Tag: Facade Systems

Gaining Heat in a Windy City

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For a large swimming pool complex, high winds and cool temperatures outside make thermal efficiency targets that little bit harder to attain. Add in the need to maximize the amount of natural light poolside, and achieving required heat gains presents a challenge. Translucent Danpalon® façade systems are providing building designers with an elegant solution.

Pachuca in Central Mexico is a very windy city and by Mexican standards is also quite cold, with an average temperature of 16ºC throughout the year. When Alberca Universidad Politécnica Metropolitana came to rebuild its swimming pool complex the building’s thermal efficiency was a key design criteria.

FACADE SYSTEMAt the same time, the project needed to reuse as much existing infrastructure as was possible. With the swimming pool then largely determining the building’s orientation, façade design played a vital role in maximizing natural light and heat gain on the inside while handling the high winds on the outside.

The architects, Instituto Hidalguense de la Infraestructura Fisica Educativa (INHIFE) also had to face the challenge of building in sandy soil conditions that offered a relatively low weight resistance. With the weight and movement of the swimming pool being a significant part of the structure’s overall loading, the use of lightweight façade materials was vital. Turning to translucent Danpalon® polycarbonate façade systems, the INHIFE architects found an aesthetically pleasing and technically robust solution capable of meeting the project’s competing demands for light diffusion, thermal insulation, physical strength and low material weight.

A full-height Danpalon® façade constructed using 16mm Ice panels runs the complete length of one side of the swimming pool on a steel frame, while a further Danpalon® façade using a combination of 22mm 3DLite metallic grey and red panels sits at one end of the pool.

INHIFE architect Edgar Baca said, “The fantastic level of light diffusion that these two complementary façades achieve creates a truly unique ambience, with high quality daylight for the interior and a wonderful luminosity for the exterior at night.”

He continued, “Danpalon® has added a huge amount of character to the building thanks to the interaction of material, light and surroundings. At no point does it ever look the same. The hue, texture and appearance depends on where it’s viewed from and the weather conditions. It has given the project real life and personality.”

The new swimming pool complex is a unique wedge-like form composed of gentle slopes, elegant curves and striking lines. A heightened façade wall to increase the natural light diffusion and enable optimization of roof span and pitch was aided by the use of extra long Danpalon® panels, which also avoided the need for horizontal jointing. Panel installation was rapid, taking just a few days from delivery to completion.

Baca added, “Considering the enhanced thermal efficiency the new swimming pool building has attained, and the tremendous functionality it is now providing, this is a project that to date has not once caused us to think that any kind of design adjustment was merited – it really is working to perfection.”

Facade Systems Bring Beauty, Sustainability and Durability to Your Building

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Sometimes, the most modern building trends are so successful because they make use of something that’s been around well before architects started designing. We’re talking about natural light, of course, that element that can totally transform the appearance of a building. If you’re searching for a design that employs natural light in a way that no other construction method can, you should consider a facade system.

Facade Systems Build With Natural Light

Natural light doesn’t just enter a designed building without careful advance planning. The architect who designs a building deliberately considers the placement of the light by accommodating the angles where the sunlight will appear in the structure at various times during the day. By tapping into the bounty of natural light, that wonderful resource that is available virtually on demand, the architect channels its beautify and its usefulness into a well-planned design.

Facade SystemsThe Strength of Facade Systems

A facade system will bring a level of beauty to your building that other exteriors can’t match. But at the same time, facade systems are durable. They have to be if they’re going to protect a building from the impact of weather. Rain, snow, wind, hail, and even sun all have the power to weaken and damage the structure over time. But facade systems are designed with strength in mind so that they stand up to everything that Mother Nature can send. Different climates will call for different facade systems; what works for a building in a hot, sunny region won’t suit a building in a damp, rainy location. But the versatility of facade systems means that there’s one that’s just right for you.

