Temporary structures

1 Introduction
2 Regulation
3 Functions of temporary structures
4 Types of temporary structure
5 Examples of temporary structures
6 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] Introduction

Any structure that is not designed for long-term use, but merely to serve some function in the short term, is temporary. At its most basic, a tent is a temporary structure, but it may also be a complete building that provides accommodation or storage, or it could be a form of structure or installation.

Temporary structures are used widely across the UK for purposes ranging from construction and events to emergency response and industrial operations. Their popularity has grown due to advances in lightweight materials, modular systems, and off-site fabrication, which allow buildings to be assembled, dismantled, and reused efficiently.

Modern temporary structures often employ modular construction, lightweight materials, and demountable connections to minimise waste and maximise reusability. Aluminium framing, tensile fabrics, and recycled plastics are commonly used for their strength-to-weight ratio and durability.

Sustainability is an increasingly important consideration. Reusing temporary structures across multiple events or sites reduces the demand for new materials and lowers embodied carbon. Similarly, off-site manufacturing and rapid assembly techniques reduce disruption and improve safety on site.

[edit] Regulation

Schedule 2 of the Building Regulations 2010 defines a temporary building as ‘a building that is not intended to remain where it is erected for more than 28 days’. In some cases, temporary buildings may be exempt from certain building regulations, but this depends on their use, size, and proximity to other structures.

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 defines a temporary use as one that does not exceed 28 days in any calendar year. This limit is reduced to 14 days for certain types of use, such as motor racing, clay pigeon shooting, or markets. Only specific temporary uses may be permitted without formal planning permission. Local planning authorities may require applications for larger or more complex temporary structures, particularly if they have a visual impact, generate significant traffic, or pose environmental concerns.

[edit] Functions of temporary structures

The term temporary structure can include a wide variety of buildings, ranging from small portable cabins to large-scale exhibition halls. They may be required to:

Provide alternative accommodation during the refurbishment or reconstruction of a permanent building. For example, modular classrooms or offices may be installed on school or hospital grounds during redevelopment projects.
Create signature or symbolic pavilions for special events such as trade fairs, festivals, or cultural exhibitions. A notable example is the annual Serpentine Pavilion in Hyde Park, London, which showcases innovative architectural designs using experimental materials and techniques.
Provide temporary domestic or leisure accommodation, such as garden marquees, glamping pods, or event tents for private functions.
Serve as welfare and operational facilities on construction sites, including site offices, canteens, drying rooms, and storage units. Portable buildings, such as Portacabins, are designed to be easily transported, stacked, and reused between sites.
Mark historic or cultural milestones. Iconic structures such as the Millennium Dome (now The O₂ Arena) and the London Eye were both originally conceived as temporary installations for the year 2000. Their popularity and structural adaptability led to their conversion into permanent attractions.
Support industrial or agricultural operations, such as lightweight, demountable buildings, modular canopies, or temporary steel-framed warehouses. These can be used to increase production or storage capacity without the cost or permanence of traditional construction.

[edit] Types of temporary structure

[edit] Events and leisure

Marquees and tents
Exhibition halls and trade fair pavilions
Festival and concert stages
Spectator stands and grandstands
Temporary theatres or cinemas
Hospitality suites and VIP enclosures
Pop-up shops, bars, and restaurants
Art installations and sculpture pavilions (e.g. Serpentine Pavilion)

[edit] Industrial, commercial and agricultural use

Temporary warehouses and storage buildings
Modular factory or workshop spaces
Temporary loading bays and canopy structures
Lightweight steel or tensile-fabric shelters
Temporary greenhouses or polytunnels
Agricultural barns or livestock shelters

[edit] Accommodation and welfare

Modular housing units
Student or worker accommodation blocks
Emergency shelters or disaster relief units
Temporary classrooms or healthcare facilities
Garden studios, summer houses, or annexes

[edit] Infrastructure and transport

Temporary bridges or pedestrian walkways
Traffic management cabins and control points
Temporary railway or airport terminal facilities
Bus shelters and park-and-ride enclosures
Demountable car parks or storage decks

[edit] Public and civic use

Election or polling stations
Temporary visitor centres or information kiosks
Emergency response centres
Memorial or commemorative structures
Seasonal markets or Christmas fair stalls

[edit] Examples of temporary structures

[edit] United Kingdom

The Millennium Dome (London, 1999–2000). Originally built as a temporary exhibition space for the Millennium Experience, this massive tensioned-fabric structure was later repurposed as The O₂ Arena, one of the UK’s most popular venues.
The London Eye (1999). Initially intended as a temporary installation to celebrate the new millennium, the structure became a permanent feature due to its popularity and engineering success.
Serpentine Pavilion (London, annual since 2000). A temporary summer pavilion commissioned each year by the Serpentine Galleries in Hyde Park, designed by leading international architects such as Zaha Hadid, Herzog & de Meuron, Francis Kéré and Sou Fujimoto.
The 2012 London Olympic structures. Many venues from the 2012 Games were designed for temporary or adaptable use, including the Basketball Arena, Water Polo Arena, and parts of the Olympic Stadium, which was later reconfigured for long-term use.
The COVID-19 Nightingale Hospitals (2020). Rapidly constructed modular hospitals created across the UK to provide emergency medical capacity during the pandemic.

[edit] Europe

The Eiffel Tower (Paris, 1889). Originally erected as a temporary structure for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, the tower was intended to be dismantled after 20 years but became a permanent and iconic landmark.
The German Pavilion at Expo 67 (Montreal, 1967). Designed by Frei Otto and Rolf Gutbrod, this tensile-membrane structure pioneered lightweight engineering and inspired modern fabric architecture.
The UK Pavilion, Expo 2010 (Shanghai). Known as the Seed Cathedral and designed by Thomas Heatherwick, it featured 60,000 transparent rods containing plant seeds; dismantled after the event.

[edit] North America

The Crystal Palace (New York, 1853). Inspired by London’s Crystal Palace, this temporary exhibition building demonstrated iron and glass construction in the United States.
Burning Man Temple and City (Black Rock Desert, Nevada). Entirely temporary city and monumental art installations built and dismantled annually, representing large-scale, community-led temporary architecture.
MoMA PS1’s Young Architects Program (New York). Annual temporary pavilion competition showcasing experimental structures by emerging architects.

[edit] Asia and Middle East

Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions. Many national pavilions, including the UK Pavilion designed by Es Devlin, were designed for temporary use and deconstruction or relocation after the Expo.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic venues. Several were designed as modular or demountable structures to reduce long-term environmental impact.

[edit] Historic and early examples

The Crystal Palace (London, 1851). The archetypal temporary building, designed by Joseph Paxton for the Great Exhibition. Its modular cast-iron and glass design revolutionised large-scale construction and prefabrication.
Festival of Britain structures (London, 1951). Including the Dome of Discovery and Skylon, these temporary installations showcased post-war modernism and optimism.