Contemporary architecture is experiencing a true revolution thanks to the advancement of technical fabrics and innovative materials transforming the way present and future structures are built and designed.
In this article, we will explore the structural and architectural advantages of these fabrics and how EXPAFOL plays a fundamental role in this transformation of the architectural industry.
In particular, we will focus on our exclusive product, Clearfol® HT 650 FR, which has proven to be a versatile and highly effective solution in numerous cutting-edge architectural projects.
The Evolution of Technical Fabrics in Textile Architecture. Beyond Conventional Fabrics
Technical fabrics applicable to architecture are materials designed to meet high technical and functional standards in construction applications. Unlike conventional fabrics, these fabrics are manufactured using advanced technologies and consist of high-strength fibres and special coatings to enhance their properties.
Structural and Architectural Advantages of Technical Fabrics
Technical fabrics offer a range of structural and architectural advantages that make them an attractive choice for visionary architects and interior designers looking to explore more organic and lightweight designs.
- Light permeability: The main advantage of using flexible technical membranes in textile architecture is their ability to allow natural light to enter the structure’s interior. This creates a bright and pleasant environment in habitable spaces, improving the quality of life for occupants and reducing dependence on artificial lighting.
- Flexibility and deformability: Flexible technical films and fabrics are elastomeric and deformable, meaning they can adapt to different shapes and curvatures. This allows for innovative and unconventional architectural structures, breaking away from traditional rigid frame designs. The flexibility of the fabrics also enables them to effectively respond to external loads, redistributing tension evenly across the surface and improving the structure’s overall stability.
- Tensioned structures: One way to achieve structural stability with technical fabrics is by applying pressure from the perimeter, intermediate points, or lines. These structures, known as tensioned structures, resemble opening an umbrella. Maintaining a permanent tension in the material ensures the textile structure’s strength and stability.
- Inflatable structures: Another option for achieving peace with technical fabrics is applying continuous perpendicular air pressure across the entire surface, creating inflated structures. These structures resemble the tension mechanism of a beach ball. The air pressure helps maintain shape and structural rigidity, allowing for inflatable and expandable designs.
- Anticlastic surface geometry: Most contemporary textile structures are based on anticlastic surface geometry. This means the system is tensioned in traction and not subjected to significant bending or compression. Combining tensile elements in arches and hanging elements creates a configuration that can be pre-tensioned without substantially changing its overall shape. This geometry provides stability and strength to the textile structure.
- Pretensioning: Pretensioning is a critical factor in improving the rigidity of textile architecture structures. The various curvatures of the surface interact with each other to retain significant deformations. Pretensioning is applied in combination with selecting the structure’s shape and represents a small proportion of the ultimate strength of the membrane.
Lightness and Flexibility for the Architecture of the Future
One of the main benefits of technical fabrics is their lightness and flexibility. These materials allow for constructing lighter structures than traditional materials, facilitating handling and assembly. Additionally, their flexibility enables them to adapt to complex shapes and geometries, expanding the possibilities for architectural design and creativity.
Transparency and Luminosity to Enhance Spaciousness and Light
Technical films such as EXPAFOL’s Clearfol® HT 650 FR offer excellent clarity, allowing natural light to pass through interior spaces. This creates a sense of spaciousness and luminosity while reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.
The transparency of these membranes also allows for greater integration with the surrounding environment, creating a visual connection between the interior and exterior.
UV Resistance and Fire
Retardancy Protection against UV rays and fire resistance are critical architectural features. Technical fabrics, like Clearfol® HT 650 FR, are designed to offer high UV resistance, protecting interior spaces and occupants from the harmful effects of the sun. Additionally, these fabrics are fire retardant, providing excellent safety in case of fire.
Reconfigurability and Adaptability
The reconfigurability and Adaptability of technical textiles are standout features. These materials can be adjusted and transformed to meet the changing needs of a project or environmental conditions. This gives architects and interior designers greater flexibility to modify and update spaces over time.
Clearfol® HT 650 FR: EXPAFOL’s Cutting-Edge Solution
Clearfol® HT 650 FR, manufactured by EXPAFOL, is a leading technical fabric in the industry, combining the best properties for modern architecture. Some of its outstanding features include:
- Exceptional transparency: Clearfol® HT 650 FR offers exceptional visual clarity, allowing for optimal visibility and connectivity with the surrounding environment.
- UV protection: This technical fabric provides excellent UV protection, preserving the quality and durability of interior spaces.
- Fire retardancy: Clearfol® HT 650 FR is highly fire-resistant, making it a safe choice for architectural applications.
- Flexibility and adaptability: Thanks to its flexibility, Clearfol® HT 650 FR easily adapts to diverse shapes and geometries, allowing for innovative architectural designs.
Clearfol® HT 650 FR has been used in numerous architectural projects, such as the PIPELINE project by Dosis, which received the Best of the Best award at the Iconic Awards: Innovative Architecture. Its versatility and quality have proven valuable assets for the most demanding architects and interior designers.
Fabric manufacturers like EXPAFOL are crucial in transforming modern architecture by developing innovative technical fabrics.
EXPAFOL’s flagship range, Clearfol® HT FR, offers significant structural and architectural advantages, such as lightness, flexibility, transparency, UV resistance, and fire retardancy.
These characteristics allow architects and interior designers to create cutting-edge and functional spaces that adapt to the changing needs of society and the environment. Technical fabrics are building the future of architecture, and EXPAFOL stands out as a leader in the industry with its high-quality and prestigious product.
