Photography Credit: C&S Companies / Project Designer
As part of the $20 million terminal expansion and renovation at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, Structurflex designed, engineered and installed an 11,700 square-foot canopy for the exterior passenger drop-off and pick-up areas. We used an ETFE with a silver frit, which filters out ultraviolet rays and reduces solar gain. Our involvement in the final design phase of the project meant we could ensure that the ETFE canopy material and the steel would work together properly, both in form and in function. By incorporating small stainless steel cable supports, we were able to control the wind and snow loads – a vital feature in a location that receives 63 inches of snow annually. We also coordinated with other trades and used existing canopy footings, which saved the owner time and money.
The design for the canopy followed the architect’s vision for the expansion. LED lights running through the canopy underside provide visual interest and, along with LED sconces that are incorporated into the canopy columns, allow pathways to be adequately lit even in bad weather and at night.
We are pleased to have collaborated with KieranTimberlake and the outfit of a parking structure on the Rice University Campus. In their blog post, they describe the concepts they employed to create an iconic sculptural element. For more details see the KieranTimberlake blog post.
The Increasing Importance of DurabilityWhile tensile fabric has several distinct advantages over more traditional materials like glass, one of the most important may be its ability to withstand severe weather events. Our tensile structures and tensile facades in Miami, Jacksonville, Houston, Fort Worth, Waco, and Atlanta did not sustain any damage or require any repair despite enduring events ranging […]
