Serge Ferrari > Projets > Modernizing without disruption: a new Tenseo TX30-III metal-textile canopy for Massy TGV Station

Massy

France

Modernizing without disruption: a new Tenseo TX30-III metal-textile canopy for Massy TGV Station

Perspective sur la toile utilisée et la charpente métallique et la membrane textile de la gare de Massy TGV.

About

Serge Ferrari Group contributed to the project to replace the roofing at Massy TGV station, using Tenseo TX30-III fabric, installed by ACS.

Modernizing an iconic structure

Thirty years after its initial installation, the metal-textile roof of Massy TGV Station has undergone a major modernization project. While the work was designed to renew a structure that has become an iconic feature of the station, it is also part of a broader transformation of the Massy transport hub, aimed at accommodating the growing number of passengers using the station each year.

From the outset, the project stood out because of its particularly challenging environment: the roof had to be replaced while the station remained fully operational. Maintaining continuous service required meticulous organization, permanent securing of the work areas and precise scheduling of each operation, in order to meet technical requirements while ensuring the uninterrupted flow of passengers.

The project was led by SNCF Gares & Connexions as project owner, with the architectural design entrusted to Paris-based AREP Architectes.

Replacing the membrane under challenging conditions

The project involved replacing the metal-textile roof of Massy TGV Station under particularly demanding conditions due to the station remaining operational throughout the works. A monumental scaffolding structure had to be erected at the heart of the station. This became a key component of the project, providing access to every section of the structure and enabling the various phases of work to be carefully coordinated.

On site, the lifting, tensioning and installation operations represented a significant challenge. They required precision, complete control over each sequence and the ability to work within stringent safety requirements while multiple activities were taking place simultaneously. Installation was carried out by ACS, with support from the BHD Group’s engineering department and workshops, while Altrad coordinated the scaffolding erected at the heart of the station.

A key factor in this type of project is the coordination of multiple stakeholders. Between demanding schedules, complex logistics in a constrained environment and the need for flawless execution, success depends as much on anticipation as it does on seamless communication between teams, from overall project management through to on-site technical operations. The project therefore illustrates a collective approach to performance: a solution that works on paper, but above all one that can be implemented efficiently on site, within the realities of a fully operational railway station.

Beyond the technical constraints of the project itself, the renovation also reflects the confidence placed in the metal-textile solution originally installed at Massy nearly thirty years ago. After three decades in service, the original roof demonstrated its ability to maintain both its performance and its aesthetic qualities over the long term. This proven durability naturally led the project teams to place their trust in the technology once again, ensuring that it will continue to serve the station for decades to come.

Hall de la gare de Massy TGV avec commerces sous une toiture textile lumineuse.

The Massy TGV Station project presented technical challenges at every level: access, simultaneous operations, logistics, safety and more. The lifting, tensioning and installation operations required a high degree of precision, supported by close on-site coordination with the various partners and stakeholders involved. In this demanding environment, being able to rely on Serge Ferrari fabric with proven technical performance clearly contributed to the reliability of the installation process.

Benoît Rousselot – ACS Production

A Tenseo TX30-III membrane to cover Massy TGV Station

For this new roof, Serge Ferrari’s Tenseo TX30-III fabric in white was selected. Particularly well suited to roofing and building envelope applications, this translucent membrane offers outstanding dimensional stability thanks to Précontraint technology. It also provides high UV resistance and ensures uniform light transmission. Designed for exceptional durability, this technical fabric delivers long-lasting aesthetic quality with minimal maintenance, two essential qualities for the modernization of an iconic structure designed to stand the test of time.

On a project carried out in a fully operational environment, where even the slightest lack of precision can impact organization and safety, the membrane must enable controlled installation and deliver a final result that meets the exacting requirements of this type of structure. In this context, the material is more than just a component: it plays a key role in ensuring reliability, supporting both the teams involved and the quality of execution. Finally, this project highlights an essential point: the performance of a metal-textile roof is never solely about the product itself. It also results from the combination of material quality and the expertise of the teams involved, from design and coordination through to installation.

Project partners: