that, but a building's carbon emission can be reduced by lower operational energy usage both in the summer [maintaining a cooler building] and in winter as the fabric envelope wards off prevailing cold winds [providing an effective thermal jacket]." Snustead enumerates other positive reductions such as noise pollution- fabric screens under wind pressure do not vibrate-and light pollution-metal screens do not provide much blockage of light penetrating a building, nor of light emanating outward from inside at night. A portable entertainment venue in the shape of pyramids is clad in an opaque membrane (black on inside/gray on the outside) designed to withstand multiple set-ups and takedowns for a multi-year traveling schedule. Designed by Lune Rouge Entertainment and fabricated and installed by Sollertia for quick deployment. Photo: Sollertia. A D VA N TA G E S OF FABRIC FACADES DYNAMIC BUILDING SHAPES Perhaps the greatest innovation in building facades can be found in the look and shape of many of the newest facade projects. Fabric lends itself inherently to innovations that allow designers freedom to create new forms and architectural expressions. With fabric structures, architects must go through a search Fabrics are very lightweight; sometimes as little as 1 percent the weight of concrete, steel or glass options, which is often instrumental when working with existing structures that were not originally designed to hold heavy loads of concrete or steel facade screens. Erik Jarvie Vice president of business development FabriTec Structures Compared with metal materials, fabric membranes require much less maintenance and retain their structural integrity for a long time. With a wide variety of meshes of different porosity/openings, combined with their reflectivity, they afford increased thermal comfort inside buildings as well as energy savings. Fabric facades reduce interior glare and protect from UV damage to skin and interior finishes. A 50 percent maintenance/ life-cycle cost: refinishing metal screens (especially in coastal areas) is two to three times the cost of fabric replacement every 20 to 30 years." Nathalie Lortie Paul Snustead Director of design/innovation Sollertia Director of facades FlexFacades by Structurflex 32 REVIEW APRIL 2020 0420RV_p28-37.indd 32 3/23/20 10:01 PM