Membranes for functional conditioning: report on the design and construction of two active bending structures incorporating reused materials

Abstract

This paper describes the design and assembling process of two experimental structures located in the University of Minho’s School of Architecture, Art and Design, carried out between 2020 and 2022. Both were designed using the concept of active bending, assured by poles made of Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) as supporting elements to membrane mesh made in PVC coated polyester. The assembling process allowed participants to experiment all the steps related with the design and construction of membrane structures with active bending elements, considering their advantages and disadvantages. The ability of membrane structures for the functional conditioning of the built environment was explored in two different scenarios, showing that they can be adequate both in outdoor as in indoor contexts. The idea of learning by doing served as the foundation for the pedagogical practices used. Each practice was discussed and tailored to the specific situation, regarding the conditions of the site, the participants involved and the functional conditioning requirements of each space.