Techniques for reducing the memory used for processing events received in a data stream are provided. This may be achieved by reducing the memory required for storing tuples. A method for processing a data stream includes receiving a tuple and determining a tuple specification that defines a layout of the tuple. The layout identifies one or more data types that are included in the tuple. A tuple class corresponding to the tuple specification may be determined. A tuple object based on the tuple class is instantiated, and during runtime of the processing system. The tuple object is stored in a memory.