TensiNet is a multi-disciplinary association for all parties interested in tensioned membrane structures.

8^th TensiNet Symposium 2026 & 7^th Essener Membranbau Symposium 2026 SHAPING THE PATHWAY TO FUTURE TENSIONED MEMBRANE DESIGN 30 September – 2 October 2026, University of Duisburg Essen, Campus Essen

The symposium is hosted by the Institute for Metal and Lightweight Structures, University of Duisburg Essen, campus Essen. The symposium is dedicated to the latest developments in tensile architecture and membrane structures. The main topics are 1/ Design, Modelling and simulation of structural membranes; 2/ Materials and executions and 3/ Sustainability and building physics.

The symposium will take place after the summer, so the organising committee is in full preparation mode. Papers have been reviewed by the scientific committee. In addition to a whole series of paper presentations, a number of interesting speakers have been invited to give a keynote presentation:

• Roberto Canobbio (Canobbio Textile Engineering – Italy) La mia vita, una passione per le membrane (My life, a passion for membranes)
• Marc Gabriel (Werner Sobek AG – Germany) Shading of places
• Abigail Matthews (Momentum Engineering – UK) Membranes and rapid build entertainment venues - balancing lightweight forms with acoustic requirements
• Christoph Paech (schlaich bergermann partner – Germany) Durability assessment and enhancement of membrane structures
• Farid Sahnoune (Serge Ferrari Group – France) Fire safety of textiles
• Bernd Stimpfle (formTL – Germany) Membranes refreshed
• Alessandra Zanelli (Politecnico di Milano – Italy) Membrane as sunlight controller: The crucial role of textile architecture in cultural heritage protection
• Natalie Stranghöner & Dr. Jörg Uhlemann (Universität Duisburg-Essen – Germany) Advancements in testing, modelling and standardization of structural membrane

Below is a preliminary programme. A more detailed programme will follow shortly.

Registration. Benefit from a lower registration fee by registering before 30^th June.

More information on the event, see https://www.uni-due.de/iml/tensinet-ems2026.php#

We look forward to seeing many of you at Essen University for an interesting edition of the symposium 2026 SHAPING THE PATHWAY TO FUTURE TENSIONED MEMBRANE DESIGN!

Universität Duisburg-Essen                                                                  

Prof. Dr. Natalie Stranghöner                                                                   

Dr. Jörg Uhlemann                                                                                     

Dominik Runge                                                                                          

Stefanie Schülpen

Felix Surholt

André Westerhoff

TensiNet Association

Evi Corne

Prof. Dr. Marijke Mollaert

Bernd Stimpfle

The TensiNewsflash SPRING 2026 is online. Enjoy your reading. Link

A growing use of membranes for construction purposes has recently been encouraged by their environmentally friendly characteristics. To offer a timely and extensive, research-grounded compendium on structures made with fabrics and foils, the most relevant facets of the state of the art are covered in two sister titles.

After a moving remembrance of Marc Malinowski, a great promoter of membrane structures, Membranes for Structures — Fundamentals begins with a brief historical review of the development of design tools for membrane structures. Part One follows, discussing design fundamentals in the light of recent experiences and modern technologies. Part Two updates knowledge of products and materials, with a special focus on fire performance, the incorporation of photovoltaic cells, and ETFE. Part Three deals with other considerations related to design and installation, such as acoustic performance, post-failure stability, wind loads and lifecycle analysis, with special mentions of textile halls and biogas containers. A look into the future is proposed in Part Four, where some interesting, present-day research on ageing and applications is included.

Membranes for Structures ― Applications is steeped in fascinating, functional examples: in fact, a selection of detailed case studies is presented in Part One, preceded by the description of two relevant historical antecedents, which are the circus tent and the “envelat”. The particular case of the successful spoked wheel structural system for the construction of large stadiums is the subject of Part Two, including descriptions of four significant case studies. Two growing fields of application are the focus of Part Three, which is dedicated to façades that give buildings a unique appearance, and Part Five, which addresses replacements, renovations, and refurbishments―activities that are frequently encountered in today’s construction industry. And Part Four presents the latest application developments in different countries across the globe, with achievements in China, Latin and North America, Japan, and Europe being highlighted.

The well-amalgamated contributions, authored by international experts, produce a comprehensive reference to keep students and researchers as well as industry professionals and various other stakeholders abreast with the latest advancements. They incorporate recent developments that are poorly documented in other literature available, describe functional, structural, and decorative applications of membranes in buildings and include various relevant case studies from around the world.

Publisher: Woodhead Publishing - Elsevier

Edited by Josep Llorens, Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB), Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC)

ISBN: 9780443224072 and 9780443224058

Language: English - Published: 2025

Available at: https://shop.elsevier.com/books

The Pritzker Prize 2026 award recognizes his work that explores architecture through material experimentation, spatial perception, and a careful engagement with landscape and context.

