Company:
dunn lightweight

Project Details

Fabric 1

Frontside view 381
Producer/Manufacturer: Ferrari S.A.
Primary Use: Main Fabric


Engineer Name 1
Andres Villasenor

Engineer Company 1
Dunn Lightweight LLC

Design Name
Horacio Lopez

Design Company
Dunn Lightweight LLC

Architect Name
Horacio Lopez

Architect Company
Dunn Lightweight LLC

Fabrication Name
Stéphane Lapouge

Fabrication Company
FACADE TEXTILE INTERNATIONAL LTD

Subcontractor Name
Stéphane Lapouge

Subcontractor Company
FACADE TEXTILE INTERNATIONAL LTD

Graphics Name
Stéphane Lapouge

Graphics Company
FACADE TEXTILE INTERNATIONAL LTD

Project Manager Name
Javier Rattia

Project Manager Company
Dunn Lightweight LLC


Please describe the project specifications

As part of Houston’s transformation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a series of 16 sculptural shade structures was introduced throughout Downtown Houston to enhance the pedestrian experience and create a distinctive new layer of urban identity.

Conceived as more than conventional umbrellas, each element combines shade, lightweight engineering, and public art. Working closely with the membrane manufacturer, we developed a custom printed mesh that transforms the appearance of a conventional technical fabric, giving the material greater depth and visual character while establishing a cohesive language across all 16 structures.

Each piece responds individually to its location, yet together they form a recognizable family of lightweight urban sculptures distributed throughout the city center. Their organic geometry and translucent membrane create constantly changing relationships between light, shadow, structure, and the surrounding architecture.

Beyond providing protection from Houston’s intense sun, the structures activate street corners and enrich the public realm, becoming recognizable landmarks and meeting points for residents and visitors.

The result demonstrates how a relatively small-scale membrane intervention can extend beyond function—transforming shade into identity, infrastructure into sculpture, and everyday urban spaces into memorable places.


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Dunn lightweight LLC