Adaptive and retractable elements are used more and more in modern architecture. A modification in functionality in combination with a varying appearance provides great opportunities from an aesthetic point of view and also provides significant benefits for the users and operators of the building. Using textile membranes and foils for the adaptive or retractable elements provide a significant benefit due to their relatively small dead load in combination with their high-performance characteristics. The invited session will be dedicated to showcase research and developments in the fields of adaptive and retractable lightweight structures. Case studies on the design and construction of realized projects will bridge the gap from research to implementation in modern architecture.