So how can tensile structures help? Well, here are a few ideas to conjure with.

Three-dimensional exterior ‘skins’ are now possible, mentioned in a previous post. Beneath the surface you might have a functional office block– and no need to worry about high levels of finish. But to the outside world it’s a veritable work of art… on which the colours change with the temperature.

Overcladding, secondary cladding and rainscreen cladding could be doing far more than just keeping out the elements. Incorporate the new range of tensile membrane materials now available and they can not only perform their official functions, but enhance the appearance of the building too.

 

Fabrics that power the grid

Add in photovoltaic cells and low translucency fabric solar screens covering the window areas and you can reduce the need for air conditioning… and even start powering the grid while the staff discuss last night’s soaps around the water cooler.

In a decade or two, when fashions change, or you want to rebrand it to the new occupier’s corporate colours, you can give the building a face lift… literally… and still be the newest looking office block in town. Making office space more chic – and affordable.

But what I particularly love about this concept is that it can also be readily applied to existing buildings that have passed their sell-by date. New buildings for old, in fact.

Inside they might well be perfectly functional. Nice big, uninterrupted floor plates that let you create all the flexible shapes you need in today’s business environment, were common enough in the 80s and even 70s. And they’re still useful today.

But outside? Say no more. Silk purses and sows ears, as they say. And many are monuments to when glass was king, heating up like parked cars in the desert at the first sign of sunshine.

 

New exteriors for old buildings

Now create a new exterior skin that gives the building a whole new lease of life – preventing the need to knock it down and start again. That decision alone has taken hundreds of tonnes of CO2 off the carbon footprint. Add in the other environmental factors, such as minimising solar gain, and clients, as well as planning, will sit up and say ‘yes please’.

In today’s business environment, not everyone can afford Grade A space. Not everyone wants to sign a lease for more than five years. But there are plenty of potential occupiers who would love to be in landmark building that has perfectly functional space inside and an exterior that shouts ‘style’ and ‘we’re different’ in a very loud voice.

Your thoughts on what tensile structures could do for down-at-heel buildings and the environment? Join the discussion by logging in below.