thesmalllittlethings: Inflatable Structures

Inflatable Diamond Grid Eco-Pavilion

A mobile performance space for Yorkshire Forward. Based upon a set of structural concepts perfected in their collapsible stadium, the inflatable event space is ultra-portable, generates all of its own energy, and is 100% recyclable. The venue can be easily reconfigured to hold both small and large crowds, and it’s versatile enough to host everything from intimate gatherings to outdoor concerts.

It fully inflates in a little more than an hour, and should the pavilion’s lifespan ever come to an end, the entire skin is 100% recyclable through a process called Texyloop.

Additional innovative features include the mounting of solar panels on top of its shipping container, which allows the pavilion to generate energy while it is being transported. Once the structure has been set up, wind turbines will help generate the power needed to maintain the inflatable structure and any lighting systems deployed during the evening. The hope is that the pavilion will be completely self-sustaining and will provide a versatile performance space even in off-the-grid locations.

As this structure will erected 2-3 days at a time for a 6 month travel season you can extend the 5 year lifespan by 3 or 4 times when it comes to sun exposure. We were quoted more than a 5 year lifespan on the Ferrari textiles in question.

more at dezeen.

Each structure is typically comprised of two layers of a fire retardant composite textile connected together using formers of the same material. The cavity formed between the layers is pressurised with air producing an extremely rigid structural element which allows large spans to be achieved whilst keeping the overall weight of the structure to a minimum.

The unique welded construction of our buildings combined with the types of textiles used enables them to operate at higher pressures than conventional inflatable structures. This results in a much more rigid building ideally suited to both temporary and permanent indoor and outdoor applications. - tectoniks.