Structural Membranes Used in Modern Building Facades

Technology driven materials, designs and construction techniques play a major role in state of the art building facades. Textile membranes or foils are used more and more often in façades applications becoming an integral part of modern architecture. Today's diversity in lightweight façade options available is one of the key facts for its worldwide success. Membrane façades offer immeasurable opportunities for architectural expression, with free-form and complex geometries being structurally feasible and economically attractive.The paper evaluates general demands on a façade system that can be used as a fundamental check list for the designer if membranes are a possible option for the façade system. Furthermore the paper presents and discusses material and system options, properties but also limits of membrane façades. The presented case studies show the variety of solutions including the typical material combinations. The examples cover all common materials and methods, including ETFE, Glass-PTFE, PVC Polyester, Glass-PTFE mesh as well as multi-layer insulated systems.