| The greatest concerns when building tensile fabric structures are cost, efficiency and durability. The potential of these buildings lies in the dynamic forms and the ability to span large distances with minimal structural weight. Recent technical advances continue to minimize concerns and maximize possibilities of this building form. Despite technical advances, structures image remains tied to the history of the tent. Even those lasting applications are restricted to transitory building types. Notable examples are airports, exhibition halls and sporting event facilities. The main purpose of these buildings is for the user to pass through them, never truly occupying them, rendering the building as temporary in experience if not in structure. The tensile fabric structure has the potential to be a dynamic building tot can meet the future's needs. However, architects are uncertain how to balance the permanent nature of 'the building' with the temporary imagery of the tensile fabric structure. |
