The Foshan Century Lotus Sports Center, located in Foshan New City, Guangdong Province, was built for the 12th Guangdong Provincial Games and has become a landmark of the city. The center, designed by the German firm GMP, covers 42 hectares and includes a stadium and a swimming and diving hall. The stadium, named "Century Lotus" for its lotus-shaped design, features a membrane roof that is both striking and functional.

The roof, which was completed in 2006, spans 310 meters in diameter and is made of PVDF membrane material. The structure includes a double-ring design: an inner tensile ring made of steel cables and an outer compression ring supported by concrete-filled steel pipes. The roof is designed to withstand the high humidity and tropical climate of Foshan, which is characterized by hot and damp conditions. The membrane's excellent durability and UV resistance are essential for enduring the region's challenging weather, with wind speeds reaching up to 28m/s.

The membrane structure not only provides superior environmental resistance but also adds to the aesthetic appeal of the stadium, making it a recognizable symbol in Foshan. The roof's unique design allows for easy maintenance while offering optimal protection from the elements, contributing to the stadium’s long-lasting functionality and iconic status.

Membrane structures, especially those made with PVDF membrane materials and tensile membranes, have become a popular choice in modern architecture due to their unique aesthetic appeal and outstanding performance. However, like any complex construction process, the installation of membrane structures requires careful attention to detail to avoid common mistakes that can affect their appearance and longevity. In this article, we will explore the key points to consider during membrane structure installation, highlight typical installation errors, and provide guidance on how to ensure a smooth and successful installation.

One of the most frequent issues encountered during membrane structure installation is membrane scratching. This typically occurs due to mishandling or improper use of tools. Scratches not only detract from the appearance of the membrane structure but can also reduce the durability of the material and potentially compromise its structural integrity. It's crucial that workers handle the material carefully and avoid contact with sharp objects or excessive force that could damage the surface.

A key feature of membrane structures is that the membrane must be tensioned correctly to maintain its shape and functionality. If the tension is too low, the membrane may become wrinkled or sag, which can negatively affect the aesthetic and stability of the entire structure. Proper membrane tensioning is vital to ensure the structure looks sleek and performs as intended.

The stability of the support frame is crucial for the overall integrity of the membrane structure. If the frame’s joints are loose or there are any signs of instability, the tension applied to the membrane may be uneven, resulting in deformities or, in severe cases, structural failure. Ensuring that the support frame is securely anchored and stable before beginning the installation process is essential.

Before starting the installation, thoroughly inspect both the membrane material and the support frame. Check the membrane for any scratches or damage, and ensure that the PVDF membrane is smooth and undamaged. It’s also important to verify that the support frame components are secure and all joints are properly connected.

Having the right tools is crucial for a successful installation. Make sure the tensioning equipment and other necessary tools are ready for use. The tensioning equipment should be capable of applying the correct force to achieve the desired level of membrane tension, ensuring that the material is taut and properly aligned.

The first step in the installation process is to gently unfold the membrane. This must be done carefully to avoid any rips or contamination. It's important to spread the membrane on a clean, flat surface to avoid dirt or debris from sticking to the material.

Once the membrane is unfolded, secure the edges using clamps or other fixing devices. This step ensures that the membrane remains in place without being overly stretched or too loose. The membrane should be slightly taut, but not yet fully tensioned.

he final step is to apply tension using the tensioning equipment. This must be done gradually to ensure that the membrane is evenly stretched across the frame. Take care to avoid over-tightening, especially in certain areas, as this can lead to wrinkles or sagging. Adjust the tension gradually, checking that the entire surface is uniformly taut.

Installing membrane structures successfully comes down to three key steps: "Inspect, Fix, Tension." Paying attention to detail in each of these stages is crucial to achieving a high-quality installation. Inspecting the materials for damage, ensuring the support frame is secure, and carefully tensioning the membrane are all fundamental to the long-term success of the project. With proper planning and attention to detail, you can ensure that your membrane structure is not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable and functional.

A tensile fabric structure is a lightweight architectural solution that relies on the balance of tension and compression. Unlike traditional buildings, it uses fabric materials like PVC, PTFE, and ETFE, supported by cables and steel frames, to create elegant, durable, and cost-effective shelters. These structures are widely used in stadiums, canopies, exhibition halls, and shade structures due to their unique aesthetic appeal and functional flexibility.

To ensure the stability and safety of these structures, load analysis is essential. This analysis evaluates the forces acting on the structure, such as wind load, snow load, live load, and temperature load, to prevent issues like sagging, tearing, or collapse.

Wind Load: Wind creates pressure that can push, pull, or lift the fabric. Proper design reduces wind resistance by shaping the fabric to deflect airflow. BDiR uses advanced software to simulate wind forces and ensure the stability of the structure.

