Modern manufacturing has allowed for the expanded use of advanced fabric materials for the construction of temporary and permanent building structures.  The types of fabrics and fabric support techniques are diverse, as are the potential construction applications for fabric building systems.  These include standalone portable shelters of all sizes (including storage sheds and hangars), permanent structures with completely fabric roofs (including stadiums and airport terminals), and fabric additions to traditionally constructed buildings, such as awnings and lean-tos.

Greenhouses are designed to take advantage of solar radiation to create a proper environment and temperature for plant cultivation.  Solar radiation heats all greenhouse contents, and the glazing traps the heat generated within the structure.  Even heating of the greenhouse contents mitigates the loss of heat by convection (warm air tends to rise and escape a structure), which is another important functional aspect of a greenhouse.  Greenhouse building components consist of a foundation, framing, glazing, ventilation, utilities and thermal storage systems.  Temporary and portable greenhouses may not require all these components.

Grandstands and Bleachers provide seating for both indoor and outdoor spectator events which typically have several hours duration.  Bleachers are terraced rows of bench seats with foot rests.  Grandstands are bleachers or individual seating systems on an elevated platform.  Many grandstand and bleacher systems can be easily relocated if purchased, or rented for specific events.  Permanent installations at fixed interior building locations can be installed with telescopic features, to allow for improved storage and floor cleaning when not in use.    Wood, aluminum and plastics are the most common material selections for bleacher and grandstand seating.

This topic includes information related to design and construction with space frames.  Space frames are a structural lightweight, truss like, geometric frame of metal or wood materials.  The design of a space frame assembly transmits weight loads in multiple directions over the frame.  They are commonly used for large roofs over modern and industrial structures.

This topic includes information related to design and construction of geodesic structures.  Geodesic structures have a triangular gridwork of materials that are assembled to create a dome shape structure. Wood, steel frame and concrete materials are commonly used to construct a geodesic structure.

This topic includes information related to design and construction with sunrooms.  Sunrooms are glazed engineered enclosures assembled on site.  Commonly installed in residential applications, sunrooms extend interior living area to the outdoors.

This topic includes information related to design and construction of towers.  Towers are vertical structures, used in a variety of applications for various reasons.  Fabricated and pre-engineered towers are constructed from metal or wood materials.