Textile architecture meets Art: When buildings become works of art

Textile architecture and membrane construction-how high-tech materials enable extraordinary constructions

Textile architecture meets art when buildings become impressive works of art.

The use of textiles as dwellings - see tents - goes back to the earliest times of human history and still remains a proven method for building. The properties of textile materials such as lightness, adaptability and dismantling ability make you an ideal choice for the construction of temporary accommodations, which can offer protection against wind, UV radiation and moisture.

In modern architecture, the principles of tent construction were taken up and refined again - not only adapted for temporary buildings, but also for permanent constructions.

With the help of textile materials such as membranes and textiles, architects express their creativity in exceptional projects. The assembly of these special components opens up new possibilities of design and ensures a fascinating fusion of architecture and art .

What is textile architecture?

In the past, structures from traditional natural fibers such as tents were considered typical examples of textile architecture. But in modern times, the textile architecture uses technologically advanced high-tech factory in the field of tissue technology.

Membrane construction

When you talk about textile -based architecture, this usually refers to the design of building envelopes . The textile construction uses flexible materials such as membranes and textiles to create unique and innovative building structures - in this context, one also speaks of membrane construction . Ropes are often used as support.

A unique property of membranes is their ability to absorb tensile forces under pressure load and forward to the outside. The membrane itself is distributed - one speaks of the so -called "membrane operating status" . Thanks to this special nature, they are extremely resistant to stress of any kind.

The ropes are flexible and flexible and serve in textile architecture as transmission elements for tensile forces. The ropes ensure that the membranes can be tautly stretched. One challenge is to determine the right amount of traction in order to protect both the rope and the membrane from damage.

Powerful textiles and composite fabrics

This interplay of architectural design and the most modern technical or industrial textiles enables architects to explore completely new design options and to cross traditional limits.

In the context of textile architecture, the advantages of fabrics are used in terms of their flexibility, ease and versatility. By using these materials, organic shapes and complex constructions can be created that could not be feasible with conventional building materials.

The use of long -lived and powerful materials is possible to implement high spans and large areas For this reason, textile building has established itself as a highly specialized sector.

The special static requirements for the tissue itself, such as wind loads or weather resistance, require an extensive engineering know-how in relation to suspension, fastening and tension of the textile components.

In order to meet these challenges, production and cutting of the textile areas of complex patterns, including the latest computer technology, also follow static factors.

Textile facades as bioclimatic building envelopes

Depending on the texture, layout, light transmission, color or pressure, textile facades textile architecture in a unique way.

As a second skin for the building, they offer a bioclimatic building envelope and control solar radiation and heat losses - this significantly increases the energy efficiency of the structures. With SMC2, a pioneer is presented in this industry that designs textile curtain facades and optically upgrades existing buildings as well as the existing habitat.

Textile facades can be wonderfully combined with other facade types (such as wood, steel or mineral material front slices) in order to create individual building styles. The curved shapes literally invite you to imaginatively implement an innovative ideas.

The use of textile roof covers gives buildings a unique look that is characterized by flowing and airy shapes. This feature is often associated with contemporary architecture.

The combination of the filigree wood or steel construction and an elegant textile surface creates numerous options for structural and architectural design elements.

The game of light and shadow

By using textile membranes, the natural light and shadow is used in a special way to give living rooms

The re-projection of light indoors or outdoor or outdoor. As soon as it gets dark, the appearance of a building is fascinating. This type of light architecture perfectly complements a textile facade and opens up new opportunities for innovative communication.

In this area, SMC2 offers a comprehensive service package with a high technical requirement, which includes all the necessary components of a successful project: structural calculations, thermal and acoustic calculations and architectural design including interface management are available.

The shop window front of the department store in Brignais (France) is visually highlighted by the robust steel and the membrane covering. In order to attract attention during the day, the company logo was integrated in the middle of the facade in the screen printing process.

As soon as it gets dark, LED lighting a colorful illumination of the building.

