The International Achievement Awards competition is sponsored by IFAI, a not-for-profit trade association whose 2,000 member companies represent the international specialty fabrics marketplace. The 2008 International Achievement Awards were presented during IFAI Expo 2008, the Americas' largest annual specialty fabrics event, Oct. 21-23 in Charlotte, NC. The 2009 Award winners will be showcased at IFAI Expo 2009, to be held September 23 - 25, in San Diego, CA.
IFAI encourages project submissions of all sizes and type. The goal of the International Achievement Awards is to further awareness of the specialty fabrics used in hundreds of products.For more information on IFAI Expo 2009, please visit www.ifaiexpo.com. For more information on the 2009 International Achievement Awards competition, please visit www.ifai.com or contact Christine Malmgren at +1 651 225 6926.
 Tensile Structures, Under 6,000 sq. ft.
Outstanding Achievement Award
FabriTec Structures, Costa Mesa, Calif., United States
Grier Pavilion is an outdoor pavilion area on the seventh floor of City Hall structure located in Riverside, CA. The project's intent was to minimize the impact and visual eyesore of a non-integrated steel structure that originally covered the existing roof. The space provides an eclectic gathering space for international visitors to the city and presents a visual identity, which embodies the spirit and diversity of the city's residents. The formal elements of the Pavillion highlight the "Festival of Lights" through the use of multicolored fabric forms and interactive information displays. |
Tensile Structures, More than 25,000 sq. ft.
Outstanding Achievement Award
Shanghai Taiyo Kogyo Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China
Natatorium of Foshan Shijlian Sport
Shanghai Taiyo Kogyo Corp. created the Natatorium of FoShan Shijilian Sports Center, an important membrane structure adjacent to Foshan Stadium. It was built for holding major domestic competitions and is the largest multiple-layered membrane structure in China. Cables and struts connect the three layers of membrane. Single pipe girders are used at the outside of the structure. Underneath the single pipe girders, three layers of membrane are used for different purposes. The top two layers are PVDF material and are used for saving energy of the building. The bottom layer is PTFE material and is used for sound absorption
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Canopies, Commercial
Outstanding Achievement Award
Sundance Mfg. Inc., Orlando, Fla., United States
Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven
The intent of this project was to create a high profile canopy incorporating the Led Zeppelin — Stairway to Heaven themed roller coaster. It was designed to give the appearance of a full-sized functional zeppelin that is docked for loading passengers. The interior structure was designed with custom rolled interior beams that were architecturally themed to include a circular cutout pattern to enhance the overall visual effect. This is the only structure of its kind in the world and was done as a design-build project from the ground up by Sundance Mfg. |
Exterior Shades
Outstanding Achievement Award
Carpas Y Lonas El Carrousel S.A. de C.V.
Col. San Bartolo Atepehuacan, Mexico City C.P., Mexico
Retractable Cover for Los Danzantes
This project's goal was to provide shade with a structure that respects the colonial architecture and historical context of the restaurant site. The cover's design diverts rainwater via a 22-degree slope toward a water mirror in the front part of the court. The shade mechanism is driven by two electrical motors, along with an automatic opening-and-closing system. The membrane's frames are galvanized steel. The structure's lightness keeps the space open and creates the perception of a cloud floating over the patio. |
Exterior Banners, more than 2,500 square feet
Award of Excellence
Flying Colors Inc., Berkeley, Calif., United States
Insight Bowl 2007
In 2006 the Insight Bowl moved from its former home at Chase Field (Phoenix) and Flying Colors was engaged to continue its creative and management role of providing the brand presence for the sponsor and game operations in its new home. In moving the game to a stadium with a larger capacity than would be filled by projected ticket sales, the client requested a "seat kill" system that would effectively reduce the seating capacity of the stadium, while providing additional branding opportunities and thematic presence. Custom fit "seat kills" were created to cover 26 sections of the upper level seating bowl. None of the sections was identical, yet when installed, the composite total of the treatment resulted in a super graphic with a formidable presence, flowing from section to section and visible not only to the in-stadium fans, but to all of the aircraft landing at nearby Sky Harbor Airport. |
Marine Upholstery
Outstanding Achievement Awards
The Nautical Needle, Holland, Mich., United States
Oxender
The interior of this 1996 37 ft. Sea Ray was outdated and very plain. The customer wanted to add color and style. The project was a standard recovery. There were no pattern changes or design changes. The only thing The Nautical Needle had to re-pattern was the side rails in the V-berth cabin, because the previous fabric was quilted and hid the folds. The customer was thrilled with the results. |
