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An Architect’s Guide to Tensile Membrane Building Facades: Improving a Building’s Performance

By February 22, 2018August 6th, 2018No Comments

Tensile fabric architecture and building facades are not new to the building world, but recent advances in the industry have made these structures more versatile and functional than ever before.Tension Facade for Parking Garages

Tensile membrane building facades use a system of tensioned fabrics or membranes to act as a second skin to a building’s exterior, which provides an innovative and cost-effective alternative to the traditional metal mesh facade screens. When designing a new building or planning a renovation, these building facades address a wide variety of common design challenges, including energy efficiency, acoustics, security, and aesthetics.

Efficiency – As energy efficiency continues to dominate conversations across nearly every industry, it’s importance becomes even more significant for architects. Tensile membrane building facades are a perfect way to address concerns about reducing solar heat gain while maintaining desirable visual light transmittance. They also play a major role in helping to minimize urban heat island effect in cities and business hubs that have a higher concentration of concrete as opposed to natural landscapes.

Acoustics – If noise pollution is a challenge that needs to be addressed, tensile membrane building facades can help to damper the sounds from highways, airports, or manufacturing facilities.

Privacy – For projects where interior privacy is a concern, a tensile membrane building facade naturally minimizes the view inside a building from the outside during the day. For evening privacy when lights are illuminated on the interior, LED up-lighting can be designed to achieve the desired night identity.

Aesthetics – When property owners have an iconic vision but a traditional budget, tensile membrane building facades empower architects to create extraordinary designs at a fraction of traditional building costs. From creating a unique silhouette that varies from the building’s actual envelope to incorporating 3D designs, building facades give you the ability to improve a building’s aesthetics with less limitations.

In our Tension Structures division at Eide Industries, we partner with architects across the country to develop innovative solutions for their design challenges. Continual advances in the types of membranes used in building facades have made these structures incredibly durable and long-lasting.

Are Tensile Membrane Building Facades Right for Your Next Project?

In the Tension Structures Division of Eide Industries, we specialize in design, engineering, manufacturing, and installation of structurally complex and creatively challenging commercial, government, and prototype design projects.  Our expertise with tensile facade systems and tension structures supports architects, designers, general contractors, and building owners in their efforts to bring custom tensile membrane projects to life.

Explore the options for your next project by calling 800-422-6827.