Snow Load: In colder regions, snow accumulation can increase weight on the roof, leading to sagging or collapse. Proper slope design ensures snow slides off, while fabric tensioning increases load capacity.

Live Load: This refers to temporary loads like maintenance workers walking on the structure or hanging decorative items. Load capacity is built into the design to ensure the structure remains stable under such loads.

Temperature Load: Temperature changes cause fabric and metal components to expand or contract. BDiR selects materials with high thermal resistance and designs tension systems to adapt to these shifts, ensuring long-term stability.

Load Calculation: BDiR's engineers collect environmental data (wind speed, snow density, temperature) and apply load coefficients. Advanced software simulates forces, and adjustments are made to the fabric shape, pre-tension, and anchor points.

Custom Design: Each project is tailored to the site's unique climate conditions. BDiR’s designs feature optimal slope, fabric curvature, and reinforced anchor points to resist wind, snow, and live loads.

Material Selection: Using materials like PVDF and PTFE, BDiR ensures resistance to UV, weather, and thermal expansion.

Pre-Tensioning: The fabric is stretched to the correct tension before installation, preventing sagging and ensuring a taut, smooth surface that resists external forces.

BDiR offers custom design, load analysis, and premium materials to deliver durable and aesthetically appealing tensile fabric structures. Our team ensures that every project is tailored to local climate conditions, with a focus on wind load, snow load, and live load stability. With experience in stadiums, exhibition halls, and large public canopies, BDiR is your trusted partner for safe, durable, and elegant tensile structures.

If you're planning a tensile fabric structure project, contact BDiR for professional load analysis and custom design services.

Tensile Membrane Structure: The Perfect Combination of Innovation and Aesthetics

Tensile membrane structure is an innovative architectural form that uses high-strength flexible membrane materials combined with auxiliary structures to create a stable space through pre-tension. It breaks the framework of traditional architecture with its unique curvilinear beauty and exceptional mechanical performance. Since its development in the mid-20th century, tensile membrane structure has been widely applied in modern architecture, especially in large public buildings, sports facilities, commercial centers, and exhibition halls.

Why Choose Tensile Membrane Structure?

Tensile membrane structure not only meets the need for large-span spaces but also creates a unique architectural charm through its distinctive design language. Whether it’s innovative shapes, fast construction, or outstanding durability, tensile membrane structures have secured an important place in the architectural world. Below are the key advantages:

1. Lightweight and High Strength: The Ideal Choice for Large Spans

The membrane materials used in tensile structures are not only lightweight but also strong enough to cover large spans, significantly reducing the weight of the building. This gives tensile structures a clear advantage in scenarios that require large-area coverage and free-form design. Whether it’s a sports stadium, exhibition center, or shopping mall, tensile membrane structures offer flexible space solutions.

2. Versatile Shapes: A Combination of Art and Function

The flexible nature of membrane materials allows for the creation of various unique shapes, from streamlined curves to complex geometries, enabling architects to freely explore creative designs. Its beautiful curves not only possess strong aesthetic appeal but also blend perfectly with the surrounding environment and architectural style, becoming an artistic highlight in the building.

3. Quick Construction: Efficient and Convenient Building Method

Compared to traditional construction, the construction cycle of tensile membrane structures is greatly shortened, and the installation process is simple and convenient. The membrane materials can be pre-fabricated in factories, and on-site, only the auxiliary structure needs to be fixed and tensioned, significantly reducing construction time and costs. For projects that need to be completed quickly, tensile membrane structures provide an effective solution.

4. Strong Durability: Adapting to Extreme Environments

High-quality membrane materials are specially treated to offer excellent weather resistance, protecting against ultraviolet rays, rain, and other natural factors. The durability of membrane structures has been proven in extreme climates worldwide, whether in deserts, coastal areas, or cold regions, tensile membrane structures maintain stable performance.

If you would like to learn more about tensile membrane structures or consult us on how we can provide customized solutions for your project, feel free to contact us at any time. We will offer you professional design and high-quality construction services to help you achieve your ideal architectural results.

The China Mobile Guangzhou HQ tennis court is an exemplary showcase of modern membrane structure technology. Spanning 40 meters in length and 38.5 meters in width, the structure provides a minimum clear height of 10 meters, ensuring ample space for both casual games and professional tournaments. The eaves are equipped with a protective enclosure for enhanced functionality and safety. The roof is constructed using 1100gsm PVDF membrane material, offering waterproof, UV-resistant properties with a B1 fire-retardant rating. Designed to withstand up to 17-grade wind loads, this innovative structure has a service life of 20 years.

Features of Membrane Structures
Membrane structures like this tennis court provide a blend of aesthetics and durability. The lightweight yet strong materials allow for large spans without requiring heavy frameworks, making them ideal for sports and recreational facilities. They also provide excellent natural lighting, reducing the need for artificial illumination during the day. Additionally, membrane materials are weather-resistant and easy to maintain, ensuring a cost-effective solution over time.