The open -air hall is another field of activity of SMC2 that drives the construction of economic and ecological sports fields. A covered leisure facility with free access that can be used all year round is both sustainable and economically efficient. It offers sports facilities in an inner outdoor area and thus enables activities regardless of the weather.

Short history of textile membrane construction

The history of textile architecture is closely linked to developments in the architectural world. As early as the 1960s , architects began to integrate textiles into their construction projects. The use of textile materials such as membranes and networks made it possible to make building constructions easier and more flexible.

This led to a new era in architecture, in which buildings became true works of art.

An architect that has contributed significantly to the development of textile architecture is Lars Meeß-Olsohn . As the founder of Textile-Architektur GmbH, he realized numerous innovative projects and had a far-reaching influence on the industry.

His visionary ideas and products have revolutionized building with textile materials. His competence network textile architecture has been informing planners and builders for 12 years now about the possibility of building with innovative textiles/foils and their high-quality processing-about a commitment to important trade fairs, an annual brochure and regularly oriented symposia.

Basic rules, methods and construction principles

Textile architecture is generally carried by supports and ropes , whereby those made of steel can also be used. types of support are crucial, which are used depending on the material and size of the area in rope constructions: point -shaped, line -shaped and flat .

With punctiform support, the membrane has high and low points; In the case of line -shaped form, it is designed in an arc shape; While a flat support with throat/bone parts is made.

The "primer" for textile architecture called Tensinet European Design Guide for Tensile Surface Structures provides information about which membranes should be used in a construction project. The publication is published by the renowned organization Tensinet Association, which specializes in all aspects around building with tangible materials such as ropes and membranes.

Structure -based membranes: This design refers to the use of carrier constructions to support the membrane instead of using ropes. A remarkable example of this is the roof of the Gondwanaland in Leipzig, which consists of ETFE film pillows and was integrated into a robust steel structure.

Tension constructions are a construction in which membranes are tensioned by the use of masts and ropes both line and punctiform. This can be done, for example, according to the basic rules of the saddle area or high point area.

Air -supported buildings use an air support blower to create an overpressure under the membrane construction and thereby let them float. These air -air halls do not require any additional load -bearing elements. The construction usually consists of several layers of membrane, insulation and insulation layer materials.

Air -assisted structures are often used as temporary roofing at sporting events. They are also increasingly used as a cover for outdoor pools, which can therefore be used all year round.

The design principles of textile architecture also leave space for the use of steel construction . But there are also more natural options, as HP Gasser AG from Switzerland proves. Their field is wood-membrane halls -a construction in which the roof rests on a scaffolding of wooden masts through tense membranes. Depending on the purpose and optics, steel can even be used for soil carriers - for example as terrace roofing.

Remarkable examples of textile architecture

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

A well -known example of textile architecture is the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi , in which an impressive textile membrane was used to design the roof of the building.

Under his iconic red roof in the heart of the island of Yas is the world's first Ferrari theme park and the greatest attraction of its kind. The park recognizes the passion, excellence, performance and technical innovation, which Ferrari has established over the years and represents today.

As a state-of-the-art leisure attraction, the world-famous architecture firm Benoy created a building for it that reflects a Ferrari with its curved shape and was directly inspired by the classic double curve profile of the Ferrari GT body .

Tubaloon, Norway

Every summer the time has come: the Kongsberg Jazz Festival opens its goals and thus the stage for the Tubaloon . Within three weeks, this membrane sculpture is built up in the historic center of the Norwegian town in order to serve as the main stage of the renowned music festival. It was developed by the American-Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta1 .

Tubaloon consists of a PVC tissue construction that is tensioned like a skin over the static building-despite its size (20 meters high and 40 meters long), it looks slightly through its white membrane tissue and its holding ropes on the floor.

The temporary installation gives the jazz festival a unique atmosphere and becomes a special experience in the middle of the historical backdrop of Congberg. The stage is designed to match the topic of the festival and is reminiscent of wind instruments and human inner ears, which means that it presents itself organically and sculptural.

