Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
the future
of the farmer
'werkplaatsen-gebouw'
3 Introduction
4 012 International Renovation Module
8 PT Cracow
10 TU Delft
12 FH Münster
14 Historical analysis of the former 'Werkplaatsen gebouw'
22 The architecture of 'van de Broek & Bakema'
30 Masterplan 'Wilhelminapier'
38 Programme of wishes
40 The different design solutions
42 Change of mass
66 Light
90 Routing
104 Change of programme
122 Special use
130 Facade
152 Facade systems
This book shows the essentials of the work of students on a theoretical commission to renovate 'het werkplaatsengebouw' for new functions. The
students from the TU Delft, the PT Krakow and the FH Münster tried to find the best adaptations to give the building a new life. 'Het
werkplaatsengebouw' is situated on a peninsuia in the city of Rotterdam. This area is important because of the booming building activities and,
because of these activities, it serves as a visiting card for the municipality The functions of buildings on th is peninsuia are mainly related to the high-
quality offices, to several types of housing and to special activities required in such a high quality area, includes facilities for shopping and relaxation .
The building designed by the architectural firm 'Van de Broek & Bakema' can be considered a young monument.
To be able to work together on an international basis is an important goal for the students. Internationally weil known architects are invited to lecture
for the benefit of both the students and of others working in the building industry. They teil the audience about their philosophies in relation to
renovation as the future task for architects. The audience, especially the student body, learns from these contributions and this assists in the formation
of their own philosophies.
David Christophe, a student of the 1997 course wrote: "It is commonly believed that the architect who deals with renovation should first of all have a
historical knowledge of the building he is working on, al most like an archaeologist. It is even more important for him to have a good knowledge of the
society for which the renovation is to be executed, a knowledge of today's and tomorrow's society, of its technical, economical, social, political and
cultural aspirations.
Renovation therefore consists largely of a need to adapt and transform, in order to inscribe the building in the present, in relation with its past and in
preparation for future use and re-use. It is only through the acceptance that this architecture is not to last forever and is to be further remodelled and
re-adapted, that the architect can serenely and with humility bring the building on to a higher level, by inscribing it inside the continuum of a dynamic
history of man.
Ruth Ashby, student of the 1998 course describes the essentials for renovation as follows: "Because buildings are still so often structurally and
technically sound, but qualitatively and economically unsound, a dilemma begins about the feasibility of renovating or demolishing. Different aspects
of this dilemma have had priority at different times in our history. Priorities vary in other parts in the world because local factors need to be considered,
influenced by both practical resources and cultural ideologies. The task of the renovator is to acknowledge the existing building, respecting what is
there, understand the limitations and research the appropriateness of the building for re-use before embarking on the process of adapting the building
for a different use and function. Buildings have always been adapted, changed and adjusted, very often bit by bit without consideration for the whoie.
Here often necessity is the mother of invention, and the renovation takes place for practical and functional reasons. The better approach to the
renovation is to take into account the whole picture with its surroundings, fitness for purpose (suitability) and feasibility.
Different building typologies, fashions and trends have influenced the approach and attitude to confronting the issues of how to deal with existing
buildings. Emphasis on the durability and life span of buildings has varied dramatically. The importance of a building to the community influences the
attitude to the building. The building typology, style and architectural value of ten also influence decisions made about its renovation. The relative
wealth of the community at the time, materials available, the old and new function, climate and typology.
The first thing to accept about renovation is that the resto red is going to be different to the original. This though, is an opportunity to breathe new life
into an old building. The approach taken outlined by Herbert Bühler is as follows.
"Conserve the typology, no sentimental romanticism, respect the historic areas as such, study the scale and proportion of the original, in order to be
aware of it when designing additional parts to the building, were applicable preserve old details. Entertain the idea of using space underground and
respect the design quality."
These careful descriptions related to renovation give hope for the future of our cultural and urban heritage. We have to focus on the building stock as
our heritage to lead it in a good way to the future and that in architectural, economic and environmental ways.
It is a pleasure to see in how many ways and with what visions and creativity a building such as 'het werkplaatsengebouw' can be changed to fit for
future purposes by 50 or 60 students. The design work of students is at stake here. All, using their individual abilities, produced their ideas within the
limitations of a double page and wrote a text as a basic background to their plan. There are differences in the quality of ideas and presentations but,
as an overview of possibilities adaptations, it is good to have them in print.
012 is an international renovation module. Dutch students, participants in the Erasmus study
programme (who already studying in Delft) and students from abroad may take part in this project.
Other universities are also involved in the project, including The E.T.H. Zürich, TU Frankfurt, TU
Krakow and TU Münster. In 1998, the technical universities of Delft, Krakow and Munster participated.
The project
The students have to make a design for the former "Werkplaatsen Gebouw" of the Holland-America
Line (HAL) designed by the late Professor J. Bakema. The project involves both technical and
architectural problems.
The building is situated on a peninsuia in the old harbour of Rotterdam, from which passenger and
cargo vessels formerly sailed for America. The entire peninsuia was used by the HAL. The buildings
included a hotel, arrival and departure halls and warehouses. The "Werkplaatsengebouw" was a
warehouse. The people emigrating to or returning from America stored their luggage in the "Werkplaat-
sengebouw". The repair of furniture of the Holland-America-Line also took place in the building.
Nowadays th is peninsuia is no longer used by the HAL; however, it is located in the middle of
Rotterdam's biggest developing area, the Kop van Zuid. This area is being transformed into an office
and business district and is linked with the old commercial centre of Rotterdam by the Erasmus-bridge.
The assignment
The assignment was to create a high-quality office building with related facilities. Technically speaking,
the facade is very interesting because it is a minimum facade and intended solely to keep out wind, rain
and burglars. To use this building for new functions it is necessary to solve both architectural and
technical problems. One of the main questions is how to renovate such a recently built listed building
Why international
Internationallecture evenings
Rodrigo Alaminos Rodriguez and Gemma Vidal I Carner wrote about the lecture of Herbert
Bühler: "Th ere is a contradiction between historie buildings and new functions. And in the
examples that he shows there always was a serious respect for the old , but also the wish to
underline the difference between that what exist and that what is needed to fulfil the new function.
In the first project conserving the typology and the historie details nothing was added with
exception of a new glass facade in front of an existing stone wall. The floor integrates the new
heating system .
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In the renovation of an school, the image of the old building was changed only by introduction of
light (directing, reflection, .. )
The difference between new and old is used to express an intention . He wants contrast between
new and old, but always in sucha way that can be understood how the existing building works in
terms of structure, function, ...
---_.-
"'--------
Faculty of Architecture
Students who successfully complete the five years course in architecture are entitled to use the
abbreviation ir. before their names. On reaching this point a many former students start their practical
lives. Some start out as professional architects, but many choose other fields, showing that their
creative way of thinking is valued by society. After the first stage, which leads to graduation, a further
. four-year phase of study may lead to the award of a PhD in a technical science.
The courses of the faculty of architecture follow a basic a system of project-orientated learning. Each
project has to be studied over a period of eight weeks. During the first two years ten projects have to
be studied. These may involve central ideas such as 'the house', which integrate such aspects as
architectural design, history and theory, bearing structures and mechanics, informaties and drawing.
Other basis subject areas are 'form and function ', 'building processes' and 'design and re-use'. In all
these areas the acquisition of knowledge is integrated with a design task. By following such a system
students discover earlier in the course of their study whether their choice of the faculty of architecture
was the indeed the best one. In the third year of the degree course, again a choice has to be made.
Now it is concerned with specialization. Five options are offered: architecture (A), Building
Technology (B), Town-planning (S), Real Estate Management and Project Management (BMVB) and
Social Housing and Urban Renewal(VHSV). In relation to renovation the specializations of
Architecture and Building Techniques are especially important. Architecture (A) and Building
Techniques (B) both focus on buildings. The first more on the design aspect the latter more on
construction . Both specializations provide the opportunity to opt for a special theme like the ageing of
buildings 'and re-use.
11
The title suggests that there is a clear distinction between restoration, renovation and re-use. In reality
the differences are becoming smaller than in earlier times. Even with regard to listed buildings, the
ideas relating to the approach to restoration approach may differ greatly. A
restoration approach, in which a return to the original state is the target (however impossible this may
bel, is one possibility. Another option is to take an approach in which previous changes are
considered to be equally as important as the original state, since they teil us something about the
history of the building. Withregard restoration, these are the options. From the financial point of view
institutions as Dutch heritage, or other gremia no longer have enough money for necessary
restoration interventions. To raise the necessary funds for restoration it is necessary to seek new
functions for the buildings. Now, however, most functions demand that there is far more light or
comfort than was previously considered acceptable. Adaptations are needed. The adapted building
can remain, serving a useful function and has a sound financial basis. The difference between
restoration and renovation becomes smaller. From a technical point of view also, the differences
between renovation and restoration are smalI. In both cases the newest techniques are used for the
interventions needed to execute the desired changes. Wh en buildings are to be renovated, the
intervention often extends beyond the building itself. Often the area and the infrastructure adjacent to
the building play a part in the intervention. Some of the buildings, or perhaps part of a building may be
pulled down or totally changed. The renovation of buildings also involves aspects reli:lting to
restoration and to the construction of new buildings. Using existing buildings is also a starting point for
the design process. This means"that it is essential to have information aboutthe building and about
the situation in relation to the desired programme. It also means that it is necessary to determine what
has to remain from historical, cultural and town planning points of view, as weil as the technical
possibilities and the economie feasibility. How the adaptation satisfies new functions or how the
desires for re-u se can be realized in existing buildings is even more important is. The interactions
created by renovation must be .of such quality that the building, with its historical elements, can
function in the present and that options for future re-use remain open. This is an important challenge
for architects and also for the educational program mes of universities.
There are several of alternative study options, so the students can make
choices based on their individual interests and aptitudes. This gives them an
opportunity to develop their own styles and a 'master-pupil' relationship is often
created between the architect and his former teacher. International contacts are
also based on personal involvement. Following ten years of intensive contact
with the Polytechnic of Krakow, the increasing possibilities for exchanges and
for cooperation with the Delft University of Technology are now considered by
teachers and students alike, to give further enrichment of international
cooperation. This is evidenced by the participation of the Faculty of Architecture
of Munster in the international module for renovation and reuse, taking as its
example the reuse of the 'werkplaatsengebouw' of Prof. J.B. Bakema in
Rotterdam.
After the initial project of Mart Stam in Frankfurt, this has become the second
example in a series. This series will derive from the relations between Delft and
Munster and between various other Faculties of Architecture in Europe,
including the Polytechnics of Krakow and the E.T.H. in Zurich. The plan is to
continue this series that is so important for the experience of the students by
setting up a workshop in Krakow as an international contribution to the year
2000, wh en Krakow will be the Cultural Capitalof Europe.
Paolo Monesi
The site
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buildings were placed trom Van den Broek
and Bakema bu reau : the Arrival Hall , some
11
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warehouses and the repair workshop.
The workshop , on the central axis of the pier
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, . and behind the cUNed roof shaped Arrival
Hall , shows its proper importance of the
construction and its relative height (almost 20
• m) is relevant from the Maashaven side; who
would observe the pier trom the Nieuw Maas
(C
o
\ the not far away open sea .
According to a drawing , a bright advertising
sign by the Holland-America Lijn was
supposed to be placed on the top roof of the
workshop; this as a demonstration of the site
importance atlributed to the building.
The Wilhelminapier, artificially created at the
..... end of the last century, is characterized to
o
o have lengthened shape which bends, parallel
to the Eiland island, to include the Rijnhaven .
Buildings that have been built here have a
similarly lengthened shape; besides, the ones
on the central axis are with rounded or 45
cut corners : caused by obvious practical
• reasons , to make easy the manouvres to
II!. means ot transport, it is nowadays an
,, importand distinguishing mark.
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CD The functional program
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c. The building is structured as a massive '800
~- ~·r~~ building on 4 levels with an underground floor.
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• ot · But the application of concrete technology and
the large use of glass betrays its modernity.
One of the most interesting solutions that Van
" den Broek adopted was a transversal passage
.\ next to the centra I axis which allows the
crossingfrom one side to the other of the
•• • building ; this is situated almost in the middle
of the structure and was used primarily as
main entrance for walkers but also as a
gangway for lorries and cars that could pass
from one side to the other of the building
avoiding to turn it all around.
