Abstract: A pre-stressed arch supported membrane structure, a method of assembly and erection and a means of tensioning a membrane of double curvature supported by and attached to upright arches.By moving the ends of flat resilent arch structural members closer together, pre-stressed arches are formed by "bowing."Assembly and erection consists of attaching flat arch member ends to base beams, one fixed and one movable; attaching membranes to these flat members when reclined on the ground, operatively attaching transverse or inclined arch members to their respective structural members; moving the non-fixed base beam towards the fixed base beam thus causing the arches to be formed as the structure rises to its erected position. Preliminary tensioning of the membrane can take place when the transverse or inclined arches are attached to the arch members in their reclined position.