Birdair Inc. earns Outstanding Achievement Award

Birdair Inc. has earned the 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award from the Industrial Fabrics Association International for its innovative tension cable and fabric membrane roofing system, recently installed on Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Safat, Kuwait.

Birdair Inc., headquartered in Amherst, is a specialty contractor of lightweight long-span roofing systems throughout the world, providing design-build solutions for architects and clients in all aspects of project design, engineering, installation and maintenance.

The Birdair project competed in the 60th annual International Achievement Awards, garnering honors in the category of Tensile Structures 30,000 square feet or larger. IFAI received a record 387 entries from 14 countries, which were reviewed by a panel of industry experts, editors, architects, educators and design professionals.

Projects were submitted in 28 categories and evaluated for complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness and functionality.

"The canopy structure on Jaber Al-Ahmad Stadium was a unique and complex undertaking, so we're thrilled that IFAI has recognized Birdair's work on this distinctive project," said Kevin Mayer, vice president of business development, marketing and sales for Birdair.

Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium - also known as Kuwait Stadium - seats more than 64,000 spectators and is the largest soccer and Olympic-standard sports venue in the country.

Birdair designed, engineered and installed the canopy system for the stadium within one year, using 147,637 square feet of Teflon-coated fabric.

Using a highly translucent woven Fiberglas material, Birdair's team of engineers and designers capitalized on the membrane's daylight-harvesting properties. Due to its inherent high translucency, light pours through the material to brighten the stadium's interior space, reducing the need for supplemental electric lighting.

The bright white fabric also offers a strong defense against the extreme wind, dirt, sand and heat of Kuwait's harsh desert climate.

Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium was slated for completion in December 2007.

For more information about Birdair, call 1-800-622-2246 or visit www.birdair.com.