16 HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FORMER 'WERKPLAATSENGEBOUW'
Paolo Monesi
A free space
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17
Background
Paolo Monesi
Paolo Monesi
Proportions
Conclusions
The architecture of Van den Broek and Bakema (Ieft) and Van den Broek with the model of the Delft civil Engineering building
Bakema
Vroesenlaan 1935 (Van den Broek) that caught the attention , like his town-
planning scheme for Matheneserbrug , the
high-rise housing at Ungersplein en the U-
shaped block of apartments at the
Vroesenlaan , opening towards the park. The
dwellings featured sl iding partitions and wall-
beds providing different use of space during
day- and night time.
abstract, and not only fuctional and honest. It Department stores near the Lijnbaan shopping area in Rotterdam
is a dynamic style that is related to Russian
Constructivism of the nineteen twenties.
Buildings
Town-planning
Housing
being a vertical element in a mainly horizontal Research Laboratorium for T.U. Delft
image.
The architecture is functional. The composing
elements are carefully designed, but not in a
preconceived aesthetic way. Wherever it suits,
apart from glass the façades may be closed
surfaces, and out of the roof protrude elevator
shafts and installation structures. Taking into
account the future construction of an extra
storey, these roof-structures are even higher
than one would expect.
the plan.
I _ - - - -
the programme would mean that underground
parking in two layers would no longer offer
sufficient capacity to conform to the parking
standards laid down in het zoning scheme.
The profiles of the streets and the quays have
been adapted in the extension of the study
carried out of this subject.
The head, middle and tail of the pier form the
exceptions in the characteristic crosssection
of the masterplan. The two streets converge at
the Wilhelminaplein, and cross the profile of the
city boulevard. At the point where the southern
street bends towards the crossing point, the
standard cross-section in two high building
zones along the perimeters and a lower zone
with buildings in the middle is brought to an end. transparency on the scale of the city
31
Program
The buildings in the three zones have clearly
been placed in a frontage line. In front of th is
2,500 m2 museum 11 5,000 offices frontage line, a building has been placed which,
4,000 rentable space in terms of scale, relates to the court complex
2 40,000 m2 offices • and forms both the spatial and functional
12 290 student housing units link/pivot between the pier and the
3 40,000 m2 offices • Wilhelminaplein.
13 175 residential units The HAL departures terminal forms the point of
4 6,000 m2 expo 1,000 retail differentiation in the middle of the pier within the
regular cross-section. The long, stretched-out,
5 40,000 m2 offices· 14 320 residential units low building lies slightlty off the frontage lines,
2,000 retail the quay in front of the building is wide. The two
6 60,000 m2 offices· passages along both sides of the departures
15 175 residential units terminal make th is broad quay accessible for
7 6,000 m2 hotel 1,000 retail service traffic. The head of the pier is the point
where everything converges; the access
8 4,500 m2 offices 16 205 residential units street, the quays and the magnificent view
1,000 retail downstream. A special spot for an exceptional
9 5,500 m2 offices programme which serves to further dramatize
17 10,000 offices the identity of the Wilhelmina pier as a
10 100 residential units 12,000 hotel peninsuia in the middle of the river, on the
2,500 m2 retail 1,000 retail dividing line between port and city. The building
here is low, the Hotel New Vork continues to be
the optica I bow of the Wilhelmina pier 'ship'. The
sightline from the Wilhelminaplein to Hotel New
• in these figures the floor arease below 8 meter Vork forms the dividing line between the high
height are excluded. buildings and the lower ones.
section
32 MASTERPLAN 'Wilhelminapier"
traffic
traffic structure.
street profile.
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th is results in a layout typology of 5 dwellings
per storey. The dwellings have an average
gross size of 150 m2 •
,i public space
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The public space on the Wilhelmina pier is to be
divided by the urban design structure into th ree
zones; the quays along the river and the
Rijnhaven, the inner area where the
----, warehouses used to be and the !wo strips for
-LJ the new high-rise buildings. This tripartite
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Wilhelminaplein and the Koninginnenhoofd, and
the surroundings of the previous head office of
the Holland-Amerika Lijn, the present Hotel New
Vork. The quays along the river and the
I ' I c;, Rijnhaven form the cohesive perimeter around
I
i the Wilhellmina pier. Accessible to the public,
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I i! they offer a walk with long views over river and
1- Rijnhaven. In addition, the quays retain their
working function: for inland navigation at the
Rijnhaven, and along the river for cru ise ships.
The quays are paved with cobble stones; a
strip of concrete industrial paving slabs
provides a flat surface on the river side for
provisioning.
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The inner area around the former warehouses
consists of gene rous pavements on each side
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:§ of the access streets. The carriageways are
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asphalt, forming an entity with the main roads in
"Kop van Zuid" . For the pavements, use has
been made of long, sand-coloured tiles. The
light colour brings a light quality to the narrow
st reet profiles and fits in weil with both the
existing brick buildings and the modern,
technical materials of the new office buildings.
36 MASTERPLAN 'Wilhelminapier"
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In the wide pavement in the middle strip, an <r:
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element newly to be developed wil! provide <i: I:
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lighting for the carriageway and pedestrian o
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area, and an opportunity to hang up festive Q)
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special programme has been indicated. a high- I
level garden, linked to the upper storey, forms
a balçony over the river. A raised jetty offers
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the ultimate vantage point. On the quay, the ~ --'--_: ---- ------- ---- ------------
terrace of the Hotel New Vork is situated,
complete with an awning and tea pavilion. The
jetty for the service to the right bank of the I-
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37
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be given a clear form. The main entrances of
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access to building entrances.
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C urban design rules
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The urban design rules are divided into five
categories. These categories are, in sequence:
the substructure, the superstructure,
transparency and two alteration options.
The rules relating to the substructure define the
structure and organisation of the public space
by means of frontage lines, the building to be
implemented, desired situation of the parking
garage or service entrances.
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This set of rules forms the guarantee of a clear
and high-quality distinction between the areas
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to be sold and the public areas.
C' ~ The rules for the superstructure re late to the
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38 PROGRAMME OF WISHES
Programme of wishes
The new function for "het werkgebouw is a high standard office building with extra facilities added
to. Important is the fact that the building runs longitudinally with streets on both sides. That is
why the building needs central entrances on both si des. After entering the building, the visitor
must experience an impression of space. In this area, an information desk is in use during
opening hours. Escalators are preferred to elevators to avoid the formation of queues waiting for
the elevators
Offices
The space directly behind the facades is intended for offices. The offices must not be designed as
boring office cells or as empty landscape offices. Transparency and openness are keywords in
the multifunctional use of spaces. Considering the volume of the building and the possibility to
divide it in offices of about 600 m2 , it is necessary to introduce two extra staircases, one on each
longitudinal facade. Toilets and cloakrooms must be designed in coordination with these.
In the middle area to the left and the right of the entrance hall, other functions can be
accommodated, such as meeting lecture and reception rooms. If these office-supporting rooms
are not in use, the rooms should be transparent. When they are in use, however, a simple
aesthetic means must be insta lied to prevent people from looking into the rooms. Other
supporting activities are a space for copying and binding reports and other documents, a
helpdesk to solve computer problems, a restaurant for the employees, a fitness centre and a day-
care room for children.
Special Activities
To give the building a feeling of luxury and a more vivid atmosphere, part of the building will be
subiet for special activities. For example the centra I area of the ground floor, possibly together
with a part of the cellar, could be used for exhibitions. Provision could also be made for a grand
café and several shops like a grocery store, a bookshop, a hairdresser, a fruit and vegetable
shop, or gift shops.
Other demands
In addition to the measures needed to adapt he façade and construct new stairs and entrances,
the façade also needs attention from the point of view of building physics. It is necessary to
consider the addition of insulation on the inside or the outside of the façade panels. In th is
context, insulation means more than merely adding materials to the existing facade.
Another very important requirement is daylight. In one way or another light has to be introduced
from above to light the middle area. If it is necessary to demolish or to change a part of the
existing structure to reach this target than this is allowed on condition that safety is not atstake.
Of course, the cost and effect of the measures is important. The general wish is to design in such
a way that there is a difference between the character and atmosphere between the more private
office functions and the more public functions.
The possible uses for the cellar require investigation. It may be possible to use part of it for car
parking. If parking lifts we re used it might be possible to accommodate up to three cars, one
above the other. The quality of offices can be enhanced by the provision of parking lots.
39
Offices
The term "office" has a broad perspective. No longer are offices a combination of cells or
alternatively open spaces, (landscape offices). To develop and to design a modern offices
building see the brochure of the National Building Service of the Ministry of Public Housing, Town
Planning and the Environment entitled "Kantoorinformatie, de werkplek belicht".
The directing idea for re-use of "het werkgebouw" is to situate the offices in the outer zone of the
building, adjacent to the façade.
The depth of the office area is based on the structure of the columns , in such a way th at within
the office area the columns are symmetrically spaced. According this system the maximum depth
of the office is L+2A. L is the distance between the heart clines of the columns, while A is the
distance between the heat of the column and the inside of the facade. Because of the structure of
the columns , the offices will also have a slightly tapered form .
From a structural point of view, it is relatively easy to make big openings in the floors in the
middle area between the columns. This is the area outside L/4 from heart column .
Daylight is very important in the offices. This aspect will strongly influence the design.
At both the ends of "het werkgebouw" , there are emergency staircases , but it is necessary to add
a further staircase on longitudinal façade. These are also the places to accommodate toilets ,
c1oakrooms etc. Between the four staircases offices of about 625 m 2 can be located, which
implies that there will be 2500 m2 gross office floor per storey. Adding together the ground floor,
first, second and third there will be about 10.000m 2 gross office surface available.
Special activities
exhibitions 500 m 2
a grand café 200 m 2
shops (grocery, bookshop, hairdresser, gift shop etc.) 800 m 2
day-care centre for children 100 m2
fitness cent re 200 m 2
Total requirements
offices 10.000 m2
office supporting activities 1.630 m 2
activities connecting to the building 1.290 m 2
special activities 1.800 m 2
40 THE DIFFERENT DESIGN SOLUTIONS
With a given programme of wishes andan existing building, it is always interesting to see how
architects manage to find their own solutions by fitting their plans to the building. The differences
are based on the creativity of the individual architects and the ways in which they interpret the
strengths of the design and the quality of the existing building. The significance of the solution in
relation to the immediate surroundings of the building is also important. This is true for the
'werkplaatsengebouw' of the architectural firm Van den Broek en Bakema.
For the students, an important factor is whether they look at the building as a building worth
preserving or merely as an economic unit; a collection of building elements, both the function and
appearance of which can be changed .
The plans designed by the student-architects show a variety of solutions and follow a variety of
directions. In analysing the plans, it was usually possible to determine the dominant aspect that
led to the design. To produce some sort of order we arranged the plans according to what we
considered the dominant aspect. This does necessarily mean that the chosen factor was the only
one that determined the plan, or that it was given a much stronger weighting than other factors by
the student submitting the plan.
Change of mass
The projects placed under heading 'Change of mass' are designed in such a way that the new
form has a bigger mass than the original one. The order progresses from small changes to major
modifications. The first example is aredesign with only an element on top of the building as an
eye-catcher. The second example adds a new floor to the existing building, which was always an
option that could be easily realised. The third group of changes includes the addition of building
elements to the existing building in such a way that these elements break through the original
building envelope. Subsequent designs use the area originally covered by other buildings. The
positioning of each plan is related to the possibilities of changing the site plan for the 'Kop van
Zuid'.
Light
Many of the proposed interventions involve the creation of means to introduce light into the
building in relation to the functions given in the programme of wishes. The most extreme are the
redesign plans in which functions which do not require natural light are placed in the middle part
of the building. One of these plans uses the middle part as a showroom for cars and for a car
park. Here individual parking space is provided next to each office th at is rented .
Slowly but surely, we proceed through a series of solutions proposing the location of lecture
rooms and meeting rooms in the middle part of the building. This group continues with options
using small light shafts to create light spots within the building, finally increasing to the creation
of big openings in the building.
Routing
Routing has been chosen because in some study projects, owing to their degree of visibility, the
routing of means of access to and through the building plays a dominant role.
