A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided utilizing a membrane suspension for supporting an occupant seated on the seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion and a seat back operatively coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a plurality of reclined positions. Both the seat back and seat cushion are similarly configured each having a frame extending between interconnected and spaced apart side members. The membrane suspension includes opposite terminal edges each fixedly secured to one of the side members to support the membrane suspension in tension between the side members. A rigid panel having an upstanding wall is fixedly secured to the seat back and seat cushion frames. The wall increasingly tensions the membrane suspension during installation of the panel.