When entertainment venues need to be built quickly, membrane structures offer unique opportunities – but also particular challenges. Abigail Matthews, co-founder of Momentum specialises in architecturally ambitious engineering projects, ranging from permanent buildings and large mixed-use developments to bespoke structures and temporary installations. Alongside her work on permanent structures, she has extensive experience in stage technology, rigging and temporary structures and is Chair of the Advisory Group for Temporary Structures (AGOTS). In her keynote, “Membranes and rapid build entertainment venues – balancing lightweight forms with acoustic requirements”, she will explore how the advantages of lightweight membrane structures can be combined with the demanding acoustic requirements of rapidly constructed entertainment venues.