Facade Systems Are More Popular Than Ever

Buildings have specific functions that require conforming to the template of the structure’s purpose. A gymnasium isn’t going to have the same purpose as a library, and the two buildings won’t be identical. Any building needs to meet certain regulations and codes and as environmental issues have become more of a universal concern, these requirements are reflected in the way buildings are designed and constructed. Facade systems please the public because their energy efficiency is a vital part of the sustainable life style that people practice.

But there’s one area where codes and rules aren’t the driving force behind the design and that is in the creativity that facade systems unleash. If you’re bored by the way so many buildings seem to be designed with a cookie-cutter format, each one looking the same as the one before it, you’re going to appreciate the unbelievable freedom that facade systems offer. With facade systems, the function of a building doesn’t trap it inside a boring format that just repeats what everyone else is building. Functionality is vital for any building, but it doesn’t need to inhibit the potential of a structure to be visually appealing. Danpal’s facade systems allow a structure to perform its intended function while nurturing the people who work and live inside it.

Every building, whatever its intended purpose, is part of a neighborhood and that neighborhood is a community. People who go about their daily business are uplifted when they have the opportunity to enjoy beauty that improves the environment in a holistic way. By choosing a Danpal facade system, you’re making your part of the world a better place.

Facade Systems are the Popular Trend That’s Built to Last

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Escape the Same Old Design with Facade Systems

When you first decided to enter the design field, there’s a good chance that you did so because you wanted to give your imagination free rein. You didn’t want to be locked into the same tired old traditional building styles. You wanted to create structures that fulfilled the function of a building, but without neglecting the beauty that brings a design out of the cookie-cutter assembly line of boring sameness. That’s why facade systems, the popular trend in building, have become so popular with designers and clients alike. They maintain the functionality of a building, but they are able to stay true to their purpose without ignoring the fact that a building can be a source of inspiration for the people who live and work within it, and an enhancement to the neighborhood.

FACADE SYSTEMsWhy Facade Systems are the Smarter Building Choice

Transparent facade systems aren’t just a building’s pretty face. They’re actually its protective armor because they offer superior protection from the weather and high-impact resistance, along with optimal thermal dynamics. Weather rules the outside world and a building that’s constructed well needs to be able to stand up to whatever comes out of the sky. You’ll be amazed by how the quality of a facade system endures for years without needing to be replace. The energy efficiency and durability of facade systems make them the smart choice; our Danpal framed facade is one of the most popular options for buildings.

Keep in mind that facade systems aren’t one-size-fits-all for buildings. The type of façade that you select needs to suit the climate of the region where the building will be located. If you’re building in an area with an abundance of rain and wind, the facade system will have different specifications than a system that’s designed for a sunny climate. Another factor to consider is the style of the building. The façade systems should blend with the right facade, so that they complement one another. Otherwise, an ill-suited choice could ruin the overall effect. When you’re building with a facade system, you have so many more options for color, finishes, and special effects that you want to make sure that everything is just right.

Facade Systems and Light

Perhaps the most popular feature of a facade system is the way that it makes use of natural light. Your design should accommodate the angles at which the sunlight will strike the building at different times during the day, so that you can adjust for it. Factoring this into your calculations gives you the freedom to immediately improve the quality of the building’s interior with natural light.

If you’ve never thought about the wonderful opportunities for creativity that are yours when natural light is included in your design, you’re in for an amazing revelation. Natural light isn’t usually categorized as a building material, but translucent facades have changed the rules for design. Imagine the originality that you can work with when the pattern of light on your building façade comes from nature and your inspiration.

Danpal® Facade Systems: Pioneers of Light Architecture

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Danpal® Facade systems come in a variety of colors, finishes and special effects, providing a dazzling array of creative options. These translucent, dry-glazed systems are available in a wide range of configurations suitable for various types of structures. Lightweight with superior flexibility, Danpal® facades provide high-impact protection from the elements in a variety of climates, particularly in comparison to glass. Transparency, combined with the balance of light and thermal dynamics for any facade, creates an appearance that’s esthetically pleasing and tough enough to handle the outdoor elements.

