GLASS FOR FAÇADE 2018

SAINT-GOBAIN BUILDING GLASS – FACADE / 31 The east and west facades and the entrance soffits are covered by around 4,000 m 2 of ventilated, diamond- shaped cassette layer. This is composed of 8,000 large elements of 70 x 70 cm. Three quarters of them consist of differently folded metal reflectors and in the outer level of ceramic-printed cast glass. "The cast glass allows a varied play of light. Contrary to transparent glass, it diffuses and modulates the light with the ambient reflections ", explains architect Christoph Richter. "For us this is an important design effect. "The reflected light creates a constantly changing appearance with the day and the season." The 28 meter wide and 8 or 11 meter high mullions- transom facades on the cantilevered viewing sides are completely suspended from overhead box girders. Approximately 210 CLIMATOP units fixed with the VARIO system ensure optimum thermal protection. The glazing is tinted gray, so that could be dispensed with an external sunscreen. Furthermore, around 330 m 2 of ceramic-printed PLANICLEAR were used. A "Skywalk" leads around and through the roof, which is almost completely covered by PV and solar thermal elements. Like the glazing of the façade, it is an important building block that makes the Futurium the lowest energy house. The future has already begun here.