Frei Otto: Pioneering Architecture and the Munich Olympic Stadium
Early Life and Influences
Frei Otto, a visionary architect born in Germany in 1925, is renowned for his groundbreaking work in sustainable design and lightweight construction. His early experiences and inspirations helped in forming his avant-garde approach to design. Otto had a love of the natural world and a curiosity for the concepts of biomimicry. He respected the grace and functionality of natural forms and buildings while growing up in a rural area, which later shaped his architectural philosophy.
Otto's profession was also shaped by his experiences and schooling. Later, he served as an apprentice in several architectural firms after completing his studies in architecture at the Technical University of Berlin. He was exposed to cutting-edge concepts and ideas at this time, such as lightweight constructions and tensioned membranes, which would later play a crucial role in his design methodology.
Innovative Design Approach
His passion for nature and dedication to employing basic materials to build effective and sustainable structures were the defining characteristics of Frei Otto's revolutionary design methodology. He thought architects should study nature and incorporate its adaptability and survival mechanisms into their designs. Otto's strategy used biomimicry, a design philosophy that takes cues from organic structures, functions, and systems.
One crucial component of Otto's design strategy was his focus on thin, tensioned membranes and lightweight constructions. When he built structures that were light, flexible, and responsive to environmental circumstances, he investigated novel construction techniques and materials like steel cables and fabric membranes. He produced inventive designs using this method that reduced the negative environmental impact of his buildings while still being resource-efficient in material use.
The German Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal and the Mannheim Multihalle in Germany are examples of projects that showcase Frei Otto's revolutionary design philosophy. The German Pavilion, also called the 'Floating Tent', was a groundbreaking building constructed of a steel cable-net structure and translucent fabric membrane, which produced the illusion of transparency and weightlessness. Otto exhibited his mastery of lightweight, sustainable design concepts in the impressive tensile membrane roof of the Mannheim Multihalle - a sizable exposition hall supported by a steel cable-net system.
Munich Olympic Stadium
The Munich Olympic Stadium, which Frei Otto and Gunter Behnisch created for the 1972 Summer Olympics, is among his most well-known works. The stadium is renowned for its revolutionary design which pushed the frontier of architectural innovation. Otto's design featured a tensile membrane structure that covered the entire stadium and measured over 74,000 square metres.
The translucent fabric membranes that made up the tensile membrane ceiling of the Munich Olympic Stadium were supported by an intricate system of steel cables and poles. The roof gave the stadium a sensation of lightness and transparency, making it seem to float above it. Otto's architecture had a spectacular aesthetic quality, but it also had useful features like weatherproofing, diffused natural light, and better acoustics for the audience.
Stadium architecture and construction has been influenced by the revolutionary design of the Munich Olympic Stadium. It presented lightweight, flexible solutions that were more efficient and sustainable than the traditional strategy of using heavy, rigid structures. Otto's architectural principles have been widely incorporated into contemporary stadium architecture.
About Fabric Architecture
At Fabric Architecture, we provide comprehensive services for tensile fabric architectural solutions. Shade sails, canopies, tensioned facades, and other unique fabric structures are all within the scope of our design, manufacture, and installation skills. High-quality tensile fabric structures recognised for their cutting-edge design, strength, and aesthetic appeal form our primary product range.
How we’re delivering project management that clients need
At Fabric Architecture, we pride ourselves on producing innovative solutions that deliver above and beyond client specification. From design and engineering through to manufacturing and installation, we know the key to creating excellence is via delivering consistent expertise. But how do we do it?
Well, we have been at this a while. Sitting at the forefront of the industry for over 40 years has allowed us to lead the way in the design and installation of elegant and impactful tensile fabric structures all over the world. But reimagining tensile fabric to deliver original, effectual, and trailblazing constructions globally needs something more than design innovation. It also takes a unique understanding and ability to meet (and exceed) client needs, manage complex supply chains, and still deliver on time and to budget.
Project management: It’s all in the method
While no two projects are the same, there is a method to our madness. Or as we like to call it, our genius. Our project management is delivered in several key stages, all of which ensure a high level of care at each stage of the journey, including close communication with clients every step of the way. Here’s an example…
Currently under construction is Trecco Bay Holiday Park. Utilising a series of ornate tree columns to support multiple barrel vaults and flying conics that unify the existing retail and leisure promenade, the aim of this project is to breathe new life into a tired site. Involved from the outset at the project’s inception, Fabric Architecture were integral in providing technical assistance at the design stage, making sure that a seamless design and installation process could be achieved with as little disruption as possible. Not only does this ensure alignment with client deadlines and expectations, but it also helps avoid unexpected engineering hiccups and keeps a happy and healthy supply chain ticking over.