41
A big staircase extending through the building and always visible is one example. Alternatively,
large wide staircases that are circular in form may work in such a way that the staircase is partly
astaircase and partly a slope. Another example develops the routing so that it is like strands of
spaghetti going up into the building.
The order in which the projects are presented is related to the given programme of wishes. The
first examples differ very little from those given in the programme. Then small changes are
added, leading, for example, to the inclusion of hotel functions in relation to the high quality
offices and to the addition of apartments. Later plans deviate even more from the given
programme of wishes but, on the other hand, we know that the Municipality of Rotterdam itself
also wishes to use the building for another purpose.
Special use
We selected this group to give a better illustration of some of the basic ideas. One of the designs
uses a horizontal division of functions instead of avertical division. The office function is also
translated into the provision of office accommodation for young people and for 'sport related'
offices. The last plan in this group opts for a different type of spaces, 'blobs', which dramatically
change the atmosphere in the building.
Facades
The question is what to do with the minimum facade. The discussion concerns the forms and
new functions, not the architectural quality. Can the facade be used for the offices or for the
public functions? Several interventions, for instance, are intended to retain the present outside
image but to improve the insulation by adding material to the inside of the facade and to change
the windows by using double glazing . The range extends from doing nothing at all that will
change the appearance of the facades to the partial or total removal of the facade. To give the
student's solutions a place in the list of options we have added a chapter on facade systems as
an appendix.
42 CHANGE OF MASS'mast'
. . . . . . . . . . . .••............
........................ . . .. .
... ...................................................
44 CHANGE OF MASS 'creating an inside world'
Plrs"tctiyt
46 CHANGE OF MASS 'bakema'
,,-,,!,;.
kb
k_",::<':
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:~"H~Y~J\t-I' 8l~K~.lI\~êiYK
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'green,space ,movable
,. , ', . ... ," ". - " ' " ,
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,:MATERIALS
ti Rènovatiön -,alumihium windows
", ~y~tern, tràh~parent~!ass .·
0:~ddition - pointload 'supported glass
, fá~ade.,;.transparentglass, . movaple
• •.• ;shiJfter~ón~lidêways
.. ,"Bridges,oyer,atrium-.· steelwork
48 CHANGE OF MASS 'the class building'
1
1
v .
..... 1
CHANGE OF MASS 'the boat office' 49
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Scheme of the plans, ground floor and second Technical detail of the new facade structure
floor. Above the longitudinal section
Maia Bujak, Michal Miçtka, Dominika Sçk, Pawel Zuk • Prof.Dr.-lng. habil. A. Kadlucka
51
52 CHANGE OF MASS 'vertical volumes'
The project
Functions
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54 CHANGE OF MASS 'one and two'
The connection
Gemma Vidal Carner, Rodrigo Alaminos Rodrigues • ir. H. van der Heijden
t !f"4:. ! ..' ..
. 0 " "l!J'O
8~itf
t . floor
1 : 500 offic••
1 : 500
F"'t
l2t
-.
~
.-
59
for Rotterdam
~
ENERGY
60 CHANGE OF MASS 'the human scale sandwich'
--)
Urban Reflection
The strip
", n
I : L-J D
,-, i
o o 0
topview roof
/
/
firu OO<H
61
The sandwich
Activity
In accordance with the location and the new The first is a public area that includes To achieve this aim I will create an atrium
functions of the building, which include the different services such as shops, exhibition and a wall , wh ich will make us experience
provision of offices and services, I propose halls, a dining room, a gymnasium and a these two parts as one spa ce. The atrium
dividing the building into two parts. restaurant. This part is directly connected to a includes the vertical services, concentrating
square that will relate the building to the them in the centra I part of the building and the
surrounding space. The second part, which is communal functions are beside the wal!. This
located on the upper floors, is the office area. will allowafree plan, giving access to light
and creating a more dynamic distribution of
the space.
63
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64 CHANGE OF MASS 'the box of glass'
Introduction
' - - -- - - --~----
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"1
Projected route .. . ~'.r::;, r:--'. ~~ . ,I. --.:; . •/
:...: _~ __:
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the entity of the build ing as much as possible, , I' ['::1 lil-
~._------- - ------ - ---.;
while at the same time effecting astrong and
firm intervention, that is visible and
recognisable. This is intended to introduce
"light" as an element through "cuts" that in my C· :., ' l-'.-.=-=e=
~. .. ' . . . r . '- . " rl
.,I
opin ion look interesting and easy to
/. ; . :..f:':'::~:::~~
, ~. . ,
understand. These generate the idea of
forming real boxes of light entirely
l'
, .. 'o._._:.r:::
j'--:'::I .~.. . ..
~..:..J
'? j
.
.
..c. E
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composed of glass, through which light I L; . . ".....-t-- :--.~
penetrates into each floor. Tied to the building I. '- - - . '===.
. . . .,,·l. i· , . ' 1. .-
- -
itself, they form something really separate,
with their own performance and structure.
r
Their fitting is in no way accidental ; these
boxes have been conceived in relation to the
sta ircase blocks, projecting out of the building
~""~ "I~·r_~~··
~. . . . . L-.:- " ~ ..
. .l.:, ' ~' r ,-&tr::-]
structure but completely independent of it
, . ,:, /:. . ..-.- .,..LT:' .: ...~.-
•,./ ..
~. "7,.", .n. , . . .~
having a fully separate inner soul. In the
1 • •
same way, the resulting new "light boxes" are
. /--'-- I" . • . -. ' . "
supported by a new structure and project out , .
of the building creating real "totally free
inside spaces 'made' of light". They are
located along the longer sides of the entire
building extending from the basement to the
roof and above, thus extending beyond the
perimeter of the building and forming
elements visible from every side.
My "real route" , starting from the basement,
now becomes visible.
Where the resulting boxes are visib le on the
facade, there is a "relative access" to the
basement.
.
v
-' ~ ~~ /
~. ~~
til ~
~
Structural route
~ ",1
-_._ \\
-,
IJ
"~' _--D
Entirely made of glass, each box is - ... -..
completely supported by an independent \\ j ..'
->I
t t -' ê _.~
LAS PALMAS
THE USE OF' THE DARK S~l:tCli:.: ,Lotsof~\ buildings which
""'" . " " . . s or dwellings are"<ê'f'êäte:d ::'ire origin as "
ging
give them a use which doesn' t
parking. In this way a new concept
parking together with offices .
. ------_._- -.-- --- -- .-.---- -_._- .
I
I
FLOOR 1 AND 2
~ .
68 LIGHT 'hybrid'
SART
4 OFFICE
3 OFFICE
o
2 MARKET
PERSPECTJVe NIEW LAYER.
1 STORES
-I ~~
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69
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70 LIGHT 'life is multidimensional'
Daniela Büter, Sandra Desmarowitz, Gernot Hildbrand, Franziska Kist. Prof.Dr.lng H.E. Menneman, DipLIng. M. Thesing
MICROCOSM:
itself.
-. - --",
The entrance The New Cultural Square My mind is drifting off and the surroundings
Passing the shop windows, I walk to the I enter the New Cultural Square, and see that make me feel as if I'm back in Pare Guel
entrance, which is accentuated by a big a fashion show is still going on. It's already again . I look at my wateh, and see it's almost
billboard saying, "Open air movie 1984, getting dark outside, but the square is ten o'dock, time for the movie. I walk to the
playing tonight". As I enter the building I see a illuminated by the light shining down from the bar, order a glass of beer and some nacho
system of elevators and escalators going to . cu bes in which the cafe is situated. I don't chips, and walk back to the New Cultural
the upper floors. really feel like fashion tonight so I leave the Square.
New Cultural Square, cross the internal street,
The internal st reet and walk down the ramp to the Old Cultural
The internal street is accentuated by a curved Square. Working D'light
screen, which goes up through the ceiling .
Normally I take the escalators to go to my The Old Cultural Square The next morning
office on the top floor, but this time I'm here The mushroom columns are like trees in a I wake up with a headache. Maybe it's the
for something else. It's not work this time; it's forest, and the coloured light is falling through beer and the vod kas. I have an aspirin, a cup
pleasure. While I walk to the centre of the the ceiling onto the square, like light through of black coffee and some corn flakes. Then I
street, 1 can already see the special light the branches of the trees. I sit down at a small leave my apartment, walk to the subway
effe cts of the images projected onto the table and look around . In the left corner there station, and take the subway to station
outside of the big curved translucent screen. are some musicians playing, and as I look out Wilhelmina Pier. Here I get out and walk past
over the square towards the Hotel New Vork, I the waterfront in the direction of Hotel New
can see a flame-eater performing . In the . Vork. It's busy, although it's still early. A lot of
,centre of the square there are some statues, . . sharply dressed men are going into their big .
73
glass boxes, which separate the centre of the and relax, with a newspaper, and a cup The light-radiator
pier from the waterfront. The advantage is coffee before work. It's going to be a beautiful It's four o'clock when the group arrives. The
that the waterfront is now a pedestrian area, day. I can see a very bright light falling secretary sends them to the waiting room next
because the offices also separate the cars through the light tubes down onto the square. to the vide. from where thev can look into the
from the waterfront. When I reach Las It must al ready be very sunny outside. After building, including the presentation rooms, but
Palmas, I cross the st reet and enter the finishing my coffee, I get up, walk to the they can 't see what's inside. The plans are
building. internal street, take the escalator through the hanging on the walls when they enter.
core of the building, and go to my office on Because of the translucent facade , it's very
Las Palmas the 4th floor, say "Good morning" to the light inside, but there is no direct light, so the
I'm a bit early, but that's no problem. I enter secretary, and enter our segment. plans and drawings are very weil lit. They sit
the Old Cultural Square, and sit down for a down; curtains move in front of the walls , and
nice cup of cappuccino. It's nice to sit down the 'compuvid ' starts the presentation . The
customers are very pleased, and so are we.
We want to celebrate so the entire group goes
down to the Old Cultural Square to have
some beers in the sun . Before my work is
done, I have to deliver some drawings to the
west side of Las Palmas.
D'light tubes
I always .Iike to go to the west side. This is the
more creative part of the building, with some
UGHT ,~é"'l.· RETtGmOAJ /"-' ~e-/IJ ..IP"""l small studios and ateliers. The special part of
I ÜCHr Tut3~!>/ l-V CWoSEO
.J;J/JCtr/
c--'CI-IT ;?I1t.JI-9Tol? /
"'Ni:>
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this side is the centre . It's a space that can be
Ot/) Cut.TulUt ~6hIARE //..Jrell;<tlfl
Ne-w cUlTU/lAL used as a meeting room , but also as
exhibition space. It's not a normal space,
defined by walls. No, it's a special space,
defined by coloured light, which is falling
through light-tubes. These tubes pierce
through the build ing and provide modified
daylight to every floor. With a system of
rotating coloured shields around the tubes
special places can be created . There are no
meetings at this moment, so I rotate some
shields and create a beautiful spectrum of
colours. Then it's time to stop playing. I
deliver the drawings to the repro-area , and
return to the east-side.
74 LIGHT '3D-system'
Dorota Le~niak, Marcin Pleti, Norbert Wawro • Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. A. Kadlucka
Îl1 con,,'enti(~~~~~~~l~~~
performances) ;-~;i~~~"~~
exhibitions of
of fair enterprises
WALL PANELS
2,2 2,2
D 2,2 2,2
I I 2,2
75
the space, especially in tlte --' 19 rg~~g to the insidè. The idea of
D1
1,1 1,1 1,1 1,1 1,1
WALL PANELS
76 LIGHT 'function and form'
Las Palmas
Ir-...
The building at the Kop van Zuid typifies
Rotterdam . A no-nonsense build ing in a
î( Îr'"
working city that lives from the water, it .. Î
consists merely of concrete slabs , col umns Hi î i7
and facade elements. Exceptions, like the ... p ~1-
cranes and the roof beam are placed just
where they are functionally needed . The
i! ~ !i
renovation design aims to keep the box intact
Î
seetion . -. ' sectien o.b'
and to use the exceptions in a new way. To
make the building alive and interesting,
provisions for various functions have been
situated within the building : offices,
apartments, shops , a café and a swimming
pool.
Design
~! ~~
!;
bottom of the swimming pool. The pool on the
~ .~
roof shows the strength of the buildirtg . The
offices are located around the large open-air
atrium. They surround a square at the first
floor level and galleries at the higher levels.
