Tensile fabric facades have emerged as a recent trend in the construction industry, offering a simple, economic, and optimized framing system for building envelopes. By attaching lightweight membrane materials to a building's exterior, such as concrete slabs or steel columns, these facades provide a versatile solution for refurbishment projects.
One of the key advantages of tensile fabric facades is their ability to offer nearly unlimited design possibilities. With PVC membranes available in a wide range of standard colors and the option for printed graphics, architects and designers can unleash their creativity and bring any design concept to life. The silver-colored mesh fabric is often preferred for its aesthetic resemblance to aluminum panels, while still providing greater transparency.
Tensile fabric facades offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional cladding systems. The lightweight and flexible nature of the membrane materials significantly reduces the need for extensive structural steel support framing. This not only lowers construction costs but also allows for faster installation and refurbishment processes. By optimizing the use of materials and minimizing waste, these facades contribute to improved structural efficiency and sustainability.
These facades maximize daylight penetration, reducing the need for artificial lighting and minimizing energy consumption. The membrane materials also help to minimize solar heat gain, improving thermal comfort and reducing the need for excessive cooling systems.
Few of the above project images from Serge Ferrari