WORDS OF WISDOM

Shade offers relief from the hot sun. It also provides some relief from high energy bills, as it reduces the amount of time an air conditioner must run. Readers learn novel ways to create shade in Fabric Architecture: Creative Resources for Shade, Signage, and Shelter  (W.W. Norton & Co. Inc.) by Samuel J. Armijos.

Among fabric structures discussed are various types of awnings, umbrellas, tents and canopies for both residential and commercial use.

On the residential front, Armijos indicates that awnings attached to windows and canopies placed next to a house reduce the amount of solar radiation from direct sunlight that enters rooms; to some degree, this lessens the need for energy-consuming air conditioning.
 
According to the author, shade devices made of fabric are considered sustainable because of their ability to reduce energy costs and fossil fuel dependency. When made from such recycled materials as ETFE foils, these products become even “greener,” he notes. In addition, some structures are said to provide up to 90-percent UV protection. Six fabric samples are provided.
—Mary Modney