Tensile membrane & cable
Membranes and cables are prestressed into forms that remain in tension, covering wide areas with little weight.
PTFE, PVC, and cables cannot resist compression, so curvature and prestress keep the surface taut. Form and structure are inseparable.
Airports, stadiums, and pavilions use the system for long spans, shading, and distinctive night silhouettes. Yoyogi’s suspended roof belongs to the same tensile family.
Pattern cutting, welding or seaming, anchors, and flutter under wind or snow require specialized analysis.
Service life depends on membrane type, ultraviolet exposure, dirt, and retensioning. Permanent architecture demands refined edge and drainage details.
