Call for student entries from Techtextil and TensiNet

A COMPETITION that spotlights innovative and realistic approaches and solutions to building with textiles or textile-reinforced materials is once again calling for entries from students and young professionals. “Textile Structures for New Building 2015” competition, organized by Techtextil in held in cooperation with the international TensiNet association as sponsor, is open to all students and young professionals (born on or after 1 March 1986) from the fields of architecture, civil engineering, product design and related sectors.The deadline for entries is February 27, 2015.

The 13th edition of the competition carries a total purse of € 8,000. In addition to an awards ceremony during Techtextil, the leading International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens (4 to 7 May 2015, Frankfurt), exhibitors and trade visitors will be able to see all award-winning projects in a special exhibition.

The student competition has been promoting the exchange of ideas and information between young academics and the universities, the technical-textile industry and the construction industry as a whole for the last 25 years.

“Technical textiles offer architects and engineers a variety of completely new opportunities. In comparison to steel and aluminum, technical textiles are light, need little maintenance, are durable and multi-functional. In addition to textile-reinforced concrete, textiles are increasingly being used for facades and roofs. Despite this, there is still an insufficient level of awareness of textiles as building materials,” said Michael J?necke, director, Brand Management Technical Textiles & Textile Processing, Messe Frankfurt. “In view of this, The technical / scientific supervisor is Prof Werner Sobek, Director of the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design (ILEK) of the University of Stuttgart.

student competition’ in detail:

Assignment The competition covers all aspects of textile building and entrants can chose any relevant subject for their project. However, emphasis will be given to ‘Suitability for re-use and recycling’. Both supervised and unsupervised projects will be accepted.

Jury The international jury, which includes renowned academics, architects and engineers, will be chaired by Prof Werner Sobek. The jury will meet in March 2015.

Awards and categories The TensiNet association has donated € 8,000 as prize money.