The project is embedded in the module "Membrane Workshop – Design and Construction", led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lars Schiemann, Hochschule München, and Dr.-Ing. Ann-Kathrin Goldbach, Deputy Director at the Chair of Structural Analysis and Dynamics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Munich (TUM).
This unique collaboration investigates the design process, structural behavior, and execution of wide-span lightweight structures in membrane and foil construction. Drawing from historical developments, the course also addresses current and future trends in the planning and realization of complex lightweight systems.
Students engage with both experimental and digital form-finding methods, including stocking models, soap film experiments, and parametric tools such as Kiwi!3D, Rhino, and Grasshopper. The module combines lectures, workshops, excursions, and a hands-on design project, offering a comprehensive understanding of the entire process—from concept to construction.
A highlight of the project is its interdisciplinary nature, bringing together architectural creativity and engineering precision. This initiative fosters collaboration across disciplines and equips students with the skills to shape the future of lightweight structural design.
The resulting models were showcased at the international Structural Membranes conference, held from October 8–10, 2025 at TUM, organized by Prof. Roland Wüchner, head of the Chair of Structural Analysis, and Dr.-Ing. Ann-Kathrin Goldbach.