HomeArchitectureElementsTensile membrane

Tensile Membrane

Lightweight fabric roofing.

Overview

Tensile membranes, using fabric and cables, create lightweight, flexible roofs for modern structures globally.

Core Characteristics

  • Stretched fabric surfaces.
  • Cable-supported systems.
  • Organic forms.

Notable Examples

  • Munich Olympic Stadium (Germany, 1972).
  • Millennium Dome (UK, 2000).

Architectural Connections

  • Modern: 20th–21st century.
  • Civic, Commercial: Stadiums, pavilions.
  • Contemporary Architecture: Core movement.

Influence and Legacy

Enables innovative, lightweight designs.

Related Concepts & Techniques

Fabric Construction (technique), Tension (theory), Roof (element), Contemporary (movement)