2016
Science Museum Winton Gallery
Client
Science Museum
Location
London
Architect
Zaha Hadid Architects
Contractor
Base Structures
Client
Science Museum
Location
London
Architect
Zaha Hadid Architects
Contractor
Base Structures
Engineering a flowing tensile structure inspired by aerodynamics
We worked alongside Zaha Hadid Architects to deliver the complex tensile fabric installation at the heart of the Science Museum’s Winton Gallery, translating aerodynamic principles into a striking, suspended architectural form.
Creating a Fluid, Suspended Form
Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the concept was based on the airflow patterns of a 1929 Handley Page aircraft, resulting in an intricate, three-dimensional geometry that appears to float within the gallery space.
The challenge lay in translating this highly complex digital design into a buildable tensile structure. The installation needed to be lightweight yet structurally robust, integrate seamlessly within the museum environment and achieve an exceptional level of precision to maintain the intended visual fluidity.
Precision Engineering Meets Architectural Vision
Working in close collaboration with the design team, we engineered, fabricated and installed a bespoke dual-skin tensile fabric structure using a high-translucency PVC membrane.
Advanced modelling and patterning techniques were used to translate the aerodynamic geometry into precise manufacturable panels, ensuring accuracy across every surface. Each fabric form was constructed as a dual-skinned membrane, with a concealed zip detail allowing adjacent elements to be seamlessly intertwined so that the installation reads as one continuous piece. The supporting framework was carefully designed to minimise visual intrusion while maintaining the structural integrity of the installation.
The result is a suspended form that captures the movement of air in physical space, with the fabric’s smooth, continuous surfaces enhancing the sense of motion and flow throughout the gallery.
A Landmark Installation at the Heart of the Gallery
The completed structure forms the centrepiece of the Winton Gallery, transforming the space into an immersive exploration of aerodynamics and flight.
By combining engineering precision with architectural ambition, the installation delivers visual impact and longevity. It provides a dramatic focal point that enhances visitor engagement through the mathematics exhibition, while remaining fully integrated within the operational needs of the museum.
The project stands as a benchmark for what can be achieved when tensile architecture is used not just as structure, but as storytelling, bringing scientific principles to life through form and clever use of space.