The apartments have a separate entrance.
I
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sectlon
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aluminium ones. The sunblinds are fitted 0
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78 LIGHT 'greater X office'
- - _ .
80 LIGHT 'about offices and renovation'
Het werkplaatsengebouw
~-f
This building is situated in the planned office
area in Rotterdam , so its renovation and
reuse requires not only the provision of more l~_ ~- J
. .
office space, but also some public facilities. It
was also considered interesting to provide
hotel rooms associated with the offices.
'[J
•
~
n
1 1
the centre of the building , which, owing to its ~ .~--...
width , is dark. This has been accomplished by L-1 ,.~
Constructional details
TOIlETS
e ·LI~O --
f'AtL..
ALIJMP,JI!}M
.,.(JINDo ...
He'''~'- ~,..o,., . . tt
~NSVL..A""IO N
82 LIGHT 'about renovation'
About renovation
I
ji ~j 1+ ::tJ:·q~ ll±E= -:1+1'1= _ ; :FFi..If!=RI I=!=l:l.::!:t H+Hf Jl -'~
Ilê - -t- -.- -f'.f:r:1:E
I
':=f;'~1-'- p++ ::H~ FR :-1+ c:p=p:
~
I I
third floor
Sun-prisms
ground floor
Green roof
d'accueil) then, by turning 180 degrees, it is butwell-defined , because I think that the
possible to reach the main core. architecture of the building that I am working
on was not supposed to fulfill all the possible
The old central service core has been uses . It was designed to function only as a
replaced by an escalator core enciosed by warehouse and to provide workshops.
glass-block walls: four escalators extend to
the upper level of the building, passing As my project is quite easy, but at the same
through openings drilled in the network of time complex, the only possible way to show ·
concrete slabs and at the same time the intentions and the purposes is via realor
supported by the mushroom-like pillars. computer modeis. However it is also true that
every architectonic project can only be
The curved bridges giving access to new · appreciated in terms of real architecture, (that
types offices; similar to the ones used to is actual construction), so I am looking
create the Lloyds' building in London , permit forward to having my project built .
free use by the public but also ensure that
there is a controlled micro-climate for each
working place. Lecture and meeting rooms ,
the fitness center and all the other public
facilities are situated in the spaces located on
the third floor backing onto to the brise-soleil
facade panels , the latter being used in and
over the atrium spaces .
The glass tubes passing through all the levels
containing the main systems: light (natural
and artificial by use of fiber-optics) , circulation
(circular metallic stairs and elevators), water
(heating and air conditioning , services,
kitchens and a big aquarium used as a
heating reservoir) , fire (directly and freely ~
Program
The offices are situated on the second and
third floors , near the windows and spaces with
by natural light. They are smal! transformabie
boxes with sliding wal!s on rails so that the
people working in them can arrange them as
they like. The offices can be built on a special
pattern so that everybody gets a view and
light. Some other type of offices, such as
cel!s for special work and free landscape
office areas for group use wil! also be
included in the design. The shops are
accessible from the street; they are located
near the openings, while the space in the
middle wil I be used as a market place. The
storage space and the car park will remain in
the basement as they we re before.
Circulation
SITE ~ For the circulation , I am keeping the existing
system, but the original main staircase and
The building was formerly a warehouse for elevator wil! serve the public using the
produets from the port. It wil! be in the centre cafeteria. The office staff can then use the big
of a zone of high-rise buildings. It was more service-elevator. A new staircase wil! . be
important to retain the historie value of this constructed in the direction of the new axis, its
building than its function. For this reason, I position being near the entrance and rest area
think that it is important to keep much of the
original spatial distribution within the building,
such as the entrance, the means of circulation
(elevatorand stairways), and some special
rooms. The public wil! then be able to
appreciate the original function as a part of
the life history of the building.
Concept and functions
Site
new site map shows that only a few direct
views through the tower are possible ... The
direction of the Erasmus Bridge wil! be used
to create an extra floor with the cafeteria and
the children 's area. The space left on the roof,
with a view over the Maas wil! be used to
make a terrace-garden for the cafeteria.
Entrance
I chose to keep the existing entrance because
of the basis my concept and also because it
also works . A wal! coming down from the
cafeteria roof wil! improve the appearance
outside.
89
3'· floor
DETAIL INSULATION
==slidin~a~a"
---:-7"'-.,.;,,-=1=__
double ~i <- office sliding wal! _----,..:c......J : ______~_-
_--second floor
gla~ \ i
~ \~ void tor healing
syslem
~.J . ". ~ second floor \
\
Ó"
I' ,,>
ij "- ---,-,.,-L---,---,- -----,--.IJ<I=- exis ling floor
exiting floor
90 ROUTING 'anderson communications'
Christof Brinkman, Frank Lütke-Vestert, Oliver Saure, Lorenz Tettenborn, Thomas Westerloh • Prof.Dipl. -lng. J . Bolles-Wilson
anderson
communications
342 Park Lane
GB - Preston K7D 3EJ
DearSirs,
Please do make reservations in time so that we can book hotel rooms and
organize transfer from airport or central station. Like last year we are able again to
offer you tickets for a performance at the Luxor Theatre. Please inform us in time if
you are interested.
Anderson communications
Las Palmas
Staircase C12
Wilhelminapier
34 GF 54 Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Parallel 10 the usual aclivilies in Ihe Las Palmas - Building our presentalion as
weil as the satellite communications fair lake place on Ihe third tloor which is open
10 Ihe public.
o 2 3
A
91
staircase interventien
~ 2 rOl 1
supply interventien
~J
lunchbex
public staircase
92 ROUTING 'the anthill'
Las Palmas
.- - -
I
- - --,
•
~~
Within the urban design of Sir Norman Foster
for the Wilhelmina Pier in Rotterdam the Las
Palmas building of Bakema is still the very
autonomous building that it always has been.
It is considered important to keep the building
\. /
in this way, with very little connection to its " ---. -" "- ..........
neighbours. left
up: concept
The facade is actually the only part under a middle: cross-section
down: hor. and vert. section facade
preservatio·n order and effort has to be put
into saving this part. Since the facade is rl9.h1
'inviolate'/'untouchable' it became one of the up: toilet bloek and section of roof column
middle up: roof plan
starting points of the design. This led to an middle down: 2nd floor plan
approach from the inside towards the outside down: ground floor plan
(also a Bakema principle) in which the facade
'inside next to the facade. The panels can be '
had the role of boundary.
opened for natural ventilation (a Bakema
principle) and cleaning. The floor is lifted up tp
Respect for the building leads to the question:
provide space for domestic engineering and in
What is missing (to make a good office)?
order to be able to look outside (another
That question has been the basis of every
Bakema principle).
proposed interference with the original design .
The floor is made of prefabricated elements
An effort has also been made to elaborate
that are self-supporting (folded steel plates,
Bakema's principles.
insulation top floor); the carrying capacity
comes from the insulation.
The anthill
\~
I consisting of glass folded around the
f==
I columns. In this way a transitional state is
\~~
/1 I
I
achieved between the outside and the interior
of the building. (a 8akema principle). The old
gates on the west side are used for shop
~~
windows.
"- Af'
~
~
--
--:;6
I J All the floors have been given light by making
a big opening inside the building. This light
I ~
'hole' is used for the anthill-activities and
vertical transportation, based on walking on
o 0
stairs towards the light.
The people who work in the anthill are given a
I feeling of security by the provision of a roof
0 0 0 o 0 o o 01 _ _ _ _ 0_ __ ~ _
~
I
over their heads. For this the columns have
rr :~.:~
--
lllIll ,__ been kept and they are connected by concrete i
0
~
\ lllIII
--
1S
I
I
I
o
o
beams. The same principle is used in th6
offices by suspended halogen lights.
0
c __ D I The toilet block is coloured red, since that is
UL-----L~---~~ J I
o 0 thecQlour-accent that 8akema used. Also I
--9 o o
Ö-- - 0 --- 0 o 0
putting a red 'box 'in the middle creates a
SO~I~ r~duction.
I
0 0 0
UJlllI)c
0 o o
r
o
I
"' 1-
o 0
o
tc~
ol
_: 0
Flex-units
4 mail-wall
13 board room!
leclure room
0 0 0
<lIIIIILj I 5 mail-room 14 toilet block
,IIIIL) 6 central 15 steel bridge
computer 16 restaurant
°
:~
0 0 0 f-'O'-----"l ° 7 shops 17 kindergarlen
1 l- 8 typing room 18 domestic
o installation box
o
0 0 0 0
o
° 9 coffee-
corner
J
94 ROUTING 'the ramp - the street'
l~'~4"
is a projection of the outside facade, but on
moving to the interior it loses its vertical
lines, so that only the horizontal lines remain.
The same happens on the south west side,
where the wooden partitions are lost in the
inner glass façade, and where only wooden
window frames, stand like boxes. On th is
f 0§
side the partitions cross the pillars.
The materials are used are glass, steel,
aluminium, and wood, as reminders of the
original image of the building, which was
used to produce furniture for boats. The
project is intended to work with stratification,
fragments, collage, and seduction.
95
96 ROUTING 'the column forest - the poetic structure'
Most of the character of the original building derives from the mushroom-shaped columns. The entire redesign .
has been carried out with this structure in mind. This becomes most obvious in the two office floors, where the
columns are used as space creating elements. The wooden deck and the wood en ceiling never touch the
columns, but always embrace them.
The slab between the basement and the first floor is partly opened to create an entrance hall.
- .i~~~l
~
./'....A.A.A n-
A grand cafe and different kind of exhibition halls are located there. ~
-. f5;s
~ \>-
~::<!---
-- ----..:;;
• • • ~ ";' ~ ~
-.- ~
';'
I
~ -~
k.
• • • .- -
': --+---
-.~ - • ·~ 1 ·
/~
:' ." - -,
• • • ~' ~ • • • •
11 _JIJ~
• • • • ;.~.
. "
-- • • •
2~ 6
• • • • •
• • •
It is impossible to insulate the facade directly at the façade panels if you also want to keep the character of the
facade. Therefore it is logical to glue a second skin outside the facade panels. There is much to be gained by
doing this:
- insulation of the facade and the creation of a heat accumulation zone between the glass and the panel.
- protection of the facades from rain, wind and air pollution.
the opportunity to show the people in the street that the facade is something special, important to keep for
VERTICAL WALL SECTION
the future, like an old painting in a museum
97
The offices
The first and the second floors are used for offices. The inner wall structures of the original design are retained
in some places that are now used for kitchens and coffee rooms. The floors are basically divided into two
zones:
i: l~
I" ~
I ';~ 111
I~;~~
/'.
11;1r-=~={::==:=::=~===::è::tfT_
I;
I'
i,
1:1 "w,~
The fitness centre
On the third floor of the building a fitness centre is located . For this function the inner structure of the original
design is kept, since natural light is not an important factor. Here the interplay between the facade cassettes
and the inner wall structure here becomes especially interesting . '~1 " I , - .---"-.
,. -. ---LJ...l~~~
, ,
- Ii !I [I • I •• I
:::, 1I lill
El """,~,..-1-...;.,+;,u.;..~~-l :~
t- .-'" t.'.-::-: ~ :~. / 1
ij j ,. l
~ :.:-.'.:t
t::::
;-:::::. -- .
~ . ::.! t ::-:~
5
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:
it (" I
Hl' Hj t
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~ ·
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.e .• .: ~__ •
'- - :I
,
:"-=.J
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,
98 ROUTING 'Iamination'
~ ..., ,,'
/"
.......,-
0 0 0
0
0 0 0
LJ
lJ
0 0
0 0 0
100 ROUTING 'loop'
I I I I
",
!
~~~
I Î
~ I1
I
I1 IWI
~~~
11 I I I 1I mi
:. : .... -
_.-------_._--_..
L.-J
101
rft'!'.!~?'~-·1IfIII'
,--
t" ~ ~ .
f"-...·-
. -. .~:_~.~II:f.' •
the stFi!t.
