Fabritecture USA delivered a custom PVC tensile façade system for the Palm Springs Air Museum, upgrading the museum’s exterior with two lightweight, precision-engineered colonnade structures. The façade uses TX30iii PVC membrane and custom-fabricated steelwork to create a clean, contemporary architectural feature.
Working with HED Design (Lead Designer), Cioffi Architect (Documentation), and Wade Engineering, Fabritecture provided full design and construct services. This included delegated engineering, 3D steel modelling, fabric patterning, fabrication coordination, delivery of all materials, and complete installation.
Covering 5,382 sqft | 500 m², the façade integrates performance, durability, and refined detailing suitable for the extreme desert climate.
Rear-loaded membrane system:
The façade uses a rear-loaded extrusion that provides clean profiles and secure tensioning across the tall colonnade frames.
Low-compensation PVC membrane:
TX30iii PVC was selected for its balanced biaxial behavior, avoiding distortion along the vertical tensioning edges.
Vertical membrane installation:
Due to the height of the colonnades, the fabric was installed vertically from the ground up, an efficient and uncommon approach tailored to this structure.
Steel + fabric integration:
All steel was modeled in 3D with precise HD bolt setout, ensuring accurate fit-up and alignment during erection.
The new tensile façade gives the Palm Springs Air Museum a refreshed architectural identity, enhancing visibility and providing a durable exterior system suited for long-term performance. Its clean geometry and lightweight construction complement the museum’s public-facing environment.
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