Autonomy in progress in Cape Town
A new milestone in tensile architecture education
Towards local autonomy in tensile architecture education: a new milestone in Cape Town
As part of its mission “Build a better tomorrow”, the Serge Ferrari Foundation is proud to support a three-year international cooperation program dedicated to education in tensile membrane architecture.
This initiative brings together four key partners:
- Serge Ferrari Foundation
- SEA – School of Explorative Architecture (Cape Town, South Africa)
- IMS – Institute for Membrane and Shell Structures (Germany)
- SYNCHRON (South Africa), long-term partner of the Serge Ferrari Group
Transmitting knowledge for sustainable architecture
The program aims to pass on expertise in lightweight and low-carbon membrane architecture. IMS professors deliver a three ECTS teaching module in collaboration with SEA lecturers, who are progressively trained through the Archineer program to independently lead the curriculum in the future.
Between September and November 2025, the first teaching module was successfully delivered in Cape Town by Dr. Heidrun Bogner and Ing. Sarah vd Weft, in close collaboration with SEA architect Chisomo Phiri, who supervised studio work and student projects.
Learning through real-world challenges
Students explored the reconstruction of the Cape Town Parliament, severely damaged by fire in 2021. This symbolic project became a powerful educational opportunity, allowing a new generation of architects to rethink the future through innovation, sustainability, and resilience.
Their work highlights key principles of tensile membrane architecture:
- Resource efficiency through lightweight structures
- Low-carbon design when appropriate principles are applied
- Freedom and flexibility of forms
- Optimized natural light
- Large-span capabilities
- Adaptability to complex environments
These projects demonstrate how education can shape architects capable of designing more sustainable and innovative structures.
A key step toward long-term impact
In February 2026, architect Chisomo Phiri officially began the Archineer training program at IMS. This marks a major milestone: it will enable SEA to progressively take full ownership of the teaching module and ensure long-term local autonomy.
This evolution strengthens the sustainability of the initiative by embedding knowledge directly within the local academic ecosystem.
A collective commitment
The Serge Ferrari Foundation warmly thanks all partners, professors, lecturers, and students for their dedication, creativity, and shared vision.