_a._
is
past the
space las p~all~m~ais!.!!!!~==.!!!!!
starts
a surface rai
across existi
the swing a
smoothly s
along the
into the building.
inside the glade, the forest of columns, the clift.
the automobil is on the way between space and wrapping
exterior. down to the surface.
the passer-by follows the light.
to the higher horizontal.
devided space behind him, but forward, upward.
almost outside into the garden.
the looks above.
maybe still to the plattform in order to look down.
the other way.
olong the clearing and the cliff.
towards the other end of the space.
an about-turn.
a long space.
slightly falling.
. ·passing the tunnel, undertl:1ehorizontal, sinking
:. _: _.9r.-J~'.~.~~nk-ing. . ~. I • '-,\
'.' ,'"
.'
102 ROUTING 'breaks'
------r-----------
o o ,_
----------------------------
C .. -&--. . '.'
----------~-----.
c·
c o c·
o
o o
I
I;~I
'.'
I',
o o
o o
o ,.)
• •
•
•
•
•
•
•
.- '
---- ---- .-><. -----
----- -----
I~--_----------~·O
•
---- ----. •
• • •
•
• •
• • • • • • • • • • •
• ~ • •
A new core for vertical communication is
proposed in the central part of the building. Office plan
The way of working with the structure is clear.
I understand th at each mushroom shaped • • • • • • • ~
• •
column has a 'vita I ' or controlled space. So
wherever I remove a column I have removed
the 'vital' space that it controlled. In this way I
.• • • • • • • • • I
• I
• •
r----- --,
am providing light in the dark part of the • •
I
I
I
I • • . •
r
I
I
I
I •
~çi,
I I " 1 ~ •• , .
I
building without destroying the character of I i {~ ("
". ,!,
I
I I
p •• • --- -.
I
I I I I
the structure. • I I
• • • I
.. n'r.:Jn". -,.... .....
~t':;.. .# ,
I
•
I I I
L _______ .JI
,.
- -=
ICJ[=:Ji
I !
I
I
I
106 CHANGE OF PROGRAMME 'service building'
hotel on the top floor. The two upper floors .... ... .'
--' . HEiAU'H CENTER.
are strongly related to each other, as they
have been designed to provide offices to rent
I' ~ !.
r ~[l
'1- ..
,SHOPS ~ l.EISURE
I DISf:(I
for people who need an office and a place to
stay in Rotterdam for a limited period of time.
OFFICES HOV5iNG
107
.. -- --
:-:-:-.:~-_ . -
[j
~ s i
C
~
0 :
ç c c
108 CHANGE OF PROGRAMME 'housing and working'
voids
109
I~
working areal
110 CHANGE OF PROGRAMME 'cultural spot'
Irene Bauer, Mareike Babel, Ulrich Kröckel, Victor Vrecko • Prof. J . Reichardt
., ,1
;'; 'J ;'t}
SPIRIT
THE CONCEPT FOR THE STOREROOM
WHICH WAS DESIGNED 8Y 8AKEMA ,
COMPRISES OF CUlTURAl FORUM FOR
All OF THE NATIONES REPRESENTEO IN
ROT TER
SE CULTURES THE
10 THE PU8L1C
STORE
•• &~~"$'.1l.
SITUATION
t\!lf$! '. . . . -w •• tI: .. - .......... _--
111
ORIENTATION
I1 11
: :
: ORIENTATION
PERSPECTIVE
112 CHANGE OF PROGRAMME 'multi media'
-. -. ..-------
. -.----------.---- .
L_,_____________________~________ __,
r-'
o l 0
r--------:=:==::===::==~::==:~~-
0 0 \ 0
\
\~\' 0 o[
~ ,'---
11"' ___ • 0
3 0
\ \ ,-
j • • • • •
\
• J . • • • •
i
1
i 5
• • • • •
· . . . . .
• •
o 0 0
3 level
I 1. media theater
2. stairs ,ramps
3. administration
4. lecture hall
5. museum of
contemporary art
114 CHANGE OF PROGRAMME 'artist's corner'
~ - CONFERENCE MODULE
- APARTMENTS FOR ARTISTS
~ - CAFETERIA
~-FOYER
~-DISCO
_ - STORAGE ROOMS
_ - TECHNICAL INSTALLATIONS
115
T h e d e a
~\
;.,' .
.. '\'..
',",:", '
~
." .ri"
.......
' ~- '"
Within the massive area of the project are th ree independent structures, each for a different function and
with different qualities th at are joined together in trying to solve the problem of the access of light.
The partitions, or the ephemeral elements, also depend on the proposed functions . Closed boxes made
of wood , for the music school, brick partitions for the artists, with some free space in the middle for
exhibitions and gridiron and a metal structure with organic shapes fo r the theatre school.
118 CHANGE OF PROGRAMME 'fishy world'
Mirja Gawlista, Imke Schröcler, Nina Som mer, Carolin Teltenborn • Prof.Dr.-lng. J. Cejka
. ::. .
I • • •~
~o
••••••
. ot]" . .
"0 0
mJ.
'
"
..
•
otl" . . l!ilJ 0 0 ] •
.. "' ..... _O ..... NOCIO
120 CHANGE OF PROGRAMME 'community of houses'
@ mllk-coollng
@ feed manger
CD single st all
@ food storage
® mllklng-statlon
Cf) hanl-dung-preparatlon
® cow-coach
® dung remoual
<D food table
(j) silo
® dr1nklng-statlon
CD concentrated 'eed preperatlon
4!Y hom remoual
@ uetar Inarian
® mllk processing
@ cold-storage depot
® IIqult manure tank
<0 delluery room
(!) Inlemlnatlon station
CD emergency slaughter
@ mllker break room
@ cow washing station
@l mllk homogenlzlng
G
122 SPECIAL USE 'media machine'
Ci.j~
ra
van
the attempt of this
programmatic
ZUID
architecture
breaks aff conventionsO
and is here
required to be organized in a
symbiatic fusion
between old and new.
the strategical theme penetrates
the existing by using the
appearently strange and logical
non-distinct structures.
a reanimation of the aid and a
further developement of
conventional notions
of everyday standards . .
123
C<·j~
van
in their own logic the blobs
conquer ZUID
bakema
independent of farmer
structures, leaving conventional
boundaries
and gaining a new way of free
experi mentation .
this happens
in a manner of asymbolie
co-existence
of old and new.
far the relation of function
and the .sitting on top of the. roof
"electronic revolution"
1 squash
2 comman hall
3 sunken green
.4 gym void
5 roof green
-8 6 dimbingwall
7 pool
8 badminton
=
126 SPECIAL USE 'culture versus offices'
Mlr<\iNiSN<A-nON
CU\]\)\!A\"
CENTEIZ
NUI1.SE.f..y
I
1 tl.lJ
~~--~~~~~--~~U,~~~~~['~-LL::r~~_'
.__.
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I 28 SPECIAL USE 'offices for starters'
added.
129
'mil U ,
'tEE . . .
yCllJ'IG I'I:OI'LE OffICES
2 FLOOR
. , \' . . . , . "
. . . . . ' .
ROOf FLOOI
\ 1 I ~
~
~III
IJl '\,'\:1
,
130 FACADE 'a work of art to preserve'
r--r-------I--/--O'.·-_.~
Lo~"
r-;r·
plants follows a smooth scheme : the
basement and the ground floor are turned into
a public zone made of shops, a grand cafe', fll~- fJ-;-' I~J;-I;'-I~----I;---Fl~-;--:-'
and entertainment places. o Cl 0 0 Cl .!!_~_.~~_9 .... ?..... !"---J0 /0 la 0
. ........... . . . ......... . .
. b-d: --.-----..
ll"r
--- 'l~
The first, the second, and the third floor are
only offices floors, and the top floor is still a
public place, but completely new, because r ,,'~'O
.:- : -:c:"":rtit~
there are neither mushroom columns nor the
": .
[-. _ ._] .
old facade, nor the old roof, and this place is
going to provide a big restaurant, an exhibition
!u.
-.,---
È
space, a conference room.
Giving attention to the plants what is clear ' -~-~--_:-::--. ~
about the new building is the distinction of
three part: old/new/old . .. Hl~:"X.\ . :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~.O
., .... r~~( _ 11:
__ . _ .J_" - --- .
131
The concept of my renovation is based on two My idea is to separate public and more private
main components of the site: its position spa ces . Therefore, I have situated the
between the Rijnhaven and the Nieuwe Maas shopping centre and the entrance hall for the
(from which there are good viewing points) offices on the ground floor. The offices and
and the actual design of the island. The
buildings divide the space into three long
related services are th en connected on three
levels and on the roof, I have placed the
r:--. ': : J.~: ';
1 ': :. .• '. . . ~ -'
parallel lines and the traffic circulation "leisure functions" such as the cafe, and the
between them takes place in two one-way restaurant in a square. In the basement there
streets between the buildings. Therefore, my are parking and storage spa ces .
idea is to create a perpendicular break, to As I want to keep as much as possible of the
open this mass, and to join the two sides of old exterior and the static aspect of the
i the island. building , I will change the facades on the
The position of the two gaps to be thus ground floor and will cut a big opening ~ ~r"'\
111 ç.-;~
1n :::7l r;;ïl r a:=
~ I, Cl i
I
I
.~'\...~-, : ."., I
" '-''''''."'
]~II~II,.~ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ~1 ~1 1 1 1 ~l t t-
created depends on the actual surroundings (atrium) in the middle to admit light (a third ofll
and on the future master plan for the the columns will disappear).
Wilhelmina Pier. On the Nieuwe Maas, there Sylvia Faure . d;é::> ,!. ~
,-, , I ~II ~ r~ .. 1-.,
i!I L.C:J..--l ' lV l!i'...: ..
is a gap between the Maritime Simulator I
.. ... .. .. . . .
I
on the Rijnhaven there wil I be a garden
between two towers. : ~;""" .,~; " :~~~T' 'I~~:' ~.~:; :-~= ~ ~ : :~.:!
:o~
This means that my building will be turned in
a new direction and. will suggest a kind of
promenade going from one river to the other.
_.....
\
~-
"" .. ··ï,
I
~
~ o.~;
/~\~
\\ ~ o - 0-'- --;-"0 -' 0 .. .•
, 0 , ' 0
....
~ .3~
• .1_ : .. 1 ~ ;...
r::;
~
• ___ . ____ ~~~.!~~ !'!~~~ _ _ :.'r:\ ..I--•••-t:: .
o
,
~g~r-lrï.k8'-D-"\--.=\ .1~- \ I. O.l ,~.O .. I L.
o ,,j
!!=lI"'~~""'"
- ,<4~
- -~ _..:J,~,. l-~ •• .,(\. \
\ \\ \
"
IJ, ..........: _ ..... \,0- \.\ ' . GROUNQ PLAN 1 1:200 !
....... -----
~ .
~
133
The Wilhelmina Pier, better known as the Kop This kind of transparency is very literal. It is a
van Zuid, will become a new centre of quality of the material or substance itself.
economic and social activity. Different Inside the Bakema building we added another
functions like housing, working and recreation kind of transparency, which can be seen as
will be integrated and it will be given a more illusionary transparency, an inherent
-+-+-----t---+ I I I 1 I +-
.,. - '" /" I" ' '" t .. '0' IU ,.. , .. , .. , .. 1'. - ...
completely new face, dominated by modern
~tENr quality of the organisation of forms and
high-rise buildings. At the same time the substances. (Col in Rowe, ' The Mathematics
integration of the existing valuable buildings of the Ideal Villa and Other Essays '). Most of
~
....--.--.,.-...,-...J
...... . and the new architectural, spatial and
functional elements in this urban space will be
the concrete structure and the mushroom
columns, which still are of a very high quality,
guaranteed. Where the old and the new are have been retained . We have only created
incorporated identity is very important; the three narrow voids to bring in the sunlight.
existing buildings will contrast with the new None of the columns have been demolished
architecture, old against new. Even though for this 'operation'. The staircases are also
the 'werkplaatsengebouw' for example is not a located in the voids. The ground floor and the
listed building it does have a historical value. roof are public space. The first, second and
Such buildings are reflections of the past, and third floors in between provide office space.
hold memories that should sustained. The plans for the first, second and third floor
are based on the found objects - the
This identity was one of the starting-points of staircases and the elevator - two or th ree
our design. We looked at the building as a voids and four 'boxes' of offices. The plans
'found object' and have tried to use existing are very balanced and have astrong,
elements of the building, such as the harmonising structure. Two elements are
staircases on the outside, the elevator, the important, the offices and the circulation
ramp and the vaulted roof, and incorporate space, which in the plan are of equal value,
them into the new design. From the analysis neither being allowed to dominate the other.
of the building two very clear characteristics The space inside the offices is as important
emerged: firstly the inner structure of the as the space outside these boxes. This is
mushroom-shaped columns, and secondly the what we call 'illusionary' transparency.
facade. Within the functional limitations we
have retained these elements as much as The office block itself consists of wood and
possible. Three of the four facades have been glass walls. So we have created the idea of a
~P.qnIlIl!I!til! "i largely retained, except at the ground floor box within in a box. The offices do not make
level. Here, to give the building a more open
.~ and inviting character, we have removed the
contact with the outside walls, there being a
small corridor between, where people can
""""'01) i facade, while on the east side we have walk from one place to the other. Behind the
created an entirely new facade. There were old facade we created a new 'second skin'
two reasons for doing this. Firstly there is facade. It would be very difficult to insulate
minimal access for light. This is the darkest the original facade, so we have put all the
part of the building and more natural light is insulation on the new facade by using double-
required for the functions in this part of the glazing . Both facades have the same
building. If the old facade is compared with character. They are both very transparent and
the new one, the resemblance is clear. Both refined in detail and each has it own rhythm.
have a rich , elegant, transparent, rhythmical From the outside you can clearly see this new
character, dominated by glass and structural facade and the office 'boxes'. From the
elements. The same transparency is carried outside it is possible to see what is happening
through in the walls of transparent and less inside, there is arelation, some sort of
transparent glass on the ground floor level. dialogue between different spaces.
