Todd Dalland and Nicholas Goldsmith of New York based FTL architects and engineers, lead a multidisciplinary design practice that is intimately involved in the development of tensile architectural forms. With over a thousand projects created during a twenty-year period, their work is at the forefront of establishing new design possibilities that merge traditional and innovative technological strategies to find beautiful and appropriate solutions for a wide range of building types. FTL have consistently stretched the boundaries of architectural development, blurring the line between design and research, in creating building forms that provide a tantalising glimpse of the future. The architecture described in this monograph is a potent example of what can be achieved with the sensitive manipulation of lightweight forms.





With over 800 projects and 30 awards for their designs, FTL are acknowledged as pioneers in technological innovation. Anyone who wants a lightweight structure, who has a need for a deployable shelter, who understands the favourable economics of building with tensile technology, automatically turns to Todd Dalland and Nicholas Goldsmith, partners in FTL. Their evolution from design fringe to the mainstream is a story of persistence, dedication, vision and a strong belief in themselves. This monograph examines their modus operandi, their constant search for new materials that will enable them to design even more advanced structures, and looks at a number of their recent projects.