What else is there to know about Fabric Architecture?
We’re fresh thinkers, problem solvers and creative visionaries, reimagining tensile fabric to deliver original, effectual, and trailblazing constructions globally, and across multiple sectors. Operating throughout the UK, North America and the Middle East region, at Fabric Architecture we ensure a sustainable and innovative solution for our clients. Prioritising architectural solutions that protect our planet and focus on creating a better, more ecological future for all. Plus, we pride ourselves on building strong relationships with architects, contractors and decision-makers based on honesty and experience.
To see some of our other projects and tensile fabric structures in action, then check out our projects page.
Interested in working with us?
We transform original concepts into buildable, sustainable, and memorable tensile fabric solutions. Supporting our clients throughout the entire process, we use our significant knowledge of tensile fabrics, and the engineering behind them, to realise the full potential of every design.
Get in contact today if you’d like to find out more.
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram
How to ensure a more effective tendering process with Fabric Architecture
At Fabric Architecture, we’ve had our fair share of experience when it comes to the successes and failures of securing a project win, and we pride ourselves on utilising our extensive experience to deliver above and beyond client specification when scoping out a project. That’s why we’re ideally placed to support our partners when it comes to ensuring a smooth and seamless tendering process.
Achieving a successful tender process: It’s a creative journey
The way we approach each project is to make sure we take a high level of care at each stage of the journey to ensure concept, design, engineering, installation, and budget are accurately and appropriately accounted for at every project stage. This then allows an accurate representation of what we can deliver – original, effectual, and trailblazing tensile fabric structures constructions across multiple sectors.
Often, we’ve found that projects we’ve taken on could have benefitted from a smoother and more transparent process if we were able to support the client when they were at the tendering stage. That’s why we’re always more than happy working with clients from the point of inception. Assisting in the drawing and planning required before they get to tender stage. Not only does this aid a more effective tender process, but it also encourages a more successful execution.
For example, a recent project we worked on with Cheshire Oaks Shopping Centre Play Area outlines just how our involvement at the earliest stage can make a huge impact on the success of a project.
In August 2021 the Cheshire Oaks shopping centre at Ellesmere Port unveiled a new play area. Featuring in-ground trampolines, slides and climbing towers with a protective rubber floor, Fabric Architecture were responsible for the design and engineering of the large double conic fabric structure which is held up with central masts. As well as creating a visually stunning structure, it’s also designed to protect users from the elements, ensuring full use all year round. With climbing towers built around the masts, and linked by a crawl way, the solution we created integrates perfectly with the slides and other play equipment. The architects who worked on the project are called Carve, and you can find more information about the project via their website. To see the play area in action, take a look at this shoppers’ video on YouTube.
The key? To start early
On this project, the main works contractor required additional support to review the engineering. We completed this review and were able to offer solutions to help complete the project.
This is just one example of where the Fabric Architecture team can add real value for clients. Helping them to scope out the realities of a project and offering expert input into design and engineering aspects of builds. Often, we’ll also help clients come up with a scheme and drawings before they even submit their tender. More of than not, the outcome is a success, and it’s a success based on expertise, substance and accuracy of the tender.
What else is there to know about Fabric Architecture?
We’re fresh thinkers, problem solvers and creative visionaries, reimagining tensile fabric to deliver original, effectual, and trailblazing constructions globally, and across multiple sectors. Operating throughout the UK, North America and the Middle East region, at Fabric Architecture we ensure a sustainable and innovative solution for our clients. Prioritising architectural solutions that protect our planet and focus on creating a better, more ecological future for all. Plus, we pride ourselves on building strong relationships with architects, contractors and decision-makers based on honesty and experience.
To see some of our other projects and tensile fabric structures in action, then check out our projects page.
Interested in working with us?
We transform original concepts into buildable, sustainable, and memorable tensile fabric solutions. Supporting our clients throughout the entire process, we use our significant knowledge of tensile fabrics, and the engineering behind them, to realise the full potential of every design.
