Thomas Thommen

Textile Architecture and Lightweight Structural Design
From first sketch to final assembly.

Ultralight Building Envelope for the Mulegns Visitor Centre

A translucent membrane envelope for the world’s tallest 3D-printed building’s visitor centre in Mulegns.

New tensile sunshade for the historic outdoor pool in Solothurn

Modern replacement of a damaged Expo.02 membrane at a popular Swiss riverside pool, preserving the original shape.

Renovation of the Community Center Bättwil

Textile façade upgrade for thermal insulation and a modern architectural appearance.

Buchwald Forest Canopy

Temporary canopy for an outdoor learning site using innovative, nature-integrated construction methods.

Optical Apparatus Renewal, Bourbaki Panorama, Lucerne

Lightweight textile reconstruction of the historical optical apparatus at the Bourbaki Panorama in Lucerne.

Pavilion "La Porte de la Forêt", Bulle

Lightweight pavilion with a prestressed textile roof at the edge of the Bouleyres forest in Bulle, Switzerland.

ESAF Dome – Membrane Architecture for a Temporary Landmark

Mechanically prestressed membrane roof for a timber dome at Switzerland’s largest traditional sports event.

BioMat Pavilion 2021 – LightPRO Shell

Experimental lightweight pavilion combining a compression-only gridshell with a tensioned textile membrane.

About me

I’m a design-driven specialist in textile architecture and lightweight structures, based in Switzerland. For more than eight years, I’ve been working hands-on in the field — from concept development and form-finding to structural analysis, detailing, fabrication, and construction supervision.

My passion lies in exploring the architectural potential of membranes as an ultralight, expressive, and intelligent building technology. Working for a renowned textile contractor, I’ve had the opportunity to lead complex façade and roof projects and bridge the gap between creative design intent and technical implementation.

I’m particularly interested in interdisciplinary collaboration and research-driven design. I believe textile architecture offers a unique testing ground for innovation at the intersection of material science, engineering, and spatial imagination. My work is shaped by a curiosity for experimental methods, ecological responsibility, and the ambition to make complex ideas buildable.

This portfolio reflects my journey through textile construction — showing built projects, design approaches, and a commitment to advancing membrane architecture as both a design discipline and a field of research.