135
.",,"'",
. JJ I±+ It
"""'" FACADE EAST ' FACADEWEST
136 FACADE 'the slice'
Concept
The atrium
The main entrance of the building is reached
via the atrium, but th ere are also secondary,
smaller entrances from the head ends of the
building which lead to the office area.
In the open space of the atrium are two
staircases placed in the middle, attached to
the gallery and opposite to each other. Two
bridges at the same level connect the galleries
of either side. An elevator is positioned in the
middle of these bridges. There are two extra
ramps that connect the bridges with each
other, one from the first to the second level
and one from the second to the third level.
Their aim is to punch through the facade. The
idea is that it is possible to go outside and
have a view onto the street along the facades .
The floors
On the ground floor one finds the exhibition
hall in the northern part, the children's day-
care centre, the grand cafe with the reading
room and some shops is in the south. There
are also two entrances leading to the
information desks of the office area .
I .~.;: I~·
....-~M.,.....,
l ; =- As mentioned before, there is public space,
" '~ / ' ~/ " including shops, on both sides of the atrium.
tt~t~~F-~T~" f~~~~j~;}~~~~:~~~~~~0~\~~~~~
t j~:p ~~. ~~;e~~~r~:J.~:~F~\;~:don~:::d::: ~:iut:~ can be used as a meeting or lecture room .
The restrooms, copying machines and
possibly a coffee corner are also adjacent to
the atrium .. .
. 11 There is a small deviation on the third floor.
. ::;~!.:!~:~I!gtiijt::~:: .; ~ ~ ~~;; ~:~~f[; ~!;::;:,~ Because two columns are missing a
137
Construction
The facade
M~-T1J§~
produce an 'intelligent' climate circulation .
Possibly sun collectors can be insta lied in the
lanterns to complete the energy saving
system.
138 FACADE 'light ships'
CORE
LIGHT SHIP
:.:1~~:.: "
one building, and to conneet the .., r'" .... 0 " (". 0 n " r " ':
'. '
the plans, opening up towards the
roof-scape.
139
RENOVATION CONCEPT
The concept
Additions
My additions are:
-Some volumes that penetrate the floors.
They comprise two staircases, positioned to VçLvHE.~ T+\~<J3i..\ · TI··\E
provide some linear visual links with the
existing ones, and six thinner volumes for the
ffi?\XlUQE AI'1t:> 'tHE 11$<F\r,:}
toilets.
-A roof made as a floating heavy slab with
some openings that provide light to the fourth
floor. The structure that stands under the roof'
is made of thin pillars creating a different
pattern from that of the mushroom pillars ..
Under this slab the oval volume of the 'grand
cafe' stands as an isolated object. The rest of
the fourth floor is a free space with some
workstations on wheels made as cubic boxes .
. -On the first, second and third floors I solved
the problem of the division of the space within
the offices without walls by adding some
"islands" and openings in the floors.
A panel of soft material on the ceiling can
absorb the noise that is free to spread .
141
The facade
-',
"
"*
I
- -11:r~~~1i"T'V'V'V"'<7V
-I m~lUllmo22
142 FACADE 'a box for people'
I
the structure, which gives flexibility,
functionality and freedom in horizontal space,
and the skin that is a "slave" of the functions
inside the building and that provides the
image of the building in the city of Rotterdam .
playground. 5!
On the roof a 'grand-cafe' is placed to take
o~ o 0
axonometry
. ;.:
I'
Politics:
oufside:
to keep the same
envelop and the
same volume.
inside:
to have a great amount
of different spa ces
inside this prismatic
envelop.
*to have continuity and
diversity in the ,
o
officescape. o i0 o o
creating numerous
and different
workplaces
connected to each
others in many
ways .
the inter play of ramps,
lifts, slabs, and
staircases creates
the same continuity
in the vertical
direction .
Facade elements:
the choice of an outside
wood/glass facade
solves many
technical problems
such as thermal
bridges, insulation,
and opening
windows .
The wooden slats hide
the concrete slabs.
Behind the double -
glazing you can
easily envisage the
old façade. The
whole system
emphasises the lf
horizontal direction
of the former
facade.
145
'R eferences
--- - - --- r f"lrF -.. __._... _.-
I r i
Bakema(1914-1981 )
La tourette
Continuity
cocoon offices
~ U~ :
Roof
green garden
.- ~.' -.
SAMO double glazing
22
beeldend functionalisme .-
IJ i'fl:
.-:
Rotterdam expansion
MVRDV Concrete
slabwood slat Patio vs
Loggia
Brutality vs respect
Jus de Pomme
Domino House Free
plan man
mushroom column
massive structure
\
I t I I
\
Malevitch cross
HAL Hotel N.Y. Twan
Van de Broek( 1898-
-------l~IH T
,~
1978) public facilities >J
Stairs+Ramps+Lifts
Arto Lindsay
Hole+light+Roof
water/air tighness
computer screen
meeting rooms to
rest/to work
to seeklto find
tribute or death to
corridors
never the same
wilhelmina pier no
ships water+air+wind
,_' C .; , - \......
_
,) -
0
restaurant
\':>"-':: !~ o /'\.~,J
'\.-. </
inside/outside o 0 o .-
~ 0 0 o Vo r: 0
., ,-,
,)
ceiling/floor ,
-
,;
/fQ
Het werkgebouw
postwar to 90s " ... ,
, "
ra' ("
~
c (\
n
'-'
:;
Le corbusier v
,.'... ~
... ~
C
0
0 0
oC
0
0
0
~o
0
0
arch itectu re ~Î
~
%;:1
~
~' ---L .....
Basel Herzog&de 0 0 0 ~~ 0
// 0
§l ~
Meuron E3 , ., .---I~
never ending spaces 0 0 0 0 0 0
bart simpson morton
feldman blonde
redhead 0 0 0 0 0 o
de stijl amsterdam
schools corner
moebius stuff
watermills
146 FACADE 'screening'
ffi
copy deportment
officefloor o 0
b c
with the new columns of the square-screen restaurant
rF
tt
,
~I
I'-'- !
I a: ' h- '
h U.~LL
I
~ I t:'t IU
f-L
I tï\1t'
~ N
~
147
-fffi
L
1
B q
Q (
x J
n
:=.J I
I
I I \
I 111
c ~ R
148 FACADE 'a screen print facade'
,'0"'-'_/.\ " -
architecture. ", " " ," .. , --\ \/1\. ,\ .\ /I
"',, ,\I,
The question of what was deserving of " "" .. . /' I /'
., ' ". " I .,,-\\
'eternal life' in this building, associated with \ , ',
::~ , .. , ,I\/,
the need to find a role and field of operation ::: ' ' ; ,
for the architect led to the decision of remove
\I',
",:"
.
. • '
': '
\..
\
/ "/"
" , ;\ " \
//
New facades
... _--
,~, .
external skin
internal skin
First floor
150 FACADE 'flexibility as a device'
The site
The building
Office floor
T
types of façade, therl11ally insulated, transparent win·
he aluminiumjglass façade is a building enve· dows are incorporated. In tlle case of tlle cold façade,
lope detaclled from tlle supporting structure. the interior shell is insulated at the exterior side, and
1 ···
The façade functions like an interface beo an aesthetic panel construction, the ·rain shield', is in·
11 .
~r-------,i
tween the interior and tlle exterior. According to sta lied at shell distance. The air space is ventilated by
Eekhout [3.1]. an alurniniumjglass façade is a 'type of ambient air. In the case of warm façades, the non-
façade, tlle exterior sllell of which may run over several transparent components are finished with a closed
storeys and may be composed of relatively lightweight shell of thermally insulated sandwich panels installed
conslruction elements with integrated windows as weil at shell distance: the sllell is 'warm'. For false alumin i-
Until 1973: Cur/ain wall wW) single
climElte separatioll.
as spandrel elements'. A more comprellensive defini· umj glass façades, the interior shell I11USt be airtight.
tion is given in Cilapter 1. Since tlle aluminiumjglass False aluminiumjglass façades can easily be erected
façade is fastened around the building like a skin, it is due to the various possibilities of anc110ring to tlle inte-
also ca lied curtain wal I. The façades can be grouped rior shel l.
as follows: Alul11iniumjglass façades are not only used in new
• up to 1973, curtain wall with single climate separa· construction work. Presently, false aluminiumjglass
tlon; façades are used on a larger scale for the 'ove r-
• up to 1995, curtain wall with lherrnally insu lateel cli· cladding' of existing façades. TIlUS, the technical level
l11ate separation; anel tlle outward appearance of existing buildings are
• as of 1995, alul11iniumjglass façade witll climate· upgraded. One disadvantage migllt be a loss of charac-
anticipating interface. (Fig. 3.1) teristic design, structure, nnd texture of the façade.
Untif 1995: Curtain wAl! witll tllermallj The aluminiumjglass façades are divided into true Tlle first curtain wa ll systems consisted of steel
insulated climate separaliOI1.
and false façades. (Fig. 3.2) Tlle true aluminiumjglass stick system constructions. 'The form of the façade
facade, also ca lied complete aluminiumjglass façade, Ilas been defined by a grid of rectangularly crossing
. - U,· .- encloses tlle building lil\e a s l\in or membrane. Tllis lines; it received its form by t lle profile system Wllicll
,r-
type of façade can be defined, frol11 a construction was often combined with a vertical accent or even an
·point of view, as self·supporting. as tlle forces actlilg accentuation of tlle constructive design of the building
on it are transferred to tlle columns or floor slabs via skeleton. Tlle surface-filling elel11ents of tlle tirst cur·
the façade l11ullions. [3.3] In tlle case of false alumini- tain willis consisted of glass or metal panels. Anotller
ul11jglass filçades. anc110ring is possible at several curtain wall system, also used at tllat time, was based
pOints due to the single façade shell located at the on storey-high metal sheet elements into Wllich tlle
I)acl\. Tllis facade receives its required strengtil and transparent sub·components were integrated.' (Fig.
rigidity l11ainly from the internal building structure. False 3.3) Since the fifties, curtain wall façades mainly con-
Alu/JIlrI/Ufll/glêlss laçöde.
L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ______ alul11iniumjglass façades can I)e suMivided into mu lt i- sist of steel and aluminium for the structural parts. sin-
3.1
153
, -- - - - - -- --_._- - --
3.3 Profile griri with vertical flc centUi'l tion. StotCy- llIgh pond cOl11poncnts IVI Ul bUlI/ -1 1! 3.5 Co/rf façade (v/l IJ profiled panel
lransparen/ glé/zlI1g. cladcJmg mdde of alU/11If/ JUIII .
RUydl Llvlary. Tlle Hague.
