FTL (Future Tents Limited): Softness Movement and Light (Architectural Monographs No 48)

Todd Dalland and Nicholas Goldsmith of New York based FTL architects and engineers, lead a multidisciplinary design practice that is intimately involved in the development of tensile architectural forms. With over a thousand projects created during a twenty-year period, their work is at the forefront of establishing new design possibilities that merge traditional and innovative technological strategies to find beautiful and appropriate solutions for a wide range of building types. FTL have consistently stretched the boundaries of architectural development, blurring the line between design and research, in creating building forms that provide a tantalising glimpse of the future. The architecture described in this monograph is a potent example of what can be achieved with the sensitive manipulation of lightweight forms.

With over 800 projects and 30 awards for their designs, FTL are acknowledged as pioneers in technological innovation. Anyone who wants a lightweight structure, who has a need for a deployable shelter, who understands the favourable economics of building with tensile technology, automatically turns to Todd Dalland and Nicholas Goldsmith, partners in FTL. Their evolution from design fringe to the mainstream is a story of persistence, dedication, vision and a strong belief in themselves. This monograph examines their modus operandi, their constant search for new materials that will enable them to design even more advanced structures, and looks at a number of their recent projects.

Dr Robert Kronenburg is an architect and Director of Studies of the Bachelor of Architecture course at the University of Liverpool, School of Architecture and Building Engineering, UK. He has lectured in Europe, the Far East and the USA, and his books include House in Motion: The Genesis, History and Development of the Portable Building and Portable Architecture. In 1994 he was a Fulbright visiting professor in the USA and in 1997 he was guest curator for exhibitions at the RIBA Architecture Centre and the Building Centre. Professor Peter McCleary is an engineer and teacher at the Department of Architecture, University of Pennsylvania, USA,where he has developed the Studies in Emerging Technology course. He has lectured in Europe and the USA and in 1996 he curated an exhibition on the work of Robert Le Ricolais.