Tensile architecture provides bespoke visual features to your space, with functional benefits to match. Smart materials stand to take things a step further, with self-healing fabrics, energy-generating membranes, and climate-responsive materials all maximising the potential of your tensile structure.
At ARC Structures, we’re committed to bringing you quality tensile architecture at the forefront of the industry to help make your space the best it can be. In this article, we’ll explore what smart materials are, the different types you might find, and how to get the right tensile structure to suit your needs.
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What are Smart Materials?
Smart materials are any materials designed to respond in some way to changes in the environment. This could be something simple, like colour changes based on lighting, or something that seems out of this world, like self-repairing fabrics.
While many types of smart materials are still in experimental phases, they’re worth looking at to see what’s coming up. And you might even get some inspiration for your own project!
Understanding the Types of Smart Materials
To begin, we’ll explore some of the most prominent and promising types of smart materials that are available – or about to be – on the market.
Chromic/Optical Fabrics – inks and coatings enable these materials to shift based on light or temperature, enabling dynamic shading and temperature control. Electrochromic films printed onto the fabric could enable low voltage, on-demand dimming.
Thermal Regulating Fabrics – Phase-Change Microcapsules (PCM) embedded in PVC, PTFE, or silicone can absorb or release heat to smooth out swings in temperature.
Energy Harvesting Power Fabrics – flexible photovoltaics can be laminated onto membranes for lightweight power generation, or smart textiles can be used to harness energy from wind.
Shape-Changing Fabrics – shape-memory alloys and polymers can tighten or relax based on temperatures, shifting the shape and size of the fabrics to adapt in different conditions – potentially reducing the risk for tearing or breakage down the line.
Self-Healing Fabrics – microencapsulated healing agents and reversible chemistries could see micro-tears (invisible to the human eye) being repaired automatically or with heat application – preventing the build-up of small flaws that become larger problems.
Learn about the weather resistance and climate adaptability of tensile structures >
How Smart Materials Enhance Tensile Structures
Tensile structures are already a great way to enhance your space, requiring little in the way of maintenance to persist with beautiful and functional features.
Smart materials take their impact and capabilities a step further. This could be due to:
- Enhanced durability, causing your tensile architecture to last for longer.
- Better sustainability in terms of material composition and end-of-life, aligning with your environmental initiatives and being kinder on the planet.
- Improved efficiency through adaptation to environmental conditions, reduced maintenance (even more than it already has!), and improved energy performance.
How Realistic Are Smart Materials?
In reality, smart materials that regenerate, generate power, or adapt to climate changes aren’t widely available for commercial projects. Many of these materials are still under research, with more required before they make their way onto the market. Although some are available in other industries, they haven’t quite made the move to tensile.
However, by examining their applications in tensile structures – from dynamic shading systems to kinetic façades – we can see how they will shape the future of tensile architecture.
Cutting-Edge Fabrics for Your Tensile Design
Smart materials aren’t always required to obtain a dynamic, bespoke tensile structure. You can achieve similar effects with cutting-edge fabrics that are already in common use.
Here are the top five fabrics that could make an impact on your tensile design:
- PTFE-coated fibreglass. This offers exceptional durability (25–30+ years) and translucency with minimal maintenance, and is available as a solid membrane or mesh.
- PVC-coated polyester. With broad availability and easy application, PVC-coated polyester maintains its flair and functionality for extended periods, even in harsh outdoor environments.
- ETFE foil. Lightweight with multi-layer pillowing, this fabric offers a long-standing solution for façades and features without adding excess glass weight.
- Silicone-coated fibreglass. A “PTFE-adjacent alternative”, this fabric offers similar benefits for lower-spec projects.
- HDPE shade mesh. The knitted structure of these shade meshes offers a breathable design, ensuring airflow while remaining robust and protective in heavy sun.
Find out more about the options for our tensile fabric structures >
Smart and Attractive Tensile Structures from ARC
The smartest materials are the ones that fit your space, design, and vision. Whether you need a tensile structure as an attractive façade, or a robust weather cover that’ll stand the test of time, ARC Structures can work with you to find the best options.
As a team of engineers, designers, project managers, and more, we help you bring your ideas to life – crafting bespoke, durable tensile fabric structures to match. If you’re looking for the next feature to revolutionise your project, then get in touch today!
Explore the role of tensile structures in urban planning >
Compare tensile structures to traditional building methods >