Architect.' 00 .205. Delft
---------------------~
gle glazing for transparency, and insulated panels witll tllis will be followed by tlle systeillatology of the differ-
varying exterior finishings (among others, aluminium ent types of façade witll respect to functional requrre-
sheets, painted glass) for tlle non-transparent sur- ments. Also, tlle composition of tlle aluminiullljglass
faces. As of 1973, the development from single to dou- façade of material elements will be discussed. Finally,
ble glazing applicatians could no langer be reversed. tlle demands made by mechanics, structural pllysics,
During the eighties, it was fashionable ta execute the use, tectonrcs, and environment sllall be discussed.
closed and open parts of tlle façade in sun-reflective For the aluminiumjglass facade, the clloice of tlle
glazing. (Fig. 3.4) TIlUS, the characteristic reflective systelll is strongly determined in the des rgn phase by
buildings ca me into being, in Wllicll, from tlle exterior, tlle type of building and the façade appearance de-
na difference between the transparent and the non- sired. Also the means and possibilitres for tlle ll1anu-
transpare nt glass panels can be noted. Lately, same facture and erection of tlle façacJe play an rmportant Trut! alumifJ/W/1 laç'a(/e
changes did take pi ace in this area. Within the group of role. In a second design pIlase, tlle abstract concept is
true aluminiumjglass façades, glass is still used, 110W- transformed into concrete form (l11aterralrzatron ).
ever, the Ilard anel irnpersonal reflective façades made Besides tlle clloice of material , type of construction,
of sun-reflective glazing are no langer fashionable Witll and system, the design is furtller developed up to tll e
architects anel are less tolerated. e.g., by the Dutcll princrples of construction details and assembly as weil
'Committees for the assessillent of construction pro- as installation. Finally, the specifrcatron will contain Ll
jects with respect to aestlletic guidelines·. Alternatives fully described anel detailed façade system on Wil reil
are. among others, non-colourecJ glazing elements Witll tlle tender will be based.
transparent coatings, natural stones, aluminium pan- For the aluminrum/glass façades presently of-
els, and screen-print glass qualities (painted glass). fered, two essentially clrfterent systems can be distrn-
(Fig. 3.5) Natural stones and ceramic tiles are increas- guislled: trade systems and project systems . Com- FFJlse alullliniull1 -glass façi1de " co/d s/l ell .
ingly applied for false aluminiumjglass façades. (Fig. pa nies offering systeills develop. manufacture. anel
3.6) [3.31 supply standard-type system profiles to companies
specia lizing in façade construction Wllicll take over tlle
THE SYSTEMATOLOGY OF production and installation of the façade. A trade sys-
tem cOll1prises the engineering and the complete range
LIGHT FAÇADES
A
of system profiles developed, assembly and installa
ccording to van Dale (1984), a system is 'the ti on of components. joints, and accessories. Tile type
entirety of organizing principles'. [3.41 Tlle or- of surface filling and the surface treatment are defined
ganizing principles are decisrve for a discus- by the project arcllitects. Current trade systems can be
sion of the systematology of aluminiullljglass façades. supplied ex stock by the companres offering such sys-
We want to start with a general typology according to tems.
Fa/se alummiuI/I-gla:3s façade: war/l/ stlell.
the cOlllposition of tlle façades and the ir execution; Project systems are specially eleveloped per pro-
3.2
FACADE SYSTEMS
_~L-l-, '1 .I
I
tlSS!mJ~ m
;" n i,
~-~
-F==F
_. _ J J _"
I/Uilt Vll'W
'
L J.
'L . L I ' L "I
DWI>-i~
J ---.J
i~ ~~... ,
r,"-n,'i ';~ 1
L : __LJ _ .ij
front view verticalsection
IJ
honzontal sectlon
-.r::1
i
3.6 Cold fa(,.ï:u}t-' cUfllpu::;eu o/l;eri;lII11C
lifAS. HAa~se Poort. T/le I-Iague.
4rcilltect Ro/) Ligrvoet. Kraaljvanger
UTI)/s
Ject by tlle companies specializing in and qualified for part can be closed in clockwise direction, in tlle con
façade construction. A project system is based on a trary - anti-clockwise - it is defined as leftclosing. (Fig.
number of principles related witll structural physics, 3.11)
outward appearance, composition, and installation. up A number of types can be distinguished:
to tlle incorporation of hardware for doors and win- • There are four basic princlples to open a WIndow:
dows. Witllin tllese principles, variations are possible, Turnlilg and sliding in Ilorizontal direction, vertical tilt-
mainly in width or depth and shape of the profiles ing. and horizontal or vertlcal opening. There are a
Project systems can also be developed on the baSIS of number of combinatlans in acldltion to tllese types.
trade systems. • Windows can be opened towards tlle interior or ta-
A system specially designed for a project is tailor- wards tlle exterior. A vertieal pivot casement window
made, Obviously, such a system can fulfill nearly all can be opened towards tlle interior as weil as towards
wishes. lts character is aften very innovative, e.g. with the exterior.
respect to design, properties related to structual • Tile window and tlle surrounding frame may be in·
plwsics, integrated installation, use of material, fasten- serted elther visibly or invisi lJly from the outside.
ing, panel anc haring, or assembly. It must be noted • Glazing and spandrel elements can be put from lIle
here that extra time is required for the concept and pro- inside or from the outside.
duction wllen such systems are developed. Care sys- Drawings of tlle sense of rotatlOn of Windows are
tems and also new tracle systems aften derive from tai- always made In tlle outslCle proJeclion. TIlase lurning
lor-made systems. outward are drawn with full lines. wllil the point inuicat-
ing the closing side. dotted lines are used for parts
Elements Filling the Openings An opening in turni ng inward.
the building envelope can be closed by windows, insert- As indieated, an inserted façade is a façade com·
ed façades, or by curtain walls. A small opening in a ponent inserted between the floors and supports or
massive façade (windowopening) can be closed by a walls of a building. An inserted façade IS storey-hlgll. It
is composed of several glass surfaces into WlllCll often InV/ard operllng. closlng on (he IeM..
window. A horizontal (Fig. 3.7) or a vertical (Fig. 3.8)
combination of windows is also called window band. If one or more moving parts (windows, doors) are incor·
tlle façade is constructed between tlle floors and walls porated. Vertical profil es are called mullions, horizontal 3.11 Wllen mdica tmg the opening
c.ilreCUOfl, prujl'cllufI (rolJl Ule outs/de
or supports, this is referred to as an inserted façade. profiles are called transoms, (Fig. 3.14) A horizontal is tal,en as a basis.
(Fig. 3.9) When tlle façade as a whole is completely window bami is located in tlle space IJetween tl18
ancl continuously erected in front of lIle supporting floors. usually running in front of the supports or walis.
structure, this is referrecl to as a curtain wall. (Fig. anel horizontally constitutes a strung glazed window
3.10) opening. (Fig. 3.7) A vertical window band l11ay Ilave
Tile sense of rotation of tlle windows (and doors) - varying widtllS witllin a façade. It is located between
viewed from above - is called rigllt-closing if the moving tlle supports or walls and runs in front of tlle floor
156 FACADE SYSTEMS
··· "-1_ _- _
-1,.
. . . .:
·1· '.. Aesthetic
'raincoat ' -
train stlielclJ
Tréll1sparent
element
(windOI.\' I
- - " .vl
.. __ .. l.. __ _ ...
front view verl lcal seclion 110111Onli'11 sec1ion
slabs. (Fig. 3.8) Usually, vertical break-tllrouglls of tlle • Tile façade can easily be replace cl, sectionlilgs of tlle
floor slabs are outlined: open surfaces, elevators, building can be cllanged;
staircases. An alurninium/glass façade is tlle ligllt- • the façade is of light weigilt;
weigilt. self-supporting, clirnate-regulating and separat- • environmental aspects can be tahen into account by
ing construction fixed to tlle supporting structure of the an appropriate selection of material and an appropriate
building CIS the building envelope. The alulll iniulll/ glass composition of the structure;
façade norlllally is located in front of the floor and of • possibi lities are good for construction in panels;
tlle supports or walls. (Fig. 3.10) • the façade is relatively inexpensive;
• it can be adapted to tlle projected life time of the de-
(iJ
\ CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING 1'0 sign.
(~
Disadvantages ilre:
'21 TIIE COMPOSITION OF FAÇADES
• There are less possibilities for ilccullluiation of the
W
(( :il
Q 3) Ilen dividing alul11iniul11/glass façades ac- façade (whicll l11ay also be an advantage, naillely in the
I.~ cording to their composltion, we distin- case of actively regulating façade constructions: the
guish between true and false façades. façade illllllediately responds to tlle signals of function-
The latter will be furtller subdivided in anotller para- al adjustment);
3.15 True i:llulllluillllJ/glass raCde/e, IV/UC Bw/äing. MUllicll. 3 ..l7 War/)) (dCc/cic; to lilt: lell. lilt' vU/IU IIJg fl iJm t;' of
Arc/l/teets: Ivlurph)'/ Jalm. C/licago 1/1e eXpäl!SIQf! uw/rl/flg . Ce l1 le rnO lll f . .4 m sfer(ia rn
l'rr.I Jitec ts : Wilt ;m r( Van Weil ;\(cfll fec (s
(windows). Two types of the false aluminium/glass This is ll1ainly effeetive at the corners of tlle building
façade can be distinguislled: tlle cold and tlle warm and at tlle lower and upper sldes of tlle air space,
façade. since undesired all' currents and, consequently, differ-
ences in air pressure in tlllS space are avoided. At tlle
The Cold Façade It worhs lihe an aesthetlc rain same time, a reduction of tlle wind loael on exterior
coat and, together with tlle interior shell, forms an air sllell elements can IJe achleved at tlle corners ol tlle "
space ventilateel IJy ambient air. (Fig. 3.18) TtliS space builcilng and at the roof edges.
also contains outer air. The façade Il1sulation IS localed In the case of the cold façade , waler allCl willel
at the exte rior sicJe of 1I1e interior she ll. TlllS type is of- tlglltness are acllievecl in tl1e following sequence: for
ten used in front of a bui lding wlth load-bearing façade tlle cold exterior sl1ell, tl1e ralll water pmtection is con-
panels or a concrete wall shell. Tile ope nings in the in- trolled, tlle air tiglltness is acllleved by tl1e interior sl1ell
terior sllell are sealecJ with a thermally insulated win- being of airtight construction. Tl1e window elements,
dow in a window frame. Tlle interior shell is insulated, wlliell are nearly always installed elming tlle pil ase of
and tlle entire construction is completed witll a weatll- comp letion, must be anehoreel to tlle intenor sllell in an
er-proof, non-illsulated exterior sllell Wllicll is anc110red air- and watertigllt Illanner. (Fig. 3.22)
to tlle interior sllell at shell dlstance. The panels of the Tlle bUilt-in window is a tllenllally insulateel lacacle
exterior sllell can be insta lied wit110pen JOIllt. (Fig. element. Wllen IJeing connecteel to tlle colel exterior
3.19) shell, tlle Insulateel willdow IS also ll1ermally Illsulatecl
The aesthetic raincoat's function is to protect the all around. Thls transition from colcllo warm is a clisael-
internal insulalion matenal agalnst wetness (rain vantage of th is façade system. It nwl\es it more diffi-
shie ld) and to create tlle desired outward appearance cult to build with caillponents. Far tlle project of Delftse 3.19 ilssemv/y of gramte façade
c/dULiing lV IU lo pen JO/li l.
of tlle building by cladding tlle bach wal!. The rain pro- Poort, Rotterdam , is was tllerefore decided to use non-
tection is based on the principle of pressure equaliza- insulated window profiles anyway. By sealing tllese
tion, Due to tl1e openings in the exterior shell, tlle air transparent componcnts with insulation l11atena!. a suf
pressure in tlle air space is (nearly) equal to the exteri- ticient thermal insulatlon value could be acllleved . By
or air pressure. Due to tlle pressure equalization withln implementing tllese measures, bUilding IJy components
tlle air space, tlle preclpitatlon does not move In hOf!- was really possible, Wlllch was also necessary rlue to
zonta l direction. By proclucing the interior shell In an alr- tlle volume of tlle project a nel tlle required speerlof
tight manner, the passage of water to tlle insulation IJulleling.
