Valorization of tensioned membrane structures at the end of life

The transition toward a circular economy requires the construction sector to reconsider the entire life cycle of building components, including their end-of-life management. This chapter investigates strategies for the valorization of membrane structures at the end of their service life, with particular attention to textile membranes and lightweight architectural systems. Drawing on circular economy principles, the study discusses design approaches such as Design for Disassembly (DfD), Design for Reuse (DfR), Design for Recycling (DfRec), and Design for Remanufacturing (DfRem), highlighting their relevance for membrane architecture. Current end-of-life treatments for PVC-coated polyester fabrics, PTFE-coated glass fabrics, ETFE foils, and recycled textile products are reviewed, together with innovative examples of reuse, refurbishment, reconfiguration, and remanufacturing from international case studies. The chapter also examines the environmental implications of end-of-life scenarios through a comparative analysis of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) available for membrane materials and systems, focusing on Global Warming Potential indicators. The results demonstrate that extending service life, enabling disassembly, and prioritizing reuse before recycling are essential strategies for reducing environmental impacts and improving resource efficiency. The findings emphasize the need for further technological development and industry commitment to support circularity in membrane architecture, transforming end-of-life materials from waste into valuable resources.