Textile Architecture Network (TAN) is founded in 2008 and based at ABC Department. We are working on clustering different skills and knowledge on innovative textile materials and polymers available in different Departments of Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI). We are focused on developing the technological advancement of technical textiles applied in different areas of interest. Two principal activities are the essence of the research work.

The first one is considered more theoretical and born in 2008, with the creation of a multidisciplinary research cluster on innovative textiles, named ClusTEX. CLUSTEX aims to integrate expertise on the fields of Architecture, Industrial Design, Interior Design Fashion Design, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering at POLIMI. Since the beginning of the experience, which involves different partners with different scientific backgrounds, the aim is the collaboration and cooperation in the development of innovative textiles suitable in different branches, such as lightweight structures, architecture and interior design, aerospace and nautical engineering. The ClusTEX’s purpose is the scientific research in a broad sense, based on the propositional knowledge and on the creativity typical of design. For more info about CLUSTEX click here.

The second one is more pragmatic and comes to light from the necessity to communicate with the world outside universities, which requires technical laboratory services. The interdepartmental research laboratory on textiles and polymeric materials: TEXTILES HUB (Heuristic Understanding in Buildings), launched in 2011 and lead by TAN since March 2015 till 2019, is a laboratory focused on testing the potentiality of membranes, foils and technical textiles, applied in the constructions field. The objective is to support different players of the textiles and polymers world with the development of new products and/or systems through the characterization of materials, the study of the manufacturing processes employed and an assessment of the possibility of applying products/systems from other application fields to the building sector.  TEXTILESHUB has become the main Italian network for scientific researchers, fabric manufacturers and the network of designers and suppliers of membrane structures for buildings, ideal places for discussion among the various parties involved in planning building systems based on textiles. For more info about TEXTILESHUB click here.

The ClusTEX and the TEXTILESHUB operative levels are linked in the creation of a meeting point between the scientific world and the production area of innovative textiles and composite materials. The ClusTEX activities are mainly focused on an experimental approach, while the TEXTILESHUB facilities are able to give a service to a wider number of firm and manufacturers, in term of products certification and quality control. The network of TEXTILESHUB combines the specific skills of researchers and designers from five different departments, working in the field of building technology, product and industrial design, structural engineering, materials chemistry and building energy.

We are also a Regional Representative of TensiNet, the European multi-disciplinary association for all parties interested in tensioned membrane constructions and Members of International Association of Spatial Structures (IASS).