Mission

Aim

The aim of TensiNet is to enable its members to contribute more effectively, within the scope of their activities, to   

   • Provide information and advice in the field of tensile membrane buildings; 

   • Inform about research and other technical studies necessary to support such advice; 

   • Inform about the application of research findings; 

   • Improve the quality of tensile membrane buildings; 

   • Increase the range of architectural applications;

   • Get scientific results into practice and 

   • Stimulate research initiatives.  

Members of TensiNet subscribe a code of Good Practice, encourage and facilitate exchange of information and joint working, in order to increase the quality of tensile architecture. 

Objectives

TensiNet is an association or platform for all parties interested in tensioned membrane structures. 

TensiNet supports teaching and training activities in the field of tensioned membrane construction. TensiNet can support a workshop organised by one of its members (by announcement, programme, mailing) and provides information about events.

TensiNet disseminates information about ongoing research.

TensiNet publishes the TensiNews newsletter twice a year. TensiNet organises every three year the TensiNet Symposium. 

TensiNet continues to publish reference documents, Working Group publications and the proceedings of the TensiNet symposium.  

TensiNet has launched several Working Groups. Each Working Group focuses on a specific topic and is responsible for its operation. 

TensiNet maintains the website www.tensinet.com, containing a projects database, reference documents, research reports etc.

Organisation

The idea of TensiNet became reality in 1999 as a proposal for a European research project, which ran till 2004.

TensiNet continued the established network of experts of our industry under the wings of Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Since April 2020 TensiNet became an international non-profit association.

The Founding Directors are Bernd Stimpfle, Roberto Canobbio and Marijke Mollaert. A new of Board of Directors was voted during the General Assembly 2022 with Paolo Beccarelli, Heidrun Bögner-Balz, Roberto Canobbio, Maxime Durka, Fevzi Dansik and with Bernd Stimpfle as President and Marijke Mollaert as Secretary.

The General Assembly is organised once a year in spring. The Permanent Members have voting rights.

TensiNet has National Representatives. They actively support the TensiNet activities at national level. The National Representatives are approved by the Board of Directors for a period of three years.

TensiNet discusses specific issues and prepares state of the art documents in the appropriate Working Groups:

   • WG analysis & materials

   • WG ETFE

   • WG FOUNDATION

   • WG Sustainability & Comfort

   • WG Pneumatic structures

   • WG Specifications & EUROCODE

   • WG Specifications GOOD PRACTICE

During the General Assembly each WG leader reports about objectives and progress. The Working Groups welcome additional members. If interested to contribute please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..