A translucent membrane cover can be illuminated depending on the mood and gives the installation additional flair.
During concerts, the mussel -like tissue ensures an excellent sound without reinforcement effect, which contributes significantly to the success of the jazz festival.

Allianz Arena, Munich

The highlight of the Munich Allianz Arena - home of FC Bayern - is undisputedly its innovative membrane building: an achievement of great importance within textile architecture. The facade consists of a total of 2,800 pneumatic pneumatic cushions made of ETFE film (short ethylene tetrafluorethylene). These show spans of up to a remarkable 4.25 meters and thus make it clear how great this stadium was actually designed.

The material of the membrane scouts is extremely translucent and weighs just 350 grams per square meter. In addition, it has a high resistance to harmful environmental influences, especially UV light . By using fans, the pillows can be supplied with sufficient pressure at any time - even in adverse weather conditions such as strong wind or snow.

The transparent roof cushions enable a natural daylight inside the stadium while the facade pillows present themselves in white. colors by impressive lighting by around 25,000 fluorescent lamps - depending on which club plays.

Venezuelan pavilion by the architect Fruto Vivas

After the Expo 2000 in Hanover, pavilion designed by the Venezuelan architect Fruto Vivas It took six years for a new location to be found. During this time, the membranes had to be stored under extreme conditions -they were exposed to high temperatures of more than 80 ° C -but surprisingly, all original membranes could be reused.

By applying a protective lacquer, PVC-PES membranes receive an anti-radhesive coating, which makes their surface dirty and easy to clean for several years. The longevity of the material can be up to 20 years depending on the climate, area of ​​application and stress.

PVC-PES is a versatile fabric with high tear resistance and special flexibility that can be used in many areas of application. It is particularly popular with roof or facade structures. One of the special properties of PVC-Pes is its comparatively high light permeability and the fire class "flame retardant".

In addition, it convinces with good kink resistance.

Reception building "Mitoseum" in the Kleinwelka dinosaur park

The idea of ​​the reception building in the park is based on the symbolic representation of the original cell and its division as the origin of life . The process of mitosis serves as an inspiration for the filigree construction, which is in harmony with the natural conditions and thus embodies the nature of Bionik. This makes the development of life visible.

The implementation of this design idea creates a mitosis , which is visible far beyond its borders and arouses initial expectations on arrival. The building acts as a project idea and a model for a successful symbiosis between nature and architecture - characterized by fine shape and balanced structures.

Thus, this building not only reflects an architecturally innovative approach, but also testifies to a profound understanding of how life has developed - namely based on the smallest common denominator: a single cell.

The six phases of the mitosis, starting with the interphase and ending in telophase, serve as inspiration for the building design of this reception building. Their forms can be clearly seen by the height and volume of the building itself from a great distance.

The translucent outer skin consists of ETFE foils in natural colors and thus symbolizes the beauty of life itself. The special design is significant for the unmistakable appearance of this place of identity of the effect - a real eye -catcher!

The building was deservedly awarded several times, including the German Varf Award 2017, 3rd place
German Design Award 2018, Winner Excellent Communications Design - Architecture
AIT AWARD - Special Mention I Category "Sport/ Leisure" and the Heinze Award 2017 - 1st place.

Swiss pavilion at Expo Shanghai 2010

The Swiss pavilion on Expo Shanghai 2010 was surrounded by a textile facade that can be viewed in another sense. The facade consisted of a steel network that was produced with galvanized wire ropes with a diameter of four millimeters and an area of ​​3,800 m² was covered and up to 15 meters high.

Environmentally friendly polycarbonate formed a total of about eleventh thousand cells of this textile facade and generated electricity for pavilion operation via solar technology.

Water Cube - National Swimming Center Beijing

The swimming center, which was the venue for the swimming competitions at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, is located together with other sports facilities at the Olympic Boulevard. This extends the center axis of the forbidden city and extends over a side length of an impressive 177 meters and a height of impressive 31 meters above the street level. The building is therefore not only an architectural highlight Beijing but also one of its largest buildings.

