Tensilation Modular Canopy System

Offering flexible arrangement and the strength of a unified structure, the Tensilation canopy system is both durable and flexible. Supported by a central aluminium column, its square or diamond-shaped forms allow for changeable, interlocking arrays with a unified appearance.

 

Formed of aluminium profiles and galvanised steel cables, the foldable units use a tensile structural system to keep their weight to a minimum. The canopy provides shade, weather protection and resistance to debris, with elegantly detailed edges that can be joined together to create a continuous waterproof shelter.

Designed for use individually, or accumulated to provide an annex to a building, its lightweight frames and forms adapt to accommodate a range of crowd sizes. Assembled collectively, their increased size gives greater strength, becoming highly resilient to loading and winds.

Tensilation won a Red Dot Award. →

Purchase a Tensilation canopy →

The concept for Tensilation began as a computational design of a formation which was infinitely expandable, and it could take any number of forms to suit a variety of applications.

Tensilation was the result of an intense period of collaboration between Grimshaw's Industrial Design team and the tensile structure manufacturers MDT-tex, culminating in the canopy's debut at Clerkenwell Design Week 2015.

Project Type
Industrial Design →

Client
MDT-tex

Status
Complete

Year
2015