Get in contact today if you’d like to find out more.
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram
Why choose a fabric canopy
Technological development of materials
Rapid technological development in materials has vastly improved material performance. This has improved strength and flexibility and also improved life expectancy of the material. A well maintained fabric canopy can last for years. Our tensile fabric canopies have a live expectancy of 10 to 30+ years.
You can see in the materials section of our website that we offer a huge range of material choice. Each material will have specific benefits which gives flexibility to meet the requirements of any brief.
Shelter and shade solutions with a fabric canopy
We have a range of re-engineered and ready to install Signature Structures. These are customisable to your requirements and can meet any application. Our key markets are event and exhibition halls, hospitals, hotels, restaurants and bars, leisure centres, retail spaces, schools and universities and theme parks.
If your requirement cannot be met from one of our Signature Structures then no problem. We can design and build a Bespoke Structure to your specification and build something unique that will answer your brief.
Fabric canopy examples
Our website is packed with fabric canopy projects we have successfully delivered. Here are just a few to give you an idea of the different solutions that we can deliver.
Stanstead Airport
An £80m terminal redevelopment programme for Stanstead airport included a brief to develop a covering for some outdoor spaces. We were asked to design, engineer and install a series of tensile canopies for the airport’s meet & greet valet parking service.
The finished structure covered over 600sqm of car parking space, providing welcoming and practical shelter for customers dropping off their vehicles at the premium parking area.
The finished fabric canopy comprises a low-impact barrel canopy of white PVC fabric on a striking steel framework. The framework is galvanised and powder coated to meet the 25+ year life-expectancy specification.
University of Middlesex
Over £9 million was invested in refurbishing the UK’s number 1 cruise port, enabling the terminal to
As part of a remit to improve social spaces at Middlesex University, we were selected to supply tensile fabric structures as a shade and shelter canopy solution for the Hendon Campus in North West London.
The area where the fabric canopy is located is a fire escape route and assembly point, so we recommended an inherently flame-retardant woven glass fabric. Environmentally friendly and highly-translucent, the fabric suits the overall simplistic design.
Next Head Office
After commissioning a nursery for their staff, Next asked us to design a solution for the open air courtyard that the facility wraps around.
We selected a specialist fabric that is semi-translucent with a light transmission of 35%. On its upper surface a heat protective coating gives the fabric a beautiful pearlescent finish, which also helps prevent dirt from settling. This fabric solution comes with a standard 15 year standard warranty.
Chester Racecourse
As the oldest racecourse still in operation in the world, Chester Racecourse has a great history. Established in 1539, it’s an award winning racecourse and we were delighted to work with such a prestigious venue.
Our brief was to design, engineer and install two new entrance canopies ahead of the Boodles May Festival.
Chandlery Square
This is a really interesting hotel. The architect’s nautical theme for a “Shipping Container Hotel”, with views across the Bristol Channel to the Severn Bridge, included the creation of a pub and a 120-seat restaurant as well as the 45-room hotel.
This new bar and restaurant is made from 28 recycled shipping containers. In line with the industrial boatyard theme, the fabric canopy we designed was also a quirky design. We patterned one 25m long fabric canopy to sit half way up the 10m high masts, with aesthetic ‘rigging’ in the form of stainless steel cables running between them.
About Fabric Architecture
We are a dedicated and creative team of in-house experts. We have been delivering tensile fabric structures for 40 years. We pride ourselves on building strong relationships with architects, contractors and decision-makers based on honesty and experience.
We focus on excellence - creating tensile fabric structures that are innovative and of superior quality, and that benefit from the latest technologies and manufacturing techniques.
Working with Fabric Architecture
We transform original concepts into buildable, sustainable and memorable tensile fabric solutions. Supporting our clients through this creation journey, we use our significant knowledge of tensile fabrics and the engineering behind them to realise the full potential of every design.
Get in contact today if you want to find out more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIN and Instagram
Maximise space with covered walkways
Our covered walkways can be designed to blend into the surroundings and existing style of the buildings. They can also bring architectural flare and a great design ethic that can enhance the aesthetic of a building while also offering a practical solution.
Practical and inspired design of covered walkways
Current choices in materials and technological developments in synthetic fabrics and associated topcoatings has allowed a rapid growth in the covered walkways market. Using flexible materials means flexible designs. Covered walkways can be both practical but also innovatively designed.
