Lightweight Structures, Bold Architecture: The Engineering Behind ETFE and PTFE Envelopes

This presentation will highlight two innovative lightweight structure projects: JFK Terminal 6 in New York City and a garage screening system in Hoboken, New Jersey. At JFK Terminal 6, the project features a series of ETFE cushion skylights supported by steel framing. A unique design challenge was the geometric relationship between the ETFE cushions and their supporting steel structure, as the two systems are intentionally designed with different forms. The second project is a PTFE-clad garage screen supported by a secondary steel structure. The team was involved throughout the project lifecycle, from concept development through construction. The PTFE-clad elements incorporate a distinctive geometry that posed both design and fabrication challenges, resulting in a visually striking and highly efficient lightweight enclosure system. Together, these projects demonstrate the versatility of tensile membrane materials and lightweight structural systems in creating complex, high-performance architectural features.

• Transforming ambitious architectural concepts into innovative lightweight structural systems
• Exploring the versatility of ETFE and PTFE-clad lightweight structures
• Demonstrating how lightweight design enables architectural flexibility, efficiency, and faster construction