Due to its blue shimmering facade, the national swimming center is in dialogue with the Red Nation Stadium - an oval symbol of China's sporting power development during the Olympics. With their mutual addition, the two buildings show the principle of ying and yang : two different elements together form a whole - harmoniously connected to something unique.

The house is deeply rooted in the Chinese tradition and mythology. The architect uses water as a structural and thematic leitmotif to create a connection. He uses the square - the original form of the house in China. The construction is based on a geometric structure: the foam of water in the state of aggregate. The result is a light structure with impressive stability.

The cube, which comprises an area of ​​80,000 m2, is divided into three rectangular functional areas by the two-shell ETFE cover and can also be experienced from the inside of the building. Arup developed the structure for the Watercube on the computer based on the Weaire Phelan structure -a phenomenon that can be observed in crystals-using rotation and several cut operations. The 3-D model served everyone involved as a binding requirement during the construction process.

Materials used in membrane construction

Membra construction includes the use of technical or industrial textiles , which differ significantly from fashion textiles. These materials are used in various applications and are specially selected for their functionality.

In contrast to conventional substances, these textiles are robust, resistant to environmental influences such as moisture and sunlight as well as temperature resistant. They thus meet higher demands on quality and performance than fashionable items of clothing.

The interweaving of these high-quality fibers creates a membrane with a special property: it is water or airtight, but at the same time breathable. This makes them ideal for various construction methods such as tents, roofs or protective clothing in the medical field.

Overall, membrane construction combines textile innovation with a functional design - an important aspect in modern construction and construct.

The technical textiles include:

• Technical cotton fabric, acrylic & polyester fiber fabrics and sun sailing towels: There are a variety of fabrics that can be used for technical cotton fabric. Acrylic and polyester fiber fabrics and sun sailing towels are some of the most popular options on the market. These materials are perfect for use in indoor use or to cover limited areas.
• Polyester tissue with PVC coating (PES-PVC): Polyester fabric that is coated with PVC (PES-PVC) is ideal for use both inside and outside. It has a high flexibility and can therefore be folded or gathered without kinking. In addition, this material has excellent fire protection properties and effective UV protection. However, PVC generally tends to be prone to dirt and should therefore be protected by a protective layer such as fluor lacquer. Nevertheless, due to its extremely robust nature, PES-PVC has enormous tear resistance-even with cracks there is usually no risk of further tearing. However, disposing of used PES-PVC is difficult or impossible due to poisonous additives in the fabric.
• Fabrics made of glass fibers and PTFE: The abbreviation "ptfe" stands for polytetrafluorethylene. The tissue that is coated with this material cannot be bent or gathered - it remains rigid in its shape. Compared to polyester with PVC, it has a lower further tear resistance and tends to bend faster. For these reasons, this material is not suitable for constructions such as event halls, which often have to be built up and reduced; Instead, it is preferred for long -term buildings.
• Silicone -coated glass fiber fabric: In contrast to PTFE, silicone is an excellent coating alternative, since it has high flexibility and is therefore extremely resistant to kink loads.
  The silicone layer also has a remarkable resistance to UV radiation and can easily withstand temperatures up to 70 degrees Celsius. Thanks to the low continuation of silicone, the stability of the construction is also preserved in the event of a crack. Another plus: Both the glass fiber -based carrier material and the silicone surface can be recycled - an environmentally friendly aspect. However, it should be noted when cleaning that siliconeed surfaces can be charged and thereby attract dust particles. To avoid this, it is advisable to use an antistatic paint.
• ETFE foils: These films are used in various areas such as free-hazen, swimming pools or greenhouses as foil pillows. The special properties of this film include a low weight and high light permeability. The newly built Gondwanaland in Leipzig is covered by ETFE films, for example, while the famous Water Cube in Beijing even consists of 100 tons of this special plastic film. In addition, the material is characterized by dirt resistance and the possibility of environmentally friendly disposal.

