As global challenges evolve rapidly, lightweight architecture emerges as an effective and efficient solution to meet rapidly changing needs. Textiles offer flexibility and sustainability, addressing spatial requirements in urban and residential designs, particularly in underutilized areas. This study developed a user-friendly and customizable textile hybrid structure prototype by exploring different weaving methods to find more flexible and adaptable solutions. The research adopts a three-stage process: concept design, parametric simulation prototype, and physical scale-up testing. Methodologies include Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for assessing structural bending and tensile behavior, evolutionary computation for multi-objective optimization, Arduino for enabling interactive dynamic and lighting systems, and a website interface for bespoke decisions. Results revealed a groundbreaking textile hybrid prototype, applicable individually or collectively, with flexible assembly and disassembly in various scenarios. The prototype also offers an eco-friendly, cost-efficient facade renovation solution, enhancing aesthetics and providing shading benefits. The research encompasses interactive lightweight construction design, bending-active textile hybrids, form-finding, circular economy, and mass customization, contributing to advances in lightweight construction design while promoting sustainable practices in textile architecture.

Classification and development of the deployable structures is an ongoing process that started at the end of 20th century and is getting more and more attention throughout 21st. With the development of the technology, constructive systems and materials, these categorizations changed – adding new typologies and excluding certain ones. This work is giving a critical review of the work done previously and on the change of the categories. The special interest is given to the pantographs (or scissor structures) and the Zeigler’s dome as the form of their application. It is noticeable that after its introduction in 1977, the dome was a part of the initial classification, but with the time it lost its place. The reason for this is the introduction of more efficient scissor dome structures. However, perhaps with the use of data-driven design, this dome can be optimized and become relevant again. The second part of the paper is dedicated to the development of the structural optimization algorithm for panto-graph structures and its application on the example of Zeigler’s dome. Besides the direct analysis, the final part includes the generative optimization algorithm which could help to a decision-maker in the early stages of the design to understand and select the options for the structure.

Capability of construction companies to manage the digital interoperability between stakeholders and technicians is fundamental for the success of a work, both for new constructions and renovations. The research outlines a methodological and operational protocol for general contractors and the related supply chains and subcontractors. The Programme contains indications for the development of BIM-based workflows that implement the main activities in building construction, operations and maintenance: off-site and on-site time schedules, site planning and building ergotechnics, accounting, project variances, non-compliance issues, test and commissioning, maintenance planning.

Biopolymers have been increasingly introduced in some application sectors, such as food packaging, fashion, and design objects, while the typical technical textiles for architecture remain polymeric composites, based on the use of non-renewable resources. In lightweight construction and textile architecture, the introduction of novel materials requires a long process of verification of their performances, in order to guarantee the safety levels required by building standards. The paper aims to focus on potentiality and constrains to the application of more eco-friendly coated textiles, woven, and non-woven membranes in architecture. The paper proposes a couple of strategies and best practices to be applied in lightweight architecture: (1) creating fabrics from recycled fibers, on the one hand, and (2) acting on the coating with biopolymers, on the other hand. Eventually, the paper focuses on some recent experimental research led by the authors at the ABC Department, on the environmental assessment of ultra-lightweight materials, based on the LCA methodology.

The construction industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, driving the need for sustainable solutions. Ultra-lightweight structures have emerged as an effective approach to reducing material usage and energy consumption. This study explores the potential of ultra-lightweight architectural systems through a learning-by-doing methodology, integrating innovative composite materials, PolRe, and knitting techniques to enhance tensegrity structures for sustainable, deployable, and efficient structural designs. Combining physical modeling, inspired by Frei Otto and Heinz Isler, with digital simulations using Kangaroo 2 and Python, this research employs form-finding and finite element analysis to validate structural performance. A 1:5 scale prototype was constructed using a manual knitting machine adapted from traditional knitting techniques. The integration of elastic meshes and rigid joints produced modular tensegrity systems that balance tension and compression, creating reversible, deployable, and material-efficient solutions. This study bridges conceptual aesthetics with structural efficiency, providing a template for sustainable, ultra-lightweight, textile-based structures.

In view of the circular economy transition, the building sector is facing the challenge of overcoming conventional organizational models that follow a “take-make-dispose” in favor of circular models, exploiting re-manufacturing to close the loop. Starting from the analysis of re-manufacturing practices well affirmed in other industrial sectors and the lesson learned in terms of key features, the paper focuses on circular strategies and new organizational models and tools for short-life building products coming from renewal interventions in office, exhibition, and retail. In particular, three novel circular models are presented, based on the cross-sectorial successful key features of reuse/re-manufacturing activities and the point of view of stakeholders, including manufacturers, service providers, policymakers, and the third sector. This collaborative effort took place in the context of the research “Re-NetTA - Re-manufacturing Networks for Tertiary Architectures - New organizational models and tools for re-manufacturing and reusing short-life components coming from tertiary building renewal”, leading the knowledge sharing among the involved players to support innovative solutions.