Rapid technological development in materials has vastly improved material performance. This has improved strength and flexibility and also improved life expectancy of the material. A well maintained fabric canopy can last for years. Our tensile fabric canopies have a live expectancy of 10 to 30+ years.
You can see in the materials section of our website that we offer a huge range of material choice. Each material will have specific benefits which gives flexibility to meet the requirements of any brief.
Three examples of covered walkways
Our website is packed with projects we have successfully delivered. Here are just a few of our covered walkways to give you some inspiration. Whatever your job, need or brief we can work with you to deliver the right solution
Canolfan Addysg y Bont
This co-educational day special school specialises in the care and education of students between the ages of 3 and 19 who are diagnosed as having severe learning difficulties.
As part of an £8.5m construction project, we were selected as the preferred supplier for fabric structure to provide covered walkways around the school’s high-traffic areas.
The design of the 34m long curved fabric structure walkway is unusual, with double canopies forming a “gull-wing” which provides as much cover as possible, while keeping the concrete foundations to a minimum. The 3m high clearance on the underside of the canopies allows school buses and cars to get close to the main entrance, providing their passengers with full wet-weather shelter.
Southampton City Cruise
Over £9 million was invested in refurbishing the UK’s number 1 cruise port, enabling the terminal to accommodate some of the largest cruise vessels afloat. Part of the refurbishment included a 320m2 curved fabric structure providing an all-weather walkway for travellers moving between terminal buildings.
The design for this bespoke six-peaked conic tensile fabric structure was complicated by a 46m curved walkway. Patterning the fabric for a structure to imitate the curve exactly was an engineering challenge and one that Fabric Architecture relished. The 40m x 8m curved fabric structure was installed as a single fabric unit requiring a unique triple crane lift to hoist it onto its bespoke steel framework.
To ensure the space is dry, the structure over sails and under sails connecting buildings and a fabric rain gutter was installed around the perimeter of the canopy. The result is functional and beautiful.
Bulwell Academy
The Bulwell Academy consists of a series of buildings interlinked with eight of the UK’s largest Inverse Conic tensile fabric structures. These structures cover a courtyard creating a ‘town square’ also used by the community. As part of the school’s sustainability strategy, the Inverse Conics are designed to harvest rainwater.
The challenge was to design a series of tensile fabric structures that would completely cover the school’s courtyard, allowing staff and students to move freely between buildings all under all-weather protection.
About Fabric Architecture
We are a dedicated and creative team of in-house experts. We have been delivering tensile fabric structures for 40 years. We pride ourselves on building strong relationships with architects, contractors and decision-makers based on honesty and experience.
We focus on excellence - creating tensile fabric structures that are innovative and of superior quality, and that benefit from the latest technologies and manufacturing techniques.
Working with Fabric Architecture
We transform original concepts into buildable, sustainable and memorable tensile fabric solutions. Supporting our clients through this creation journey, we use our significant knowledge of tensile fabrics and the engineering behind them to realise the full potential of every design.
Get in contact today if you want to find out more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIN and Instagram
Badbury Heights Public Art Installation
Signature Structures reach artistic heights
We were approached by Tim Ward of Circling the Square to design and install a tensile fabric canopy for an art project he’d be commissioned on at the Badbury Heights housing development. Developer Persimmon Homes had allocated funding to North Dorset District Council for the provision of public artwork that told the town’s history.
Tim’s sculptured seating concept – which intricately represents historical moments from Blandford’s past – required a cost-effective canopy structure that would need minimal maintenance and provide long-lasting weather protection.
We proposed a Mistral shade canopy from our Signature Structures collection as a convenient, pre-engineered solution with scope to be customised to meet the brief. Manufactured using UV and water-resistant fabric, it has a life expectancy of 10 to 30+ years.
To create an open and inviting bench canopy, we re-engineered the 5m x 5m Mistral system to work with more substantial vertical steel mast supports in place of the existing angled supports that require additional ‘backstays’ for stability. The result is an organic centrepiece canopy that enhances the beautifully sculptured benches while providing shade protection and rain cover.
Thank you to Tim Ward and Circling the Square for involving Fabric Architecture in such an interesting project – and we hope the people living in and around Badbury Heights enjoy this artistic canopied seating for many years.
Why opt for a tensile fabric structure?
In this article, we focus on the environmental benefits of building with tensile fabric and the material choices available.
