their next building.
1. Design Flexibility
One of the most impressive features of today’s fabric buildings is just how flexible they can be in terms of design. From a myriad of shapes and colors to their surprising elasticity and strength, fabric structures allow architects and engineers to make choices that simply would not work with more traditional materials. Whether the goal is to create a very large open area or to use fabric in conjunction with literal brick and mortar, today’s fabric structures allow for options that would have been unheard of two decades ago.
2. Lighting
What if the material that formed the walls and roof of your building resisted UV rays, but also allowed natural light through? What if the light that came through during the daytime hours was plenty to see by so that work could happen without the use of artificial lighting or even skylights? Depending on the type of material you choose, a fabric structure can be a boon to lighting allowing for the pleasures of natural light while simultaneously cutting energy costs and aiding in sustainability.
3. Cost
While it isn’t true 100 percent of the time, in general, fabric is a much less expensive choice than more traditional building materials. From the savings that result from needing less site prep to the decreased odds of incurring surprise expenses from problems like contaminated groundwater, fabric buildings allow for improved simplicity along every phase of a building project, and that simplicity can’t help but result in lower costs.
4. Sustainability
Sustainability continues to be an essential part of architecture, construction, and building, and that reality isn’t likely to change anytime soon. While more traditional materials are being utilized in more sustainable ways, fabric structures are almost inherently “green,” which can make fabric a much better choice for the builder and business who want to be ecologically minded. From the savings in energy use that results from all the natural light that penetrates the structure to the fabric’s many insulating properties, a fabric building will usually use fewer fossil fuels than a more traditional building to stay lit and at a desirable temperature.
5. Im/Permanence
One of the best features of contemporary fabric structures is that they can be utilized for both permanent and impermanent applications. Do you need a structure for just a few months? A fabric building can go up quicker than a building made from more traditional materials, and when you no longer need it, it can be moved or taken down. Do you need a permanent structure? A fabric building can be just as permanent as one made of brick and concrete, too — it just depends on your needs and the design.
6. Durability
While a fabric building may not seem like a super-durable building option, today’s fabric structures truly are. Corrosion-resistant, fabric is an ideal material to set up in the face of Mother Nature’s relentless onslaught. Also, the frames of fabric buildings are made to be incredibly strong. Depending upon a particular project’s needs, the rigid, steel frames are sturdy enough for catwalks, cranes, and conveyors.
7. Timelines
When it comes to building projects, the typical wisdom is that whatever timeline is given will be greatly exceeded as the many intersecting realities of erecting a building make themselves known. With a fabric structure, however, that “wisdom” can be discarded. Timelines aren’t just easier to follow; they’re also much, much faster. In some cases, a fabric structure can be erected in a matter of weeks. Especially for projects that have short windows of time in which to come together, a fabric structure makes a great choice.
As these seven reasons show, fabric structures are one of tech’s greatest offerings, and the 21st century architect would be wise to add them to her arsenal when working on their next project.