Five ideas for membrane construction

A division of HP Gasser AG from Lungern, Obwalden, is membrane construction. At this point we would like to briefly explain the term membrane construction. A look at Wikipedia reveals that “Membrane construction refers to construction using membrane materials as the building material. This refers to skin-like, i.e. thin, flat materials that are easily plastically deformable and can only be statically stressed in tension, but not in compression. Membranes can be of different types, in particular they can be films or (coated or uncoated) textiles (woven, knitted and other flat textile materials), e.g. polyester fabric with PVC coating, glass fiber fabric with PTFE coating, PVC films, ETFE films. In traditional tent construction, animal skins or leather and hides were also used as membranes..

The terms membrane construction and textile architecture are often used almost synonymously in professional discourse. However, they differ in word origin. Thus membranes, which consist of fiber-free film or leather, are not textiles in the strict sense of the word, and conversely rope nets can be classified as textile architecture but not as membranes.

The areas of application for membrane construction are diverse. Often, membranes are used in temporary architecture, in long-span roofs, for example, for flying roofs (over stadiums, gas stations, etc.) as well as roofs over halls and in pneumatic structures (e.g., air domes).

A prominent example of ETFE membrane construction is the Allianz Arena in Munich. Another example, the Water Cube in Beijing, is famous for an entire shell made of multilayer ETFE cushions.”

So far, so good. But if that’s still too intangible for you, we’ve summarized five ideas for membrane construction in this article. Here, we refer to products and services from our own company.

Idea 1 – HPG Memsail® sun sail

Sun sails provide protection from strong radiant sun but also from wind, rain and snow. The stable constructions consist of metal stands, between which by means of tension ropes or also without additional ropes the actual membrane is stretched. This membrane is usually a specially coated fabric with high strength and a long service life. Different shapes and sizes are possible. Such sun sails are suitable for the home garden but also for public areas in municipalities or for specially covered areas in companies, cultural venues, sports facilities, recreational areas, etc.

This photo example shows an HPG Memsail® sun sail built in 2019 for the company Leister Technologies AG in Sarnen as a canopy for a break area.

Idea 2 – HPG Memhall® indoor tennis center

In 2018, we created a special solution for the Wohlen Niedermatten Tennis Club with a spacious airdome for training even in bad weather. Thanks to the window front made of ETFE, the exceptionally attractive hall impresses with a lot of light in the interior. The unobstructed view to the outside makes playing tennis an experience.

Wide, airy and stable even in inclement weather, the tennis hall offers space and comfort in one. Usable such halls are both temporary or with special equipment also as a permanent solution for many years.

The service and cleaning of the materials are also provided by the specialists of HP Gasser AG. By the way, such or similar HPG Memhall® halls can also be used as temporary roofing for swimming pools, as event halls or for warehouses and industry.

Idea 3 – HPG Memfas® dust protection

The problem was as visible as it was annoying. At Zimmermann Umweltlogistik AG in Alpnach, dust emissions kept occurring in certain areas with the corresponding visible consequences. A solution was sought that would not hinder operations in the areas, limit the dust drift, and at the same time also have an attractive external effect.

A solution was found from HP Gasser AG, which planned, fabricated and installed HPG Memfas®, a practical dust protection system.

But HPG Memfas® can do much more. We will show you that with the next idea.

Idea 4 – HPG Memfas® Olympia Sports Complex Baku

In the city of Baku in Azerbaijan, HP Gasser AG has created an exceptionally attractive facade design with HPG Memfas®. Already built in 2015, this façade solution still impresses with its special appearance, long service life and individual effect.

A Stamisol FT 381 membrane in the color “sand beige” was installed. The design and execution captivates inside and outside equally with the special architecture and excellent functionality.

Idea 5 – Car shelter for private and commercial use

Significantly smaller than the Olympic Sports Complex in Baku but no less attractive and functional is a car shelter from HP Gasser AG. The interaction of Mobitec Sàrl and the high-strength membrane covering enables solutions that are absolutely storm- and snow-proof, and just as individual and attractive. From a selection of different car shelters, private customers and businesses or municipalities will find the best solution for the desired car shelter.

Of course always in the usual high HP Gasser quality.

Extraordinary ideas for special solutions

Membrane construction at HP Gasser AG also always stands for solutions that hardly anyone thinks of at first. For example, extension tents offer the simple solution when more space is needed and no massive structures are to be built for this purpose. Tipi tents look visually interesting, can be used in a variety of ways and turn the children’s playground into an adventure world in the style of the ancient Indians.

It becomes really special when dust protection curtains are made up in membrane construction, for example for agriculture or industry. Then benefit and appearance are combined in the best way.

Membrane construction and water always go together really well. For example, water storage basins can be excellently designed with the highly stable membrane fabrics. And for flood protection, fillable water hoses are a conceivable and practical solution. Even stream detour using large water hoses from membrane construction are variants that we are happy to implement for our customers.

If required, we will be happy to inform you about the many possibilities in membrane construction, which are always also special and particular. Sometimes you just have to dare to think further.