Thomas Thommen
Textile Architecture and Lightweight Structural Design
From first sketch to final assembly.
About me
I am a specialist in lightweight structural systems and textile architecture, based in Switzerland. My work sits at the intersection of architecture, engineering, material technology, and construction, combining creative thinking with technical rigor to transform ambitious ideas into buildable solutions.
Over the past eight years, I have been involved in the full lifecycle of textile architecture projects — from early-stage consulting, concept development, and form-finding to structural analysis, detailing, fabrication, and construction supervision. This broad perspective has given me a deep understanding of how design, engineering, production, and assembly influence one another and ultimately determine the success of a project.
What fascinates me most about textile architecture is not only its expressive architectural language, but its potential as a highly resource-efficient building technology. Membrane structures demonstrate how large spans, complex geometries, and high-performance spaces can be achieved with remarkably little material. I see lightweight construction not as a niche, but as an important contribution to the future of sustainable and intelligent building.
My professional interests extend beyond project delivery. I am particularly interested in the systematisation of textile structures, innovation in lightweight construction, and the transfer of knowledge between research and practice. Through research, publications, lectures, and professional engagement, I explore how architecture and technology can work together to create more efficient, adaptable, and responsible building systems.
I believe that the greatest innovations emerge where disciplines overlap. For this reason, my work is shaped by interdisciplinary collaboration, analytical thinking, and a constant curiosity for new possibilities. Whether developing a detail, a structural concept, or a broader design strategy, I am driven by the ambition to understand how things work, how they can be improved, and how lightweight thinking can inspire a different way of building.
This portfolio documents that ongoing journey — a collection of projects, ideas, and experiences that reflect my commitment to advancing textile architecture, lightweight structures, and resource-efficient construction.