The first major book on the history of the tent and its use, along with an international survey of the most exciting and wide-ranging contemporary fabric structures. The tent is one of the oldest man-made structures. Prized for its lightness, mobility, small footprint, and structural elegance, it has been used for centuries by nomadic cultures. With increasing ecological concerns and the new formal possibilities offered by innovative materials and technologies, tent and tensile structures offer exciting and significant solutions to age-old problems. New Tent Architecture begins with a comprehensive introduction to the origins, contemporary manifestations, and ecological elegance of the tent. The core of the book comprises thirty contemporary projects grouped by theme--ring roofs, atrium covers, small peaks, large waves--each presented in detail through descriptions, photographs, and line drawings. A substantial reference section includes a glossary and bibliography, making this an essential book for architects, engineers, and design professionals. 250+ color illustrations.