NEWS

The ETFE-MFM consortium held a training event in Brussels on 8 November to present and promote training materials that universities and architects can use to give an introduction to textile-based architecture.

ETFE and other architectural fabrics can be used for a number of applications and offer a sustainable solution for building façades, skylights and canopies, amongst others. However, many architects are unfamiliar with the materials and their opportunities, and few universities teach their students about it.

To counter this, the project has developed training materials that can be used to teach architects and architecture students about building textiles. The lecture is comprised of a set of slides and speaking notes which are freely available for educational purposes.

The event on was livestreamed to participants throughout Europe, and the video recording is available below.

The training materials are available in the publications section of this project website. Click here to access the Presentation Slides and Speaking Notes. A publication is also being produced and will also be available shortly.

ETFE (Ethylene TetraFluoroEthylene) is regarded as a wonder material, with numerous economic and environmental benefits over traditional building materials. However, awareness of ETFE and its uses among architects and students remains low.

To counter this, the ETFE Multifunction Module (ETFE-MFM) project has designed a training lecture to give an introduction to textile-based architecture, and ETFE in particular.

The lecture will provide an overview of architectural textiles, focusing in particular on ETFE, its qualities and its architectural uses. Additionally, it will present state-of-the-art uses of ETFE for multifunctional surfaces, including the ETFE-MFM which integrates photovoltaics and façade lighting with control electronics and battery storage, to generate electricity in the day which can be used for illumination in the evenings.

If you are an architect, a university professor or a student, join our workshop in Brussels on 8thNovember to know more about this material and keep up-to-date with its latest developments.

The event will be webcast and those participating remotely would be able to ask questions via online facilities. 

What’s on the agenda?

Have a look here to see the draft programme.

How to register?

Registration is free of charge, but it is compulsory. To register click here.

The ETFE-MFM project has produced a video demonstrating the new ETFE Multifunctional Module.

The ETFE-MFM project has been developing a new Ethylene TetraFluoroEthylene (ETFE) Multifunctional Module (MFM) for integrating photovoltaics and lighting into building façades. The module also contains control electronics and battery storage, so that electricity generated in the day can be used for illumination in the evenings. A demonstration module has now been created and installed in Avilés, Spain.

The ETFE-MFM project has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No. 322459.

ETFE-MFM has come second in the NANOFY! Best Project Competition, organised as part of EuroNanoForum (ENF) 2017, held from 21-23 June in Malta, after making it to the top three finalists from an initial longlist.

EuroNanoForum is the most significant European forum offering opportunities for discussions among scientists, industrialists and policy makers, focusing on the use of research results in the various nanotechnology fields and associated industrial sectors. It is organised in close cooperation with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and the Member State holding the Presidency of the European Union in the respective year. The NANOFY! award looks to recognise FP7 and Horizon 2020 projects with high potential impact on industry and society, that can trigger private investment.

A poster presented during the conference to highlight ETFE-MFM achievements can be found in the publications section of this site.

The ETFE-MFM project has been presented as part of the ‘Visualising Energy’ campaign, within the context of the European Union Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) from 19 -25 June. Visualising Energy highlights the human dimension of the energy transition through a public photo exhibition taking place in the European quarter of Brussels.

ETFE-MFM received an exclusive exhibition cube, with pictures and key facts about the project, which was displayed outside of the European Commission’s Charlemagne building, next to its headquarters in the Berlaymont. It will be relocated to the nearby Cinquantenaire Park for the summer.

ETFE-MFM partner, Greenovate! Europe also contributed a four page feature on the project to the EUSEW edition of REVOLVE Magazine, which was focused on energy and buildings. The magazine was distributed at events throughout the week. The feature can be accessed here, (pp. 52-55).