Grimshaw and MDT-tex have launched a tessellating canopy system at the Frankfurt Light + Building design festival and trade fair. The Tensilation Type EV canopy system is the result of a partnership that aimed to develop a product that not only offers the flexibility of modular canopy systems, but also has the engineering advantages of a unified structure.

© Becker Lacour

Grimshaw and MDT-tex have launched a tessellating canopy system at the Frankfurt Light + Building design festival and trade fair. The Tensilation Type EV canopy system is the result of a partnership that aimed to develop a product that not only offers the flexibility of modular canopy systems, but also has the engineering advantages of a unified structure.
© Becker Lacour

Each canopy unit is structurally connected to its neighboring pieces via a watertight capping, with drainage taking place at a series of central supporting columns. A single unit stands at nearly four meters tall, and weighs under 30 kilograms, making Tensilation one of the lightest structures in its class. Through the utilization of tensile design and lightweight fabrics and cables, the product requires no special lifting equipment and can be erected by only three people.

© Becker Lacour

"Tensilation?s overall form is comprised of tessellating diamond and square-shaped canopies that fit together in a variety of configurations, while creating an elegant overall impression," states...