Efficient Construction Process
The installation of membrane structures is significantly faster compared to traditional buildings. This project demonstrated the streamlined process, including steel framework assembly, membrane tensioning, and final adjustments, all completed in a matter of weeks. Such efficiency minimizes disruption to the surrounding environment and accelerates project delivery timelines, making membrane structures a preferred choice for time-sensitive projects.

A Sustainable Solution
By combining innovative design with environmentally friendly materials, membrane structures align with sustainable construction goals. The PVDF membrane used in this project not only ensures long-term performance but also supports recycling at the end of its lifecycle. As membrane technology continues to evolve, it offers a practical and sustainable solution for modern architectural demands.

This project highlights BDiR Space Structure's expertise in delivering high-quality, custom-designed membrane structures tailored to client needs.

In today’s hospitality landscape, immersive and experiential travel options are reshaping consumer expectations. As highlighted in Hallmark Media’s launch of its “Hallmark Christmas Cruise,” themed and event-driven travel experiences are in high demand, with sell-out events leaving tens of thousands of potential attendees on waitlists【source: The Experience Resorts】. This trend signals an opportunity not only for cruises and destination resorts but also for other versatile accommodation types, like glamping tents, which offer rapid deployment and exceptional ROI potential.

Quick Construction and Adaptability

One of the standout advantages of glamping tents is their swift installation. For example, a 42-square-meter luxury glamping tent can be assembled in as little as one week, providing operators with a nearly immediate revenue stream. This efficiency makes glamping tents ideal for temporary or semi-permanent accommodations at event-based resorts, festivals, or seasonal holiday destinations. Their flexibility to be installed in diverse terrains adds to their appeal for operators seeking cost-effective solutions.

High ROI for Event-Based Accommodations

Themed events and multi-day festivals are driving longer guest stays and higher expenditures on food, beverages, and activities, as noted by The Experience Resorts: "Today’s limitless social reach has made it possible to connect with people who share a common appreciation for music and lifestyle products big and small.” Glamping tents seamlessly integrate into this model, offering unique accommodations that elevate the guest experience while enabling operators to capitalize on the surging demand for immersive stays.

Sustainability and Modern Guest Expectations

Modern travelers prioritize eco-conscious experiences. Glamping tents, often designed with sustainable materials and minimal environmental impact, align perfectly with these values. In addition to their aesthetic charm and eco-friendly construction, they are equipped with the comforts of traditional hotel rooms, providing an attractive combination of luxury and nature immersion for a growing market of travelers seeking memorable getaways.

A Strategic Choice for Hospitality Operators

With the rise of multi-day events and destination resorts, glamping tents are becoming a strategic asset for hospitality operators. Their quick construction, adaptability, and high ROI potential make them a practical solution for meeting the growing demand for innovative and unique guest accommodations. As the hospitality industry evolves to embrace the trends of themed travel and immersive experiences, glamping tents are well-positioned to lead the way.

This article draws inspiration from current trends in hospitality highlighted by The Experience Resorts. For more details, visit their website at The Experience Resorts.

The cocoon-shaped tent is an enchanting “sanctuary” for travelers, instantly captivating with its unique design. Unlike traditional camping tents, this one resembles a curled cocoon, a seashell by the shore, a home for wandering souls, gently embracing every visitor. 

Its smooth lines and soft curves seem to speak the language of nature. Whether placed in a desert, by the sea, in a forest, or at a campsite, it blends seamlessly with its surroundings, as if it belongs to the landscape. The cocoon tent not only enhances the visual appeal of any trip but also creates a profound sense of connection with nature, making it an unforgettable highlight of the travel experience.

Beyond its striking exterior, the tent’s interior is equally enchanting. Spacious and bright, with panoramic windows, it breaks the boundary between indoors and outdoors, allowing guests to fully appreciate the surrounding beauty. Whether it's the first rays of sunrise breaking through the clouds, the sunset painting the sky in hues of red, or a starlit night, the cocoon tent provides travelers with a comfortable, open view, letting them immerse in the wonders of nature. Inside the tent, every moment is perfectly framed, creating a unique sense of time that feels like it belongs only to this place.

To meet different travelers' needs, the interior layout of the cocoon tent can be customized. According to clients’ requirements, the tent can be designed as a single room, ideal for solo travelers or those seeking peace and quiet, or as a multi-person space that can accommodate, making it perfect for families, groups of friends, or couples on vacation.

For instance, the cocoon tent we customized for Camping De Lakens has a spacious, comfortable layout that can host up to six people. This design not only offers versatility but also meets various accommodation needs, achieving the concept of “one tent, many possibilities.”

