grimshaw + MDT-tex installs series of tessellated canopies in frankfurt courtyard

grimshaw + MDT-tex installs series of tessellated canopies in frankfurt courtyard
all images © becker lacour

providing visitors with a vibrant display of light in the courtyard of the grand palais thurn & taxis in the heart of frankfurt, grimshaw and tensile designers MDT-tex have presented their ‘tensilation’ product in an installation for the light + building festival and trade fair. the canopy system is an exploration of engineering, creative collaboration and light, with the resulting design incorporating projections by photographer and light artist, laurenz theinert.

the installation is displayed in the courtyard of the grand palais thurn & taxis in frankfurt

ensuring the robustness of the overall frame and materials was an important part of the process and final product. each canopy unit is structurally connected to its neighbors, creating a unified form strengthened by its components. comprised of tessellating diamond and square-shaped form, the canopies can be reconfigured in different ways and used independently; its vaulted form provides an expressive structure designed for events and pop-up spaces.

the installation saw the incorporation of projections by photographer and light artist laurenz theinert

standing at a height of nearly 4 meters and each weighing under 30 kg, the combination of innovative tensile design, lightweight fabrics and cables, makes the product easy to make up. drainage takes place via a series of central supporting columns and each canopy piece is connected with a watertight capping to produce a weather-protective system.

the canopies can be annexed to buildings or marquees to deal with changes in crowd size

drainage takes place via a series of central supporting columns and is connected with a watertight capping

each canopy unit is structurally connected to its neighbors, creating a unified form strengthened by its components

the collaboration was for frankfurt’s light + building festival and trade fair

its vaulted form provides an expressive structure designed for events and pop-up spaces