The aesthetic effect of textiles in the architectural context

In the architectural context, textiles have an aesthetic effect that can significantly shape the character of a building. The fusion of textile architecture and art enables a game with colors, patterns and transparencies that create a unique atmosphere.

The use of membranes and network -like structures creates exciting visual effects and opens up new opportunities in architectural design.

Sustainability topic: Textile architecture An environmentally friendly alternative?

In today's world, in which environmental protection plays an increasingly important role, the question arises whether textile architecture can be an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional building. The merging of sustainability and textile design could be a promising solution.

Textile architecture opens up new possibilities in the construction industry, both in terms of aesthetics and sustainability. The use of textile materials enables flexible construction that offers both economic and ecological advantages.

This includes simpler assembly, flexibility in the design and a reduced amount of required building materials.

The use of textiles can achieve higher energy efficiency thermal insulation and effective lighting . In addition, textile architectural elements are recyclable and thus contribute to a more sustainable construction industry.

Textile architecture also enables efficient energy generation through the use of sun sails or photovoltaic membranes. textiles used can be made or renewable raw materials reduces the ecological footprint .

The interaction of sustainable building and appealing aesthetics shows that textile architecture can be a promising environmentally friendly alternative that points to the future of the construction industry. It is now up to the architects to advance the further development of textile architectural products with their network and new projects and thus make our planet more sustainable.

Challenges in the use of textiles in the construction industry

The assembly and processing of textile components requires a special expertise because the materials must be sensitive and at the same time durable.

A close cooperation between architects, construction companies and specialists for textile architecture is essential to ensure a harmonious integration of textiles into the construction industry.

One of the greatest challenges in the use of textiles in the construction industry is long -term durability and resistance to environmental influences . The building envelope made of textile materials must not only be robust and weather -resistant, but also offer high flexibility and adaptability.

In addition, architects and planners must note that textiles must also meet high fire protection standards in order to ensure the safety of the buildings and their users.

Final words

Finally, it can be stated that the fusion of textile architecture and art represents a fascinating development. Textile architecture is more than just a functional element with a strong sustainability aspect, but rather a creative form of expression.

We have seen from the examples mentioned how textile architecture is brought to life as a work of art in buildings and how colors, patterns and light play a role. We also considered the aesthetic effect of textiles in the architectural context.

The use of textiles in the construction industry harbors challenges, but also great advantages, such as flexibility and easy handling. In addition, the question arises whether textile architecture is an environmentally friendly alternative when it comes to sustainability.

With all these exciting aspects, architects make buildings into artistic masterpieces and, in the course of the past decades, heralded a new era of architecture, which, due to the constant technological change and the emergence of organic building materials, suggests so much frequent potential.

We can be excited to see what the future brings in this industry ...

Sources and references

Here you will find links to references that you can link to your blog to improve the domain authority, the Pagerank, the relevance and overall SEO performance by generating traffic and increasing visibility.

• textile-architektur.de , network of leading companies from the membrane construction, https://www.textile-architektur.de/
• Allplan Blog , https://blog.allplan.com/de/textile-architektur
• Archonic , seal of approval for selected high-quality design products, materials and architectural projects, https://www.architonic.com/de/story/susanne-fritz-stoff-textile-architektur-1/7000625
• Rimpf Architects , https://www.rimpf.de/portfolio/mitoseum_saurierpark_kleinwelka_baustzen/
• German-architects.com , Urzelle and Mitose, https://www.german-architects.com/de/architecture-news/bau-derwoche/urzelle-und-mitose
• Pina GmbH , sail roofing: From textile architecture to membra building, https://www.pina-design.de/informations/blog/textile-architektur-Membranbau

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and managing director of Kunstplaza. Publicist, editor and passionate blogger in the field of art, design and creativity since 2011. Successful conclusion in web design as part of a university degree (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expression painting and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through many years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.

www.kunstplaza.de/