News

TensiNet Symposium 2026 & Essener Membranbau Symposium 2026

This combined symposium Shaping the pathway to future tensioned membrane design will be held from 30th September – 2nd October 2026 at the Institute for Metal and Lightweight Structures, Campus Essen. Website link. Email tensinet-ems2026@uni-due.de

Call for ABSTRACTS: We invite you to participate and submit your abstract by 31st August 2025. The three main topics are: 1/ Design, Modelling and Simulation of Structural Membranes; 2/ Materials and Execution & 3/Sustainability and Building Physics.If these topics would not fit, it is possible to select “other”.

Call for sponsoring There is the opportunity to sponsor the symposium. There are 4 categories with corresponding benefits: Platinum sponsorship for 4000€; Gold for 3000€; Silver for 2000€ and Copper for 1000€.

See also the announcement in the TensiNews issue 48

For members (login) link, For non-members link

In this TensiNews issue you will find updates on our TensiNet Symposium in collaboration with the University Duisburg-Essen. It is a joint event being at the same time the 8th edition of our TensiNet symposium and the 7th edition of the Essen Membranbau Symposium. The title is “Shaping the pathway to future tensioned membrane design” with topics arranged around the current development within our industry. The conference website is now online and the call for abstracts just launched! https://www.uni-due.de/iml/tensinet-ems2026.php

Enjoy reading this issue containing inspiring projects and the results of a research project. You find also an invitation to celebrate TensiNet’s 25 anniversary during the Frei Otto 100 symposium which will take place at Ilek, Stuttgart.

We have something to celebrate: TensiNet is 25!

We invite you for a drink and to the General Assembly Meeting of the TensiNet Association. It will be held after the Frei Otto 100 symposium at the University of Stuttgart in Germany on 5-6 June.

On Friday 6th June, there will be a drink from 16.00, followed by the General Assembly Meeting (16.45-17.45).

If you would like to attend the event and General Assembly Meeting, please send an email to info@tensinet.com.

If you're interested in attending the symposium Frei Otto 100, visit https://www.freiotto100.de/. Please register quickly, as there are only 150 places available. You can register as an early bird (until 21 March).

Please find the latest TENSINEWSFLASH WINTER 2024 Link

A brief presentation about TensiNet’s activities and aims was given by Marijke Mollaert during the annual IASS WG6 meeting. Enjoy this presentation.

IASS WG6 - Tension and Membrane Structures

Prof. Dr. Ken'ichi KAWAGUCHI (Chair) - Japan

Prof. Marijke MOLLAERT (Co-Chair) - Belgium

The TensiNet Association represents the tensioned membrane industry and is an expert in membrane construction products.

Today we have received from ECHA (European Chemical Agency) the confirmation that the TensiNet association has been accepted as one of ECHA’s accredited stakeholder organisations. Our application meets the eligibility criteria endorsed by the Agency’s Management Board and therefore our application has been accepted.

Accredited stakeholders in the Agency’s work in a variety of ways – through discussions, workshops and events, joint activities and regular updates about topical issues. We hope that you will join us in this important work of protecting human health and the environment and to ensure the safe use of chemicals. TensiNet will be represented by the following experts:

For the Committee for Risk Assessment meetings:

-        Carol Monticelli, Leader of the TensiNet Working Group Sustainability and Comfort, Associate Professor in Technology of Architecture, Politecnico di Milano, Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering Department,

-        Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heidrun Bögner-Balz, Leader of the TensiNet Working Group Specifications GOOD PRACTICE, Professor at the Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart, Fakultät Bauingenieurwesen, Bauphysik und Wirtschaft, Fachgebiet Nachhaltige Werkstoffe im Bauwesen,

-        If Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heidrun Bögner-Balz is not available due to other obligations (not yet confirmed), Dipl.-Ing. Bernd Stimpfle will attend the meeting: Chair of TensiNet, Managing Director at formTL, ingenieure für tragwerk und leichtbau gmbh, radolfzell, germany.

For the Committee for Socio-economic Analysis meetings:

-        Carol Monticelli, Leader of the TensiNet Working Group Sustainability and Comfort, Associate Professor in Technology of Architecture, Politecnico di Milano, Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering Department,

-        Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heidrun Bögner-Balz, Leader of the TensiNet Working Group Specifications GOOD PRACTICE, Professor at the Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart, Fakultät Bauingenieurwesen, Bauphysik und Wirtschaft, Fachgebiet Nachhaltige Werkstoffe im Bauwesen.

See link for more information on the PFAS restriction proposal.

Discover the almost 700 projects uploaded in the Database.

Above a picture (©Pillet Denis) of the tensioned membrane roof of the TGV Train Station in Nantes, built in 1991. It was demolished in 2019, after 28 years of service. Engineer Marc Malinowski clarified for the tensioned membrane roof: "All our efforts are aimed at reducing the visual weight" and adds: "A canvas weighs less than one kilo per square metre, whereas it resists wind pressure of sixty kilos per square metre." A completely different design and construction is now realised. Link

Dear member,

Please find the latest TENSINEWSFLASH AUTUMN 2024! Link

Get inspired by quotes of interesting people such as the French engineer Robert Le Ricolais (1894-1977), considered as one of the creators of the spatial structure principle, based on mathematical logic and observation of nature.

‘Les structures étudiées pour être le meilleur auxiliaire de l’homme obéissent aux lois du minimum, sont semblables à la nature en n’ont pratiquement rien d’artificiel. Discuter leur éventuelle beauté se ramène à discuter la beauté de la nature.’

'The structures designed to be the best helper of man obey the laws of the minimum, are similar to nature and have practically nothing artificial. To discuss their possible beauty is to discuss the beauty of nature.'

Robert Le Ricolais

Innovations often arise from unexpected encounters. From April 21 to 24, 2026, we will celebrate these special meetings once again, with countless national and international exhibitors showcasing the full spectrum of high-tech textiles across twelve application areas. However, research, development, and scalable implementation thrive best when the entire value chain is present. That's why Texprocess will be held in close proximity at the same time. This is how ideas turn into results.

SHAPING THE PATHWAY TO FUTURE TENSIONED MEMBRANE DESIGN. The 8th TensiNet Symposium 2026 & 7th Essener Membranbau Symposium 2026 will be hosted by the Institute for Metal and Lightweight Structures, University of Duisburg Essen, campus Essen. Initiators are Natalie Stränghoner and Jörg Uhlemann, supported by their team and the TensiNet Association.

The main topics are 1/ Design, Modelling and simulation of structural membranes; 2/ Materials and executions and 3/ Sustainability and building physics.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS  Interested to participate?

Choose one of the three main topics and upload your abstract! For more information see: https://www.uni-due.de/iml/tensinet-ems2026.php#

Abstract submission 31.08.2025 I Abstract acceptance 31.10.2025 I Paper submission 15.02.2026 I Paper acceptance or feedback 31.03.2026 I Revised paper submission 30.04.2026

The way Moriyama Akane uses fibres, textiles, colours and craftsmanship is inspiring. See link

The roof being installed at the Japanese Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Biennale​ © Studio Akane Moriyama