It has become an indisputable reality that high-tech architecture has gone organic. From central London buildings such as The Gherkin to the Olympic arenas and swimming venues, beauty is embodied in curves and shapes. Why is this? Is it merely fashion or something more?
Creating interest for the eyes
One of the reasons for this explosion of shape around the capital, and indeed across the country, is the desire to get away from the stark, post-war construction that dominated the UK for so long. Straight lines are cheap and easy to build; however, as light falls on its flat, dull surface, our attention also falls away. Curves entrance us and create variety in the scene. As with straight lines, this relies on light and shadow. As the day moves along and the weather changes, so does the scenery. Curved structures are the perfect platform to receive artificial light and can be designed to create beautiful installations.
The cost of beauty
You will notice that local governments and private businesses are not rushing to build curvaceous structures. The primary reason for this is cost. Both designing and constructing solid, curved buildings is expensive, and in most cases prohibitively so.
There are alternative ways to incorporate curves and light into architecture, however, and one such way is to introduce tensile roof systems in the UK such as those found at http://fabricarchitecture.com/. By using tensile fabric to create roofs, awnings and walls, architects and developers can bring shape, light and interest to a structure at a fraction of the cost.
Using fabric when designing architectural lighting
While architectural lighting concerns itself with all elements of lighting a building for human use, it is the more dramatic end of the spectrum that has received the most attention recently. Buildings that dazzle and impress us with their appearance make the headlines. Many of these buildings are lit from inside to create a dramatic external view, but many more take the traditional stained glass window approach of concentrating on the internal users’ enjoyment.
From airports to shopping malls, we rely on stretched and hardened fabric structures to create environments that please and delight us. This method is increasingly cost effective and sustainable − so much so that many landmark structures are also choosing fabric for their architectural lighting design themes.