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Munich Olympic Stadium: an iconic tensile roof engineered by PFEIFER Structures.

Who are we, what we do, where we come from

Cape Town Stadium: cable-net roof with glass and PTFE membrane by PFEIFER Structures.

Cape Town Stadium

Stadionbad Vienna: 450-ton movable hall with hydraulic drive and control systems.

Stadionbad Vienna – Moveable Hall

Passerelle de La Défense: curved Paris footbridge with rods and ring cables in France.

Passerelle de La Défense

Moses Mabhida Stadium: 300 m arch and cable-net PTFE roof by PFEIFER Structures.

Moses Mabhida Stadium

SoFi Stadium: record-scale cable-supported ETFE roof engineered by PFEIFER Structures.

SoFi Stadium

Al Hazm Mall: 9,000 m² retractable PVC membrane roof by PFEIFER Structures in Doha.

Al Hazm Mall

Al Thumama Stadium blends Qatari heritage with tensile roofing by PFEIFER Structures.

Al Thumama Stadium

London Stadium: sustainable roof conversion and a new long-span cable-net canopy.

London Stadium

four architects in lightweight building discussing a project
About us

Guiding Principle

Sophisticated structures are created through experience, cooperation and people.

For over five decades, PFEIFER Structures has stood for excellence in architectural lightweight construction.

What makes us different is not only our technical expertise, but above all the people who realize extraordinary structures worldwide with responsibility and experience.

We work in closely with building owners, architects, engineers and contractors – from the initial idea to successful implementation of complex projects.

Vision

We realize architectural lightweight construction holistically, sustainably, with precision and at the cutting edge of technology.

PFEIFER Structures stands for integrated solutions in the field of wide-span structures and building envelopes, combining design, materials and execution to create durable structures

Construction of a large stadium roof with cranes installing a cable-supported tensile structure at sunset.
Sunlight shining through a perforated metal mesh facade supported by a steel framework.

Mission

Our mission is to implement complex construction tasks reliably in lightweight architectural construction. PFEIFER Structures plans, develops, supplies, assembles and maintains cable structures, membrane and ETFE constructions, and movable building envelopes.

We combine engineering expertise, knowledge of materials and international implementation experience to create tailor-made solutions throughout the entire project life cycle. The responsible use of materials and resources is an integral part of our understanding of lightweight construction.

Sustainability

Building lighter. Thinking further.

For us, sustainability starts with lightweight construction itself: achieving more with less material.

Through structural efficiency, intelligent material use and durable design, we create sustainable lightweight structures and building envelopes that combine architectural ambition with technical performance and responsible use of resources.

We consider the entire life cycle, from engineering and material selection to fabrication, installation, operation and maintenance. Our aim is to minimise material use, extend service life and preserve long-term value, including through the maintenance, adaptation and modernisation of existing structures.

Transparent environmental data, such as our EPD for ETFE foils, supports measurable environmental performance. Our solutions also contribute to projects pursuing internationally recognised green building standards such as LEED.

Lightweight construction means using only what is needed – intelligently, precisely and for the long term.

Alt text: “Aerial view of a large cable-supported mesh enclosure surrounded by dense greenery and winding pathways.
Construction workers installing large structural cables at a stadium using a crane.

Values

  • Responsibility – for the building as a whole
  • Integration – structural framework, shell and implementation conceived together
  • Partnership – cooperation using open dialogue
  • Technical excellence – sound engineering knowledge and experience
  • Sustainability through lightweight construction – material efficiency and durability

Together, these values form the basis for the responsible implementation of complex structures worldwide, driven by our employees and their commitment to quality, collaboration and impact.

History

The history of PFEIFER Structures is closely linked to the development of lightweight architectural construction.

Since its beginnings in the 1960s, the company has developed from an early specialist in cable and membrane structures to an internationally active, integrated partner for wide-span structures, building envelopes and movable systems.

1960s

The beginning of lightweight construction

Initial projects in the field of cable and tension structures lay the foundation for the following specialisation in material-efficient lightweight construction.

several steel cables stretch toward the sky, the photo is sepia-toned

1970s

Pioneering projects
 

Projects such as the Olympic Stadium in Munich raise the international profile of lightweight architectural construction. Wide-span cable structures shape the technical orientation of the company.

roof of the Munich Olympic Stadium at dusk

1980-90s

Specialisation
 

The continuing development of cable structures and cable systems leads to the first building approvals being issued by the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt). At the same time, international project experience grows.

roof of the National Aquatic Centre in Kuala Lumpur

2000s

Major projects
 

Large stadium roofs for the 2006 (Germany) and 2010 (South Africa) World Cups mark a milestone in the implementation of complex roof structures.

roof of the Cape Town Stadium

2010s

Expanded expertise, international growth

Expansion of the service portfolio to include Cover & Kinetic, combining building envelopes and movable systems with structural engineering expertise while strengthening international presence and delivering increasingly complex projects worldwide.

SoFi stadium front

Today

Completing complex structures responsibly

PFEIFER Structures assumes responsibility for the supporting structure, building envelope and movable systems – from planning and implementation to operation.

SMS Campus in Mönchengladbach: bottom view of the roof construction