A tensile membrane structure firm offering custom tent rentals

Today’s typical event tent uses a flat PVC coated woven polyester textile draped over a steel frame. The frame stands alone, in compression as the essence of the structure. The flat fabric panels are mounted on the steel frame and pulled tight to remain flat in the wind. But, that’s an impossible task because they are flat so the fabric flutters in a mild wind.

In contrast, the tensile structure is stabilized with tension rather than a compressive steel frame.  One popular design uses large masts to lift the fabric, with tension forces pulling in opposite directions to draw the tent into form.

Think of the Denver Airport. The masts are the compressive elements. Teflon coated fiberglass woven fabric and cables are the tension elements which enable the canopy to cover broad expanses.

A smaller tensile structure is typically built from fabric woven with polyester thread. The flat fabric is patterned and joined into a shape defined by anticlastic curvature. The final form is set by the tension of the outer cables. The final product is stunning, but singular in application. Frei Otto’s  Tanzbrunnen from 1957 is a classic.

Instead of weaving, Tentrix uses a circular knit with high tensile strength polyester thread. By doing this, we create just enough stretch in the fabric for the structure to be pulled into shape under tension. Critical difference –  woven fabric may be destroyed if tensioned with a force for which it wasn’t designed.

It’s hard to detect the stretch with a small fabric sample. However, the effect on a pitched tent becomes evident as riggers apply tension. What begins as a flat panel is pulled into shape in the last stage of the pitch. Riggers apply tension to create the final form and the anticlastic curves that strengthen the stretch tent pitch (see our Gallery of Stretch Tent Pitches).

South Africa is to stretch tents as the fertile crescent is to civilization. A few decades ago, inspired by the Bedouin tents of Northern Africa and fueled by the innovative spirit endemic to Southern Africa, intrepid inventors improved an ancient art.

They adopted cutting edge fabric innovations and transformed the tenting industry of a continent. We lived in South Africa for six years as these stretch tents grew in popularity. They just fit with the culture and climate – quite literally tailor made for the environment.

We brought the stretch tent with us back to Colorado. Then, we adapted as necessary to fit the Rocky Mountain climate.  We’ve been growing ever since with tent rentals, sales and custom development. Today we serve a growing loyal customer base and a market awakening to the superior technology of stretch tents.

We love playing a role in the Colorado outdoor ethos. We’re thankful to our many South African friends who pioneered this technology in Africa & beyond. We’re also heavily indebted to them so we’ll stay true to the sweeping lines and robust engineering that define the stretch tent tradition.