Fabric Structures: Trends of Fabric Structures in Architecture: Fid-Bau Portal

Fabric Structures: Trends of Fabric Structures in Architecture

A. H. Yousufi

The aim of the research project was to describe the state of the art of Fabric Structure, as a development from traditional nomad dwellings, via emergency tent shelters for housing up to current large-span structural applications in modern architecture. It begins by focusing on the form and structure of traditional tents, and the techniques associated with traditional building materials. It describes the physical and structural properties of materials, its construction and the geographical styles associated with its use. It also explains how the building process is related to the choice of materials, and its evolution through history. The evolution of these simple shelters is an attempt to evaluate and understand the different cultural and structural concepts behind the different traditional tents and its impulses for the current state of the art. It then examines the current development of fabric structure in architecture. It discusses contemporary themes which influence the design and construction of membrane structures today. Also in current membrane designs there is a responsive and sensitive balance between the skills and ingenuity of the designer and builder, and the available materials, structural systems, products and inventions.