The cocoon tent is not just a shelter but a bridge between nature and modern living. Here, travelers can enjoy the gifts of nature without sacrificing modern comforts. Soft lighting, cozy bedding—every detail is carefully crafted to blend nature with a high standard of living. In essence, the cocoon tent is a gift from nature, offering travelers a sense of freedom, tranquility, and beauty. It allows everyone who steps inside to experience the unique feeling of “being in nature, with a heart immersed in the landscape.”

At Camping de Lakens, located on the North Sea coast of the Netherlands, a new form of accommodation is leading the tourism industry—geodesic dome tents. This unique accommodation experience not only provides comfort and convenience for guests but also offers a new dimension to vacationing by harmoniously blending design with nature. Within this beautiful resort, the 80-square-meter dome tents create the perfect space for visitors to connect closely with the natural world.

The geodesic dome tent offers a practical yet visually appealing solution for outdoor lodging. Its geometric design maximizes space efficiency, creating a comfortable, spacious environment inside, even in remote natural settings. The unique structure of the dome eliminates the need for internal support poles, allowing for a wide-open interior that enhances the sense of freedom and connection with nature. With large open areas for resting, dining, or even practicing yoga, guests are enveloped in a cozy atmosphere that feels expansive, yet intimate.

At Camping de Lakens, the aesthetic value of the geodesic dome tents is beautifully showcased. The spherical design seamlessly integrates with the surrounding natural scenery. By day, the green landscapes and the blue sky outside complement the modern minimalist design of the tent, creating a beautiful natural canvas. By night, the transparent window at the top of the dome allows guests to lie in bed and gaze up at the sparkling stars. Whether it's the soft morning light or the warm glow of dusk, the geodesic dome tents provide an opportunity for guests to experience nature up close, offering a unique sense of tranquility and beauty.

Geodesic dome tents allow travelers to experience nature in the most immersive way possible. The combination of the tent’s organic structure and the panoramic transparent windows brings the outside world into sharp focus, creating a seamless connection between guests and their environment. Daylight filters through, bathing the interior in a soft, natural glow, while the night sky transforms the dome into a private observatory. This immersive experience makes the geodesic dome a perfect choice for eco-tourism, offering an intimate connection with nature without sacrificing comfort or luxury.

At Camping de Lakens, the 80-square-meter geodesic dome tents provide not only a comfortable place to stay but a lifestyle that fosters a deep connection with nature. The transparent window design allows guests to engage in a profound dialogue with the outdoors, no matter the time or place. Here, comfort and beauty coexist, and practicality and artistry intertwine. Every guest staying in the dome tents embarks on an immersive travel experience, synchronizing with the heartbeat of nature and conversing with the stars. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an unforgettable journey into nature, the geodesic dome tents offer the perfect choice.

Geodesic dome tents are more than just a place to stay; they are a portal to experiencing the beauty of the natural world in a visually stunning way. The unique combination of space, elegance, and transparency offers a one-of-a-kind visual delight that enriches the travel experience. Whether it’s the view of the surrounding landscape, the expansive sky above, or the starlit heavens at night, the geodesic dome tent is designed to capture the essence of nature in all its glory, offering guests a profound connection to their surroundings while enjoying the comforts of modern design.

Amangiri Tented Pavilion is a unique sanctuary set within the sweeping landscapes of Utah's desert, blending sophisticated design with the raw beauty of the surrounding canyonlands. Upon arrival, the stillness of the desert and vast open skies immediately create a profound sense of peace, offering a rare connection to nature.

Each tented suite captures a refined simplicity and comfort. The UV-resistant PVDF membrane roof provides cool shade and all-weather durability, ideal for the desert’s dynamic climate. Inside, warm, natural materials and breathable insulation create a cool, welcoming retreat from the sun. Expansive windows frame stunning desert views, and private terraces invite guests to bask in the soft morning light or gaze at the stars.

Adventure is close at hand, whether exploring hidden canyons with expert guides or gliding over breathtaking landscapes in a hot air balloon. After a day of discovery, relax in the serene on-site spa, inspired by Navajo healing traditions, or savor a creative twist on local cuisine at the resort’s restaurant.

Nayara Tented Camp is a stunning retreat tucked into the lush landscapes of Costa Rica, where nature and luxury come together in perfect harmony. From the moment you arrive, the vibrant sounds and colors of the rainforest wrap around you, with the majestic Arenal Volcano standing tall in the background.

Each tent feels like a cozy haven, featuring a durable PVDF membrane roof that effectively blocks UV rays and resists mold. Inside, decorative fabric lines breathable insulation, making it a comfortable escape. With spacious layouts and private balconies, you can sip your morning coffee while soaking in breathtaking views of the jungle, listening to the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant calls of wildlife.

Adventure beckons at Nayara, whether you're setting out on guided hikes to discover hidden wonders or zipping through the canopy for an adrenaline rush. The on-site restaurant serves up mouthwatering local dishes, letting you savor the rich flavors of Costa Rica.