Commercial Tent Rental
Outstanding Achievement Awards
Harlequin Marquees & Event Services, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Ritz-Carlton Ramadan Marquee
Ritz-Carlton Ramadan Marquee constructed a spectacular Ramadan Majlis on the golden sands in front of the luxury hotel and resort, The Ritz Carlton, Dubai, for the duration of the holy month. The Majlis provided an elegant, air-conditioned setting for hospitality and dining, one in which guests could spend their daily sunset Iftar ceremony, the traditional breaking-of-the-fast. On the wide beach at the front of the resort, Harlequin Marquees & Event Services installed two large marquees, featuring floor to ceiling window panels, framing the views and sunsets over the Arabian Gulf and the manicured gardens of the hotel. The challenges associated with the project included creating a stable base on the sand on which the Majlis could sit for an entire month, and providing an excellent air-conditioning system as a comfortable relief from the extremely hot seasonal weather. |
Architectural Structures
Award of Excellence
Beijing N&L Fabric Technology Co. Ltd., Beijing, China
& Covertex GmbH, United Kingdom
National Stadium For 2008 Olympic
The Beijing National Stadium (also known as the "Bird's Nest") is located in Beijing, China, and was the center of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The roof is ETFE and the acoustic ceiling is PTFE. The space between the two layers is roughly 13 meters, corresponding with the depth of the trusses of the primary structure. The main function of the outer ETFE layer is to make the roof weatherproof, to protect the spectators and the roof structure — including the technical instruments — from precipitation. The inner PTFE layer ensures excellent acoustical and lighting conditions for the stadium, and it provides shade for the spectators. Since the membranes needed to be as translucent as possible, a combination of transparent ETFE film and highly translucent PTFE fabric were used. Both the ETFE enclosure roof and the PTFE acoustic ceiling are supported by sub-frames that are connected to the primary structure of the stadium. |
Trade Show, Display & Stage
Award of Excellence
Eventscape Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The Olympic Store, Hudson Bay Company
Hudson Bay Company is one of the premier sponsors of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. This specialty area within the Hudson Bay Company department stores showcases official Olympic clothing and accessories. A curved framed fabric wall with three polished steel archways creates a dynamic backdrop to the merchandise. The dramatic column tree with curved framed fabric "branches" spans more than 60 feet and incorporates the Olympic colors. |
Geosynthetic Projects
Award of Excellence
Tencate Geosynthetics, Pendergrass, Ga., United States
Swamp and Stream Crossing Airmail Drive
Tencate Geosynthetics upgraded an existing, narrow, non-status rural road to a British Columbia Ministry of Transportation (BC MoT) standard 8m wide, gravel surface road. About 85m of the existing road crossed a stream and swamp area located between two lakes, and the existing road surface was only 80cm above the surface of the swamp. Geotechnical investigations determined that the existing road had settled about 1.7m since it was constructed in the mid 1970s. The existing stream-crossing structure consisted of a 600mm diameter steel culvert. The developer requested an expedited construction schedule and the environmental monitors preferred winter construction. For fish passage it was a requirement to install an open bottom structure. Construction of a pile supported geotextile reinforced soil (GRS) embankment permitted the construction of the road and open stream crossing structure. |
Safety and Protective
Outstanding Achievement Awards
SOS Marine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Divers Recovery Vest
SOS Marine's objective for the diver recovery vest project was to replace several cumbersome items of diver's equipment into an easily donned vest by combining a safety harness, quick-release weight system, buoyancy compensator and work vest into one body-hugging unit. A diver can step into this vest and be ready to enter the water in two minutes, compared to the 15 minutes it previously took. This new improved standard in design and quality provides divers additional capability, confidence and greatly improves diver safety. |
Miscellaneous
Outstanding Achievement Awards
TUUCI, Miami, Fla.
Crescent Shade Lounge
TUUCI wanted to create something new in the lounge category that is both functional and practical and provides a great design element. The Crescent Shade Lounge introduces sweeping curves and elegant comfort to turn any patio into an "outdoor room." The oversized canopy and valance create a protective sun and moisture barrier from outdoor elements. On a clear, cool night, the canopy top can easily be removed for stargazing and open air lounging. The Crescent Lounge also has privacy curtains that keep this romantic place cool and comfortable. The marine grade aluminum and stainless steel frame, combined with the durable Sunbrella® cushions, covers and curtains provide both protection and a comfortable lounging environment. |
