Enhanced guidelines for environment-friendly exterior architectural designs
Article Reframed and Revitalized:
In our fight against climate change, we're not just aiming for low-impact, eco-friendly buildings — we're after ones that last, are easy on the environment, and contribute to the comfort of the people inside. But how do architects and engineers create durable and sustainable facades without breaking the bank on energy consumption? Let's take a deep dive into that question and more during our upcoming AT webinar, supported by industry leaders Kuraray and Powdertech!
Chaired by AT Editor Isabel Allen, our expert panel will include Damian Rogan, Director of Facade Engineering at Eckersley O'Callaghan; Richard Besant, Sales and Marketing Director at Powdertech (Corby); Julia Torrubia, Senior Environmental Designer at Atelier Ten; Allan Gibson, Global Product/Marketing Segment Manager at Kuraray; and Dijan Malla, Senior Associate at Fletcher Priest Architects.
Pioneering Sustainable Design: Case Studies
Damian Rogan will lead the discussion on carbon, comfort, and circularity, with a focus on structural glass, breaking down the logic behind its usage in iconic projects, like the Beijing Library.
In a remarkable departure from the traditional steel structure, Eckersley O'Callaghan adopted a 60% sawtooth, folded, laminated glass facade that was bonded at the edges with solid areas at the bottom. This transparent and 30% carbon-efficient solution let in enough daylight even for a colossal structure with a deep floor plan, such as the library.
Allan Gibson will expound on how the use of a structural interlayer, such as SentryGlas, can cut down on embodied carbon in glass facades without compromising safety or structural performance. This innovative material choice played a crucial role in the Montparnasse Tower restoration in Paris, resulting in aa 15% carbon footprint reduction compared to a standard PCB interlayer.
Dijan Malla will present the transformation of Marylebone Place, a 1930s building in London. While retaining 85% of the original structure and facade, Fletcher Priest Architects incorporated glazed bricks and precast masonry for a modern extension, reducing the project's environmental footprint.
The Power of Material Innovation
Richard Besant and Julia Torrubia will explore the advantages that powder-coated aluminium and architectural design can bring to construction projects, focusing on topics like recylability, energy efficiency, and adaptability to contemporary demands.
Besant will highlight the lighter, more economical nature of an aluminium facade, which requires less additional support and delivers a more uniform result. On the other hand, Torrubia will delve into the intricate interplay between embodied carbon, energy use, aesthetics, and functional factors like acoustics and ventilation in facade design, demonstrating how professionals can strike the right balance through careful engineering and informed design decisions.
Join the discussion to learn from the insights our panelists will share on sustainable facade design, reuse and circular economy principles, and the role of structural glass and other material innovations. Don't miss out on this enlightening AT webinar in partnership with Kuraray and Powdertech!
Enrichment Insights:
- Innovative Materials in Facade Design
- Research and technological advancements can help unlock the full potential of building materials, improving both environmental performance and aesthetic appeal.
- Integrating self-cleaning nanocoatings and kinetic facades can contribute to sustainability by reducing the need for artificial lighting and facilitating the management of natural light.
- Balancing Aesthetics and Sustainability
- Superior aesthetic appeal is one of the major attractions of using glass in facade design.
- Striking the right balance in facade design requires careful consideration of various factors, such as daylight, views, embodied carbon, and energy use.
- The Limitations of Materials
- While innovative materials have numerous benefits, they can also face certain challenges. For instance, static glass facades may struggle to effectively manage excessive sunlight, potentially leading to overheating.
- Some materials may face limitations in extreme environmental conditions, necessitating ongoing research to address these issues. Higher initial costs might also be a barrier to widespread adoption of advanced materials.
- The discussion on sustainable facade design during the AT webinar will cover the use of innovative materials such as structural glass and SentryGlas, which can lower embodied carbon without compromising safety or performance.
- Dijan Malla will share the case study of Marylebone Place, where a modern extension incorporated glazed bricks and precast masonry, reducing the project's environmental footprint by retaining 85% of the original structure and facade.
- Richard Besant and Julia Torrubia will discuss the benefits of powder-coated aluminium and architectural design in construction projects, including recyclability, energy efficiency, and adaptability to contemporary demands.
- Allan Gibson will demonstrate the role of material innovation in reducing the carbon footprint of glass facades, as seen in the Montparnasse Tower restoration in Paris, where a 15% decrease in carbon footprint was achieved using an innovative structural interlayer.
