Aluminium foam facade fixed to shading curtain wall structure
In modern architecture, curtain walls are often used for allowing natural light to penetrate through and therefore light mixed-use interior spaces during the day. This curtain walling technique was introduced on the southern part staircase façade of the DBH Innovation and Industrial Centre’s building creating an outstanding design characteristic. The aluminium foam panels were not just installed as a decorative element on top of 100m2 glass wall surface but for shading curtain wall structure from sun as well. Previously on sunny days extreme interior temperatures of just above 50°C were reached due to the transmission of heat from high external temperatures through the glass. The investors were keen on using a sustainable, low-carbon and environmentally friendly product as a solution, which is what we did with the proposal of the Aluinvent aluminium foam façade.
Aluminium foam shading panels
Energy efficiency was key when developing a solution, therefore using zero-carbon elements was our only option. Besides the low maintenance requirements, it was vital that the product used was a 100% sustainable. Aluinvent aluminium foam façade has proven to meet all the above requirements in creating the shading system for the southern facade. The supporting structure behind the aluminium foam panels were created by the curtain wall’s existing pillars and structural bolting assemblies to create a console-aluminium railing system where we could screw fix our aluminium foam panels. Due to this, we did not have to make any structural changes that could have had a negative impact on the curtain-wall’s existing thermodynamic performance. The finished shading façade using the two-side open version panels created a unified surface appearance during the day from the outside, with an enhanced, subtle play of lights on the interior of the building. Meanwhile, at night a slightly different effect of lights escapes through the distinctive organic patterns of the foam resulting in an exquisite appearance.
Significant impact on energy efficiency with shading curtain wall structures
The aluminium foam panels created shading facades show demonstratable improvements in the energy efficiency, resulting in significant energy savings throughout the years. The greenhouse effect previously experienced before the panel installation completely vanished. The internal temperature of the staircase even on the hottest summer day proves to result in no excessive heat gain, compared to other areas of the building. Due to the high thermal mass of the materials, the temperature reached during night-time cooling is maintained throughout the day without the need for air-conditioning or space heating. Primarily, our most important target was achieved by minimising temperature build up in the room space during warm weather and yet prevent the loss of this excess heat in cold periods. The use of low carbon footprint aluminium foam panels for the shading of the glass curtain walls allowed us to keep the heat out, without contributing to climate change.
