The upcoming TensiNet 2019 is approaching!

The symposium will take place at Politecnico di Milano, from the 3rd to the 5th of June 2019 and its main theme is Softening the Habitats.
Sustainable innovation in Minimal Mass Structures and Lightweight Architectures. We propose a
twofold reflection by means of the conference and its counterbalance, the IN.TENSION exhibition
that will be held from the 3rd to 15th of June 2019. Concerning the latter, we invite you to
contribute to the establishment of tensile constructions in the current framework by participating
in the IN.TENSION call for exhibiting (see: www.tensinet2019.polimi.it ).
About the conference, more than 60 contributions so far cover a wide spectrum of the three main
planks of the 6th TensiNet edition: Soft Structures (June the 3rd), Softening the Environment (June
the 4th) and Soft Skin (June the 5th) that are introduced by an inspiring mix of keynote lectures. In
the first day session, lightweight structures are explored mostly in terms of structural
performances of membranes (demountable, kinetic and kinematic, foldable, complex and hybrid)
and pneumatics, and innovation in the production and installation processes. The IN.TENSION
exhibition is presented at the end of the morning session. Keynote lectures are given by Christoph
Paech (Schlaich Bergemann Partner, Germany) whose lecture explores retractable membrane
structures highlighting requirements such as flexibility, sustainability and adaptability of these
structures to different venues, and Julian Lienhard (str.ucture GmbH, Germany) whose research
focuses on form-finding process of hybrid structures. To conclude the conference’s first day, a
field trip in the historical centre of the city of Milan is planned.
The second day session is devoted to deepening the Softening the Environment topic: several
contributions address on one hand the theme of lightness in architecture towards environmental
sustainability, on the other advancements on regulatory framework, with a focus on material
analysis and performance assessment. We are honoured to announce that Neven Sidor
(Grimshaw, UK) has recently joined the conference as a keynote speaker! Deputy Chairman of the
internationally awarded Grimshaw Partners, architect Andrew Whalley introduces the different
range of projects of the practice, with a particular attention to the design process of the Dubai
Expo 2020 Sustainability Pavillion. Furthermore, as Softening the Environment keynote speakers,
Maibritt Pedersen Zari (Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand) explores the concept of
regenerative design and cross-semination between ecology, biology and architecture. Professor
Norihide Imagawa (TIS&Partner, Japan) instead presents a collection of projects realized during
his career, particularly focusing on the link between structural design and “Nature of Structure” as
he himself defines. In the afternoon, there is a joined panel session with IASS (International
Association for Shell and Spatial structures) on the advancements of the Environmental
Compatible Structures (WG 18) seminar. Then, an Open Talk is expected to share with a wider
community the pivotal themes of the TensiNet Working Groups. To conclude the second day of
the conference, the Castello Sforzesco is the impressive location for the planned social dinner
event.
On the third day session, contributions concentrate on the Soft Skins topic: building physics
performances of membrane and foil-based skins are investigated, as well as how lighter skins can
potentially generate novel ideas on habitats. The session is opened by the lectures of Jan Knippers
(Institute for Building Structures and Structural Design, Germany), who specialises in the field of
innovative and resource-efficient constructions, and Mette Ramsgaard Thomsen (Centre for IT
and Architecture, KADK, Denmark) whose lecture focuses on knitted fabrics and the intersection
between architecture and computer science.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Milan, we gladly inform you that registration to the 6th
TensiNet symposium is now open and that you may proceed to register before the 28th of
February in order to take advantage of our early bird discount. For the details, please visit the
official TS19 website or contact us by email.

http://www.tensinet2019.polimi.it/

Textile Roofs 2019

This edition of Textile Roofs aims to facilitate an intense dialogue on emerging topics in the field of textile architecture and gather an international expert community, who is able to drive the progress.

Textile Roofs is designed to be not just “another conference”, but rather a practical tool for exceptional minds and outstanding experts who will work together in an open and collaborative atmosphere to share their knowledge and insight views on both: general market opportunities and the best approaches to build with textiles, based on specific projects.

This year we partner with the “6th Symposium on TEXTILE-ARCHITEKTUR” organized by our friend and supporter Dr. Lars Meeß-Olsohn (www.textile-architektur.de) and held in German language on May, 21st at the TR19 venue. We are happy to welcome his guests. Let us celebrate together membrane constructing and discuss very concretely about current projects, use and development as well as technical features of membrane materials, new applications and international market situation in this field.

We are convinced that together with you we can make Textile Roofs 2019 a remarkable event with a lot of benefits for everyone who shows up.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the 24th Textile Roofs in Berlin!

If you are interested in a ticket discount, please contact Katja Bernert: Katja.bernert@lowandbonar.com