Inflatable stage In 2023 Smiljan Radić together with Nicolás Schmidt designed an inflatable, metallic structure that acts as a stage for the country's architecture biennial in Santiago. The installation was sited at the Plaza de la Cultura in the Chilean capital and served as a stage for programming at the country's Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism. Their work consists of a large metallic bag-like structure situated on a grassy area between the street and the plaza. For more information see links

https://www.archdaily.com/1039553/smiljan-radic-clarke-receives-the-2026-pritzker-prize-the-artist-of-unspoken-architecture?utm_medium=email&utm_source=AD%20EN&kth=9,946,739&mc_cid=bd0f9c32f3&mc_eid=c040d4abd9

https://www.dezeen.com/2023/01/23/smiljan-radic-inflatable-chile-architecture-biennial-2023/

As most stakeholders in membrane structures will be aware, ECHA has launched a consultation on the draft SEAC opinion on PFAS.ECHA is inviting stakeholders to provide information on the proposed restriction of PFAS, as set out in the draft opinion of its Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC).The consultation is open until 25 May 2026 and can be accessed at https://ec.europa.eu/consultation/runner/echa_pfas_seac_do_consultation.

TensiNet Association 

On Friday, the TensiNet Association will submit a response to the consultation through Chemservice, based on the completed questionnaires received. The TensiNet Association is either asking for a full exemption with respect to the scope of the proposed PFAS restriction or, if this is not accepted, for a time-unlimited derogation for the specific use of fluoropolymers in tensioned membrane structures. The main statements are: (1) a Responsible Manufacturing Programme for fluoropolymers is in place, aiming to reduce emissions throughout the manufacturing stage and the supply chain; (2) the use stage is safe; and (3) concerning the end of life, fluoropolymers can be recycled (ETFE), landfilled or incinerated without degrading into hazardous PFAS, as proven by recent studies.

Individual parties can still reply before 25 May with additional specific information or state their support for the TensiNet Association's response.

https://ec.europa.eu/consultation/runner/General_survey_final (EU login required).

For 'Background information', please provide the required answers. If you wish to specify the previous consultation: #8909. The sector: Technical Textiles.

For the 'General Survey Questions', from question 2.19 onwards, responses are not mandatory and stakeholders can indicate their support for the TensiNet Association's response.

Enjoy the latest TensiNews 50 - link

for members (login) - link

Interested in the content of the webinars organised by TensiNet and the WG Sustainability & Comfort. Find the links to the handouts

PFAS restriction process, fluoropolymers and PFAS, membrane materials and the next SEAC consultation. Link

Membrane Architecture – Life Cycle Assessment – Environmental Impacts. Link

DEADLINE APPROACHING 20.03.2026

The TensiNet association has engaged Chemservice to collect information on the socio & economical impact of a PFAS ban and to prepare a dossier to reply to SEAC.

We do need your participation. Chemservice has prepared a questionnaire.

Return this questionnaire no later than Friday 20^th March 2026, to assure a timely development of the TensiNet response to SEAC.

See link

Save the date - Friday 6th March from 13.00 till 14.00

Following the success of this first webinar, TensiNet has started to develop a full programme of webinars that could take place monthly around lunchtime (GMT +1).

Membrane Architecture – Life Cycle Assessment – Environmental Impacts

Organised by TensiNet and the Working Group Sustainability & Comfort (coordinator Carol Monticelli - Politecnico di Milano / Marijke Mollaert VUB)

Programme

13.00 – 13:05 Opening and Welcoming - Chair: Marijke Mollaert (VUB and Tensinet)

13.05 – 13.20 What is the Life Cycle Assessment? And what does it mean in Membrane Architecture Field? -  Carol Monticelli (Polimi – Dept. DABC – Textiles Hub - LCTeams)

13.20 – 13.35 Environmental Product Declarations in Tensile Architecture: Available Datasets and Environmental Impact based on Global Warming Potential -  Zehra Eryuruk (VUB – Dept. Mechanics of Materials and Constructions)

13.35 – 13.55 Q&A - Katja Bernert

13.55 – 14.00 Closure of the meeting - Marijke Mollaert

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a scientific methodology used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product or system throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life. In membrane architecture, LCA helps designers and engineers assess and reduce the environmental footprint of lightweight building solutions such as technical textiles and foils.

Compared to traditional construction materials, membrane and foil structures require significantly less material, thanks to their ability to work efficiently in tension. However, their fossil-fuel origin and their thermal, optical, and acoustic performance require careful environmental evaluation during the design phase. LCA makes it possible to identify both advantages and limitations of membrane materials, while tools such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) support informed decision-making and promote more sustainable membrane architecture.

Join the TensiNet FREE WEBINAR “Membrane Architecture – Life Cycle Assessment – Environmental Impacts” on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 13:00 to 14:00 CET. The webinar will introduce LCA principles, their application to membrane structures, and present the currently available Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for membrane materials and systems. Please find the link to add your name on this list. Registration to participate in the webinar is a two-step process. 

The TensiNewsflash WINTER 2025-2026 is online. Enjoy your reading. Link