Initially invented by DuPont in the 1930s as an insulation
material for the aeronautics industry, and introduced by German engineer,
Stefan Lehnert, in the 1980s as a building material, ETFE was not initially
considered as a mainstream construction material. But, its remarkable
properties have brought it the fame and popularity that it has achieved today.
ETFE is light in weight, yet durable, and has a very long
life. It has amazing tear resistance, translucency, and flexibility. Moreover,
it is very environmental-friendly, architecturally aesthetic and cost-effective.
In contrast to glass and other traditional materials, ETFE offers an exciting
opportunity to incorporate elements that are aesthetically different and can
create an ultimately modern and clean looking space. When built as roofing or
walls, ETFE can bring in maximum natural light and build an open feeling with
no need of additional internal lighting.
Over the past twenty years, the awareness of the material
has highly increased, and its uses are rapidly boosting up for designers and
architects worldwide. In fact, ETFE is being widely used in a wide range of
projects like schools, offices, government buildings, sports facilities,
airports, railways stations, etc. When large sized spaces are required to be
built, it poses a very huge challenge for manufacture and installation. But,
with ETFE, it becomes possible. Let us take a look at the various huge
structures that have been successfully built with ETFE.
Radclyffe School, England
The street at Radclyffe School in England is covered with
single ply ETFE. The atrium area, which forms the intersection of 5 school
buildings, needed to be enclosed with a covering to provide an open dry space
for students and staff to gather. After lots of consideration, single ply ETFE
was decided upon for the purpose.
North-West Bus Station,
Westfield White City, East London
Appearance and practicality is what was required at the bus
interchange at Westfield White City shopping development in East London. This bus interchange forms one of the main entrances
to the shopping complex, which is why these requirements are important. To suit
these requirements, ETFE sheets have been used, which provide shelter as well
as weather protection.
Suvarnabhumi Airport,
Bangkok
The Bangkok Airport has used an ETFE fabric cover to reflect
sunlight and control the temperature within. The shape of the structure traps
more heat near the roof, enabling the floor and bottom half of the structure to
stay cool and provide comfort to the travelers and staff. This airport
structure covers around 1 million square feet, which is 23 acres!
ITE College, Ang Mo
Kio
Institute of Technology and Education College in Ang Mo Kio
comprises of six ETFE canopies – four making the fly roof area (Pod Garden
Canopies), and two circular and elliptical roofs forming an amphitheater where
public events take place. Pod Garden Canopies required a material that allowed
UV light penetration for allowing plant growth and photosynthesis. ETFE thus
proved the ideal solution as a transparent material allowing UV light
transmission and adequate shading and thermal comfort to the pedestrians.
National Stadium,
Singapore
One of the biggest innovative iconic projects of Singapore,
the National Stadium roof spanning 310m and housing 55,000 people at public and
sports events, is made up of two layers – ETFE moving roof supported on runway
trusses and operating above an aluminum standing seam fixed roof.
Looking at the success of all these commercial spaces, more and more
commercial as well as residential areas are being built up with ETFE. If you
are looking for building a structure with ETFE too, get in touch with Tuflite
Polymers, one of the leading ETFE suppliersin India, who has partnered with Vector Foiltec to provide the Indian
sub-continent with the best quality ETFE foils and cushions.
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