Dialogue with Nature——Exploring Breathable Membrane Structures In the World

ETFE membrane is millimeter thin that is even lighter than cicada wings, a gift bestowed upon architecture by aerospace technology. The surface of ETFE material is densely covered with biomimetic microstructures—similar to the hydrophobic patterns precisely arranged on lotus leaves, which naturally carry away dust as raindrops roll down, creating a self-cleaning miracle of transparency. When sunlight penetrates, it softens the sharp direct light into diffused reflections like clouds, weaving a gentle forest of light indoors. The exterior facade of the Allianz Arena in Germany is composed of 2,874 such "aerostatic bladders," which change color like breathing when night falls, turning the entire building structure into a pulsating transparent heart.

The tension membrane structure resembles a ribbon lifted by the wind, with naturally flowing curves quietly emerging amidst the tension angles of steel cables and membrane materials. The Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava designed the giant white membrane structure for the Valencia Science City, which looks like a sailing ship ready to set sail—a 35-meter-span cantilevered curved surface without any supporting columns, all held firmly in the air by the precise tension of the stainless steel cable. This dynamic rhythm breaks through the inherent solid thinking framework of membrane architecture, allowing people to truly appreciate the exquisite balance where mechanics and aesthetics intertwine and coexist.

Inflatableture strucs resemble inflated bubbles, creating vast spaces in the most minimalist way. The outer layer of the Beijing National Aquatics Center, "Water Cube," is composed of more than 3,000 irregular air pillows, each of which is a closed space made of ETFE membrane material welded together. Once inflated, the tension generated by the membrane material makes the entire building look like an inflated bubble, so light that it seems to float with the wind. This structure not only saves 70% of steel but also allows the building to present a shimmering visual effect under different lighting conditions, resembling frozen ripples on water.

Wanhao is also constantly exploring the possibilities of membrane structures, striving to create more masterpieces for the world.