New horizons with Tensile Structures

What's the common link between the gossamer woven spider's web, a circus tent, the sleek bus shelter and graceful lines of the luxury hotel sit-out areas? Engineering feats, architectural design or just plain creativity? It is really all of these. Explore the fresh construction options offered by tensile architecture and structures, invites Varsha Trehan.


The wonder of the structures at the Beijing Olympics venues was a revelation to the scope of possibilities utilizing tensile structures in the construction world. Closer home the stadia put up for the Commonwealth Games and various cricket venues incorporated these structures to keep the spectators comfortable. The concept is not new but the technology, material, and design innovations definitely are.

"Tensile membrane structures are complementary to conventional methods of construction, and can be easily combined with steel, aluminum, wood, concrete, etc. Being lightweight, it can be easily integrated into your existing structural details, and are aesthetically also quite appealing, due to the possibility of flowing and dynamic forms," explains Mr Ravi Mehta, Director, Sujan Impex.