What are the Benefits of the Danpal® Facade Systems?

facade systemsNatural light pleases the eye but Danpal® facade systems takes beauty one step further with glazing panels that evenly diffuse that light while accommodating the architectural application of daylight through tight spacing in between the ribs. The artistry of the colors, textures, finishes, and effects delivers a glorious palette of options that illuminate by day and turn into light boxes at night. Being tough enough to handle the great outdoors means that the panels, with their Microcell structure, are built to resist damage from hail. And while we’re talking about the elements, you’ll appreciate the fact that the Danpal® facade system boasts co-extended UV protection that guarantees a longer system life. Mother Nature doesn’t always play by the rules, but that’s okay, because with the snap-lock connection system, air and water won’t be able to penetrate the building. The structure is versatile enough to adapt, with concealed joints that create a flush external that can twist if necessary.

Beauty counts, but so does comfort, and the façade system’s superior thermal insulation improvements in ‘U’ and ‘R’ values enhance the building’s overall energy efficiency. The design can control the amount of light, conceal building features, or reveal fascinating visual contrasts, thanks to the integration with conventional glazing. Installation is easy and cost-effective and the system complies with SO9001 and CSTB requirements.

Danpal® Single Glazed Facades: Different Systems for Different Needs

  • The Thermal Advanced AirPT System provides integrated subsoil and frame and thermal break to deliver advanced performance.
  • The Advanced NM System is an advanced face system with an integrated frame.
  • The Traditional TP system is an economical façade system that delivers basic performance without a sub frame.

 

Danpal®: Pioneers in Light Architecture

With 50 years of expertise and innovation in light architecture, Danpal® can be confident that it has not only blazed the trail that others can only follow, but its façade systems have also remained on the cutting edge. The company’s vision guides everything it does to create state-of-the-art systems that make it possible for architects to transform both artificial and natural light into an architectural tool to enhance creativity. A global company that operates on five continents, Danpal® and its five regional subsidiaries employ global distribution and operation to supply the world with the latest in tailor-made daylighting for façade systems. Even the world’s best architects appreciate the inspiration that the Danpal® façade systems generate as the panels turn daylight itself into a creative building tool. Whether it’s the engineering, the design, the comfort or the esthetics, Danpal® solutions meet the most stringent requirements, as well as energy efficiency, to help conserve the world’s natural resources.

How future facade systems will pay a major environmental role

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One of the key buzzwords when you are looking at the design of a building in this day and age is sustainability. This is sustainability in terms of environmental impact, energy efficiency, as well as durability.

The owner of a structure wants to get the best bang for their buck in terms of the costs they are going to be paying for energy, as well as meeting and exceeding the environmental requirements that have been set out by the relevant authorities.

facade systemsOne of the more exciting trends in the field of facade systems has been the development of certain facades that have the ability to eat smog.

This is achieved through a treatment of a thin layer of titanium dioxide, which is a liquid or powder that can be applied to a facade system such as ours at Danpal and when the sun strikes this chemically treated surface, the process of oxidization begins of organic matter, meaning that pollutants will be transformed into carbon dioxide and water vapour.

This exciting new development has already been experimented with in certain projects, such as that of the Manuel Gea Gonzalez Hospital located in Mexico City. This is near the top of the list when looking at the most polluted cities in the world.

This is an exciting development and looks set to have a large impact way into the future. What stops us from coating complete cities is the material? This could be a stepping stone for all facade systems having air quality improvement features built in them during the manufacturing process, which could help to transform the environmental impact our buildings are currently having.

When looking at the environment on a global scale, up to 40{5b578bc8adcb4430178b10faf0e9aa5adf0d58c8ca73fed93934f78c0e900111} of the energy consumed is by building, so this could go a long way towards decreasing the damage that is being inflicted by these structures.

At Danpal, we have been focused on providing facade systems that are environmentally friendly. By using translucent faces, we are able to achieve a superior light diffusion. This means that not as much energy will have to be consumed when lighting up the interior of a structure.

The high thermal insulation and great R values of our system means that less money needs to be spent cooling and heating up a building, as the facade system naturally takes care of lot of these issues automatically.