Transforming a Commercial Atrium into an Iconic "Forest Valley" with Advanced Membrane Technology
Project Details
- Project Name: Commercial Atrium Retrofit / Renovation
- Primary Material: High-Translucency ETFE Foil (Air Pillow System)
- Secondary Material: Acoustic PTFE Mesh (Sound Dampening)
- Project Size: 4000sqm
- Support Structure: Large-Span Spatial Steel Framework
- Key Performance: Self-cleaning, Natural Ventilation, Acoustic Absorption
- Location: Hang Zhou, China
- Warranty:30-50years
The Challenge: Revitalizing an Underutilized Urban Space
This ETFE atrium renovation project in Hangzhou transforms a commercial space into an iconic ‘Forest Valley
The Bodo Sangu Industrial Park featured a 4,000sqm central courtyard enclosed by four L-shaped office towers. Despite its scale, the original design faced significant functional hurdles. The high-rise enclosure created a “well-like” claustrophobic feeling, and the open courtyard was unusable during extreme heat, rain, or snow. The lack of visual focal points resulted in low foot traffic and poor engagement for the commercial tenants on the lower levels.
Commercial Application: Atrium Renovation for Mixed-Use Developments
Modern commercial buildings increasingly require flexible spaces that improve visitor experience while maximizing the value of existing structures. This project demonstrates how tensile membrane systems can transform an underutilized courtyard into a vibrant, weather-protected commercial environment.
For shopping centers, office complexes, and mixed-use developments, atrium renovation with ETFE membrane roofs provides an effective alternative to traditional glass enclosures. The lightweight structure reduces additional loads on existing buildings while introducing natural daylight, improved ventilation, and year-round usability.
By combining transparent ETFE cushions with acoustic PTFE mesh, the Bodo Sangu project creates a comfortable semi-outdoor space suitable for exhibitions, events, dining, and social activities. This approach shows how membrane architecture can extend the lifecycle and commercial value of existing properties through sustainable adaptive reuse.
The Solution: A Lightweight, Biophilic Sky-Canopy
SkyTensile collaborated to engineer a high-performance dual-layer membrane roof that mimics the terraced tea fields of Hangzhou. This “Forest Valley” concept wasn’t just aesthetic—it was a functional response to structural and climatic demands. By choosing lightweight tensile membranes over traditional glass, we utilized the existing basement roof slab as the foundation without extensive reinforcement, achieving a “floating” effect that significantly reduced the total dead weight.
1. High-Performance Material Synergy: ETFE + PTFE
To balance transparency, durability, and interior comfort, we implemented a sophisticated material strategy. We utilized multi-layered ETFE air pillows with varying translucency. This provides 100% waterproofing and high self-cleaning capabilities while filtering harsh summer UV rays. Underneath, a specialized PTFE mesh was integrated to provide acoustic absorption, mitigating the “echo chamber” effect typical in large atriums and ensuring a quiet environment for exhibitions and outdoor dining.
2. Climate-Adaptive "Breathing" Design
Unlike a sealed glass box, the “tea field” layers feature engineered ventilation gaps. These gaps facilitate natural convection, allowing warm air to escape and maintaining a fresh breeze in summer. Furthermore, the spacing naturally meets fire code requirements for smoke extraction without the need for heavy mechanical systems, lowering both initial costs and long-term energy consumption.
SkyTensile continues to lead the industry in etfe-ptfe-dome-structure innovation.
FAQ: High-Performance Material Synergy: ETFE + PTFE
ETFE is approximately 1% the weight of glass, making it ideal for retrofitting existing buildings where structural capacity is limited. It also offers superior UV filtration and self-cleaning properties, reducing maintenance costs significantly over a 25-year lifespan.
Not significantly. The PTFE mesh is engineered with specific porosity to allow soft, diffused light to pass through while capturing sound waves to reduce noise pollution within the atrium.
The “Forest Valley” design includes an integrated, invisible drainage system. The 3D contouring of the membrane panels guides water into concealed gutters, while the strength of the tensile steel frame is calculated to withstand localized snow loads according to international engineering standards.
Watch the live testing video below to see the actual performance
The Impact: A Multi-Functional Social Hub
The transformation turned a vacant courtyard into a vibrant, weather-protected landmark. The atrium now serves as a year-round venue for exhibitions, pop-up events, and premium outdoor dining. Office workers on higher floors now look down upon a “green valley” rather than grey pavement, significantly improving the workplace environment.
By integrating biophilic design with tensile architecture, SkyTensile has redefined how commercial spaces can be reclaimed for the community.
Explore Similar Commercial ETFE Projects
Interested in other commercial ETFE roofing projects? Explore more applications across shopping malls, urban landscapes, mixed-use developments, and atrium renovations.
- Hangzhou Yintai Plaza – China’s first hybrid ETFE canopy combining single-layer and air cushion systems.
- Jinza Real Estate – Voronoi-pattern ETFE roof designed for a landmark mixed-use development.
- Hongcheng Plaza – ETFE skylight roof for a commercial shopping center.
- Commercial Atrium Roofs–Why Commercial Atriums Replace Glass with ETFE Cushion Systems
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