News
Shading structure at the Netto supermarket, Berlin
Beneath the glass dome of the Netto supermarket, the aim was to improve the acoustics of the retail space and provide a visual screen for the office floors above.
The tensioned mesh sculpture consists of a membrane that is anchored at 16 points in the circular ceiling opening. A vertical floating stainless steel strut element creates the three-dimensional wave shape. Tension can be adjusted at the anchor points and through the four steel cables connecting the membrane to the mast.
The lowest point of the 4.50m long floating strut is at a height of 2.30m, which means that the area under the membrane can be used without any restrictions.
The material chosen by the client, a silver grey coarse meshed fabric (with a 6% opening), allows for good lighting on the ground floor and a smooth visual barrier from above.
Visited in 2024 - while shopping - the sculpture sits elegantly under the glass dome.
Client: Art-Invest Real Estate Funds GmbH
Design/ Implementation planning/ Production/ Assembly: 3dtex GmbH
Architekten: hilligarchitekten
Statik: Ingenieurbüro Hedler
Membrane: Textilbau / Fi Daedler
Material: Mehgies Valmex TF 400
Completion: 2020
IMS BAUHAUS® Symposium 2024
On Saturday 28 September, several presentations at the IMS BAUHAUS® Symposium 2024 focused on the sustainability and structural safety of Tensile Surface Structures, highlighting the topics of the Tensinet Working Groups 'Sustainability and Comfort' and 'Specifications & Eurocode'.
Ketankumar Solanki's topic was 'Learning from the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital ETFE Roof: Recycling & Aging of ETFE Foils'.
Zehra Eryuruk presented 'Environmental Impact of Membrane Structures and their Materials'.
And Patrick Beck highlighted the 'New membrane standard (prCEN/TS19102)'.
Well done!
Figure 1. Ketankumar Solanki's presentation on Recycling ETFE-foils
Figure 2. Zehra Eryuruk’s presentation on LCA analyses.
Figure 3. Patrick Beck on the TS19102.
TS19102 Design of tensioned membrane structures
The TS19102 Design of tensioned membrane structures is available at
TensiNews 47 online
TensiNews 47 is online!
For members (login) link, For non-members link
In this TensiNews issue you will find a very detailed report written by Josep Llorens, summarizing the highlights at Textile Roofs 2024. Beside this you find fresh information about different tensile projects, such as a knitted installation in Oregon, a canopy covering a stand in Germany and about the refurbishment of the large membrane roof of Dresden station. Tensile architecture is also an ideal partner to support green façades or shading elements!
Tensinewsflash SUMMER 2024
Dear Member,
Please find the latest TENSINEWSFLASH SUMMER 2024 including call for contributions TN47; WG activities; etc.
Enjoy your reading as well as the summer season which promise to be interesting and busy! Link
Execution rules for Membrane Structures
WG EUROCODE
To support the conversion of the CEN/TS 19102:2023 Design of tensioned membrane structures into a new EN Eurocode, there is a need for execution rules, to underpin the corresponding design provisions, to be included in a European Standard. Key experts in the design and construction of membrane structures are invited to contribute to the development of these execution rules. See link
WG updates
The TensiNet WG eurocode is involved with the writing of the “Execution of tensioned membrane structures”.Last week the draft has been discussed and updated. A next WG meeting will be held on 17.07.
The Working Group Sustainability & Comfort submitted to IBU (Institut Bauen und Umwelt) the Product Category Rules Part B: Requirements on the EPD for structural membranes (fabrics, coated fabrics and foils). It was published beginning of 2024. See link.
The next step is the writing of 2 Environmental Product Declarations (EPD): a group EPD for PVC coated polyester fabric and a group EPD for ETFE-foils. A subgroup EPD for PVC/PES and one for ETFE will be set up for this purpose. The next WG meetings are scheduled on 01.07 and 30.07.
Interested to join a WG? Send an email to info@tensinet.com.
TensiNet welcomes 2 new Partners!
At the General Assembly, the Permanent Members voted unanimously in favour of Architen Landrell and Pfeifer joining the association as Partner Members!
Architen Landrell is at the forefront of tensile architecture innovation. They specialise in structural membrane design to create landmark tensile fabric structures and iconic features. With 30 years of experience in the industry, an impressive portfolio of award-winning projects, and a growing list of over 6.000 structures in 48 countries, their track record speaks for itself.
Architen Landrell was a partner member in the early days, supporting the emergence of Tensinet in the membrane structures industry. Over the years they have worked with TensiNet, the University of Nottingham, the University of Newcastle and, more recently, the University of Bath, to expand their knowledge and improve their practice. They are active in the Working Group Sustainability & Comfort and the Working Group Eurocode and are keen to increase their involvement in the association and to work with all other members to advance their combined knowledge.
Pfeifer offers solutions for a wide range of applications within the construction, logistics and architecture industries. In the project business they realize innovative building envelopes, roof structures and façade constructions.
Their expertise is based on decades of experience with cable structures, tension rod systems and membrane covers. As pioneers in the field of lightweight architecture, they can design, supply and install these structures in any material - from steel to wood to membranes, glass or other materials.From movable structures to facades, bridges or roofs, there is always an intelligent way to create a light, resource-efficient, long-lasting and low-maintenance architectural solution.
Also, Pfeifer has been a Firm member for a long time.
Interested to become a TensiNet Partner member? A Partner Member decides on the policies and activities of the association. A Partner Membership receives several benefits (highest visibility on the website and publications, free registrations for TensiNet Symposia, etc). If you are a committed Firm member and you would like to discuss and decide on TensiNet's tasks and mission, please send an application to become a partner member to info@tensinet.com.
TensiNet at Textile Roofs 2024
TensiNet was well represented at Textile Roofs 2024, which took place from 28 to 30 April.
Presentations and workshops took place on the ecofriendly seminar ship. See link
TensiNet survey
Dear TensiNet member,
As TensiNet approaches its 25th anniversary, it is time to reflect and look ahead!
We therefore ask our members to complete the survey and return it by e-mail to info@tensinet.com.
Thank you in advance!
TensiNews 46
TensiNews 46 is online!
For members (login) link, For non-members link
This TensiNews is again full of interesting contributions. As usual, we find the excellent summary of Structural Membranes in Valencia prepared by Josep Llorens. The results of a PhD thesis on the global warming of membrane structures are presented, a contribution about Tensile Architecture in the todays design environment, and how CFD is implemented in recent software packages. You also find many interesting projects, such as a series of umbrellas in Luxemburg, a stadium in Mallorca and a temporary structure for seasonable use in public places.
The Product Category Rules Part B: Requirements on the EPD for structural membranes
Update from the WG Sustainability & Comfort.
The Product Category Rules Part B: Requirements on the EPD for structural membranes (fabrics, coated fabrics and foils) was submitted to IBU (Institut Bauen und Umwelt) for revision on behalf of the TensiNet Association on 15 February 2023.
It was published on 5 January 2024! Please find the link!