Our structures are very adaptable and can be custom designed into almost any shape you require. Using tensile fabric brings a lightness to a building that can’t be achieved otherwise. The large spans mean fewer columns, giving more useable floor area and open sightlines.
The designs we create utilise the principle of a tensile membrane with double curvature, which is a very efficient way to build. This makes the supporting frame lighter, too. Typically, the superstructure weighs around 32 kg/m2, approximately 25% less than a metal-clad canopy and far less than a masonry structure.
Reducing environmental impact
This approach delivers cost savings of at least 20%. More important, however, are the carbon savings with this low-carbon way of building. Embodied carbon (embodied CO2) is lower than an equivalent polycarbonate canopy by 32% in studies (95 kg CO2/m2 versus 140 kg CO2/m2). Embodied energy is also much lower, helping the transition towards net zero emissions (1038 MJ/m2 versus 1634 MJ/m2).
At the end of its life, a tensile fabric structure can be fully recycled. Our concrete foundations, steel frame and aluminium fixings all have well-established recycling routes. The fabric, too, has a manufacturer-supported recycling process. (See Serge Ferrari partner of the Polyloop Start up for a new recycling project.)
You can also use our structure as the catchment area for a rainwater harvesting system. We can design integral downpipes to direct clean water into your system, helping you meet the requirements for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).
Unlike with a metal or tiled roof, the materials we use to create tensile fabric structures are translucent, letting through enough daylight to achieve the 500lux needed for indoor sports venues – all for free and using zero electricity! Night-time illumination isn’t a problem either thanks to the fabric’s reflective inner surface that creates an even illumination from uplights.
Maximising the material
Most of our tensile structures use woven polyester coated with PVC / PVDF (generally referred to as ‘PVC fabric’ in the industry). This has been continuously improved to achieve a lifespan of 20+ years and is available in a range of colours. For peace of mind, the fabrics meet UK and international fire standards.
Other fabrics available for specific requirements include woven fibreglass coated with either PTFE (Teflon) or Silicone, which we use at garden centres because it allows UVA light through for plant growth. ETFE foil/film is another great option for this environment, creating a glass-like effect that allows 95% of light through.
All Fabric Architecture canopies and structures are designed and manufactured in the UK, meaning a quick turnaround and focused customer service for our clients. We can also arrange maintenance programmes and replace damaged fabrics, regardless of the original manufacturer. Do you think tensile fabric could be the building material of choice for your next project? We’d love to hear from you and help you develop your design concepts.
Have you seen our free 3D Model Library?
Tensile structures and fabric structures are still a relatively niche product and we understand many architects and designers may not have the time to familiarise themselves with the basic principles and shapes required to create beautiful and practical tensile structures. This can lead to issues with design and costing and often to last minute decisions on whether to keep the tensile elements or not which can often seen as be surplus to the overall specification.
Here at Fabric Architecture we obviously see fabric as anything but surplus to a beautiful design and with this is mind, we have made our most popular structures available in dwg. files making them accessible to drag and drop directly onto your CAD plans and 3D modelling platforms. With the increasing use of technology, the rise of BIM and improvements in modelling software’s it is important for all members of the design, engineering, or construction industry to remain current and accessible. We know collaborative working is the future of the industry, increasing coordination, quality of planning, transparency, and accountability.
The 3D model library is available through the education section of our website, where you can sign-up to receive a free dropbox download of all 74 files spanning a rage of sizes and styles suitable for outdoor use. Whether you are designing schools, business parks, or outdoor event spaces, there are plenty of structures perfect for the job.
Our 3D Model Library is available to architects, designers, and students alike as we aim to take the stress out of your technical planning.
We would love to see what we help to create so remember to tag us @fabric_architecture_ using #fabricarchitecture
Effective brise soleil shading solution for Maurice Wilkes Building
The conic form is created using a flying mast supported on three slender braces which spring from the building. The edges are held with cables in hidden edge pockets. The fabric is a highly translucent architectural material with a life expectancy of over 20 years.
The Maurice Wilkes Building is situated at St John’s Innovation Park in Cambridge. An article in architectsdatafile.co.uk has more detail about the building.
Fabric Architecture realise the dream of architectural practice Wintersgill
The structure was engineered, manufactured and installed by Fabric Architecture over a live shopping centre during a four week period.