Illaterial is avoidecl. (Fig. 3.20) At the same time, tlle
water vapour, diffuslng from tlle interior to tlle exterior The Warm Façade A warm pre-set f"çade has il
within tlle air space, is carriecl away. (Fig. 3.2 1 ) warm shell closed against tlle outside air. (Fig. 3.23)
The functionality of tlle air space can be improved Tl1e spandrel panels contain tllC façade insulation and
by compartmentation and thus be better controlled. are installed, togetller with tlle transparent COlllpO-
158 FACADE SYSTEMS
Warm
air space -------i'v-'
Ir <iJ1spi-tlC;fll
e lCllle llt
(wil illo w ) - ----jl
In sulateel
panels - - - - - - - 1 ( 1
Wdl e r ,md
Clir lJön ier _ _ _ _....J
3.20 A/rtig/1t execution ot l/Je interiOI 3.22 Water- ana 81rtiglll connecLÎon of 3. 23 Warm façade: water· allo äirligll t area.
s /lell of a r.old façAde. IVil1do\\' panels WWl tlle building
frame (interior she/J).
nents, to the load-bearing building structure at shell of sun controlling equipment. Tllis space is connected
distance. Tlle profiles used must be equ ipped witll a witll tlle air circulation. During winter time, the ileat
tllermal isolator. One advantage, cam pa red to tlle cold evacuated from tile room air provides an artificial in-
sllell façade, is tllat tll is type of composition is mucll crease of the temperature of tlle interior sl1ell, wh ich is
more suitable for building by means of panels and su- very comfortabie. Most of tlle clirnate façades are
per·panels (building of larger units). Tilis is a complete equipped in SUCll a way tllat convected solar energy
façade in front of a (normally) load·bearing façade. can be re·used. Tl1e air, heated by tlle sun witllin the air
Disadvantages are: Iligller building casts (compared space, is evacuated and led through a Ileat excllanger,
witll tlle true aluminiurn-glass façade) and less possibil- by which part of the interior heat evacualed can be re-
ities of Clloosing material for the non-transparent parts covered. During summer time, it is possible to collect
3.24 Climate façade.
(cornpared witil the cold façade made of aluminiurn). tll e sol ar energy and to evacuate it, til US leading 10 re-
Furtherrnme, the accessibility in case of water or air duced cooling needs within tlle building. An important
leakage is rnucll lower, and tile systern is tile least flex- and characteristic feature of the climate façade is the
ible for replacement or adjustment of tile façade. Water fact tllat no air conditioning equipment is required. One
and wind tightness are dealt witll in tlle exterior shell. advantage of tllis system is largel' usabie space witllin
Also, for tllis type of construction, tlle interior sM11 tlle building. Since tilere is no drop in teillperature, a
{ rnust be as airtight as possible in order to avoid a leak- comfortable room climate is created , even near tlle
age of hurnid interior air into t/le air space: tllis leads la façade. A second advantage is tlle fact tllat tlle sun-
loss of heat and brings alJout tlle danger of formation controlling equipment is independent of lhe wind laad
of condensation water witllill tlle shell. The winrJow ele- and can, thus, be used independent of the he igil t of
rnents must be fastened airtigllt to tlle interior sllell tlle building. With respect to sun protection installa·
3.25 Climille (iJCwJe and must be connected witll the non-transparent com- tions, this type of façade needs less l1laintenance. On
(sandwich-type o f
cons rructioll ,! .
ponents in a water- and wind-tigilt mannel'. tlle other hand, cleaning work is more difficult tllan tllat
of tlle single·sheet façade due to the separated inside
The Climate Façade Tile climate facade, as it and outside panes witl1 the air space in between. If the
118S IJeen Imown since tlle seventies, deviates from Hle room air is led away over the complete façade, one
types of façades described alJove: il is composed of an speaks of a ellmate façade (Figs. 3.24 and 3.25) , if
air space and of an rnsulaled exlerior glass slle ll as lhe arr is evacuated tllrough the window, of a climate
weil as of a non-insulalecl interior glass pa ne . A climate window. (Fig. 3.26) [3.7] In case of a combination of
facad e is composed of a regular exterior facade witll IlOtil, alle speal(s of a climate window band.
transparent doulJle sheet elements witiloUt opening A clil1late façMe is preferé!ble to a climate window.
parts and of a separate interim pa ne made of transpar- In case of a clilllate façade. tlle spandre l is included in
ent single glass. TIlere is a wide space between tlle ex- tlle system and is also heated by the room air. Tile radi-
3. 26 C/imö le Wlm/V L-\ ', terior aml tlle interim sllel l suitable for tlle installation ation teillperature is approxilllated to tlle interior air
159
temperature. Often, a filter is built in in order to collect the air space. Under the aspect of an effectlve ligllt
the dust from the ventilatioll. contral, light adjustillent. and heat recovery, an auto-
The covering of the air space must be connected Illatlc control, posslbly allowing individual acij ustillent,
airtigllt Witll the exterior frame. In order to have a cam· is preferabie.
fortdble feeling regarding daylight, a light coloLir IS re- The clilllate façades allow a lower solar energy
quired on the coverings. The clepth of tlle air space is transmission (SET) factor. Depending on the sun pro-
nonnally between 60 dnd 200 mm. The interior glass tection anel flow rate, values of approx. 0.11 la 0.23
pane Illay IJe Illade of frailleless toughened glass or can be achievecl. Tile sun radiation is IJest controlled
Illay be put into a complete window. [3.7J It IllUSt be re- by louvers of light colour. A clilllate façade with sun pro-
Illovable, slidable, or turnable for cleaning of the interi- tection device witllin tlle air space Illay, tllroUgh perfor-
or pane, of tlle sun protection installation, and of tlle Illance, compete with lIle exterior shading devices and
surface of the exterior and interior glazing. Tlle sliding has the additional advantage of being independent of
glass panes are the simplest way of fulfilling this re- tl,e wind. Without shading device, the SET factor
qUirement. Tile air space gets dirty by the air clrcula- amoLrnts to approx 0.5 (for cOlllparison: SET of trans-
tions. parent IIlsulating glass = approx. 0.7).
The ventilat ion of a clllllate façade Illdy correspond The maintenance casts of clilllate façades may be
to th at of a regular façacle. Althougil a variabie flow rate lower tllan those of regular façades. This is Illainly due
contral in cl imate façades Illay be very interesting (Iow to tlle lower energy casts and tlle reduced Illainte-
air evacuation witllout sun, Iligll air evacuation witll nance reqUired far tlle SUil protection. The cleaning of
sun), such a contra I is se ldom used. Due to practical bath tl,e sllell sides of tlle interior and exteriar glass
anel fillancial reasons, the decision is aften Illade in panes, however, is a cost-increasing factor.
favour of a constant flow rate systeill. Since tlle Illateri-
al's teillperature of tl,C interior shell deviates on ly in- Second.Skin Façade Relative ly new are tlle sec-
significantly frolll tlle room air teillperature, a high ther- ond-skin façades. (Fig. 327) Tilese façades Ilave been
Illal cOlllfort is acllieved by llleallS of a clilllate façade. constructecl for the use and control of the Inciclent sa-
n,e equ ivalent U value amoLlilts to IJetween 0.6 and lar energy (sun heat. sunligllt, ancl elayligllt) ancl for tlle
1.35 W/1ll 2 K. [3.7J A clilllate façade Witll a ventllated natural ventilation of the interior rOOI11S. Principally,
spanclrel must IJe praviclecl with an insulation Idyer at transparent glaling IS used, and windows t!lat can Ile
the Interior side of tlle exte nor shell in orcier to avoid opened are integrated into the interior façade. Sa far.
built-up Ileat prab lems. tllere is no apprapriate term available in Dutcll for tllis
The sun protection devices within the air space type of façade. We clailll to introduce a new denolllina-
Illay consist of Ilorizontal or vertical louvers or of a hori- ti on system in tlllS booll (see also tlle diagralll at tlle
zontal venetian blind. Vertical louvcrs Illay, under cer- beginning of this Cilapter).
tain circumstances. move due to the air circulating in Second·skin façades consist of an interror con-
160 FACADE SYSTEMS
fiJiings, such as spandrel elements and fixed or open- façades and with the ladder-type façades. The prefabri-
ing windows. Tl1e ladders are fastened to tl1e building, cated panels require a 111g11er degree of dlmensional
dimensioned and anc110red. A space of the size of a tolerances of the bUilding frame than tlle stick-syste111
transom is reserved between two instalied ladders. construction. Thls may aJlow for a less narrow transi-
The missing transorns and the surface filling eiernents tion zone between tlle prefalJricated façade elements
are inserted later. Thus, tilere is no mullion dupllcation. and the building frame into whicll these elements are
This tecl1nique aJlows a larger nurnber of asselTllJly inserted.
hours to be perforrned in tl1e fac tory and less at the Due to the largely industrral manufacturing of
builcling site. The ladder construct ion teclmique is also façade elements, a better quality control is possible,
used for glass roofs, with the ladders having a perfectly and advanced tecllniques can be used for the façade
integrated, internal water drainage syste111. works and for the functional perfor111ance. Panellzation 3.32 A InstallRt/On of façade panels.
transol11s, in order to secure a collerent outside ap- file 'ma le-and-Ie11lale' type as IS in panelization.
pearance: the wldtl1 of tlle l11ullions and transoms is
crucial for butt connections. Consequently, the façade
profiles are less slim than is tl1e case with stick system
162 FACADE SYSTEMS
Main supporting stwcture made of sleel and in a panel type of construction. 3.36 Flll1ctions of the indlvidual profile zones.
10 Fleer Streel, Londoll.
AfcIJitecls: Adria/l Smitl1/S0M
sections are required on project level, tlle engineering struction cOl11panies. Within the stanclardized program
elepartillents develop SUCl1 customized sections. Tllese Illostly cl1anges in tl1e profi le sl18pe can be macle Wl1icl1
sections, too, 11ave to function like a system: it is de- are produced and delivered as profile systel11s on a
fined as project systeill. Tl1e cxtruding cOlllpany re- project basis. In tl1is case, tl1e delivery til11e is exten(l~
ceives tl1e section geol11etry to l11anufacture tlle dies ed by tlle time requrred for l11anufacture of tl1e dies ilnel
for exlrusion of tl1e alul11iniul11 sections (and, possibly for extrusion of tl1e special profiles. Usually, the series
provicje tllem with a therl11al Isolator). In Europe, tilere deviilting frol11 the stanclard range are not included in
are only a few façade ll1anufacturers carrying out tl1e tl1e regular program as trade systel11; tl1e speCial pro ~
extrusion process on tlle" own. However, in the USA files are depreciflled on IJrOject level, anel tl1e design
and 111 Japan, tlle biggel' façacJe Illanufacturers l11al~e rights are restricted to tl1e project. if notlling else 11as
use of tl1eir own extruding presses. A few façade manu- IJeen agreed upon.
facturers, llowever. perforl11 tlle cOl11position of lhe A core system 118S strictly defined prillciples of
163
Glas!> façéi(jf;! construc.:!Îon: Single glass Idçade Dnd spatial glazed roof wltll Image glass uml>rella. office bUl/cf/ng. IVf/Areten
rransition climare. Dutcll Mmistry for Resldential Building. Planmng. Bull
Environment. Tlle Hague.
Arcllitect: Ja/J Hoogstau
construction and execution for tlle technical and func- frequently. the system manutacturers. as a rule, will
tional performances to be supplied . Among otller fea· adopt it by develaping. manufacturrng. and marketing
tu res. t11ese include water- and windtigl1tness and ther- standard solutlons.
'~
mal insulation, but also frames for door and window A core system . in mosl cases. is t11e extensian of
11ardware and the insertion of rubber profiles. How to a standardlzed system: tl1e technico-functional zone
put these principles into concrete shape depends on (the core) of the standardized system is maintained.
i I
the IIldividual procluct. By working according to these but tl1e design deviates in the secondary and tertiary
i;·l'"--'
_:i
principles for the primary functional zone, many varia- zone. Façade manufacturers. designing and developing : !
tions in shape and outsicle appearance of the sections façade systems by themselves, are able to create their : [
StanLiard system i :
are possible (on lhe secondary and tertiary zone). As own standard system as proJect-independent co re
regards tl1e accessories, standardized parts are used sytem . based on certain principles and certain types of
to tlle greatest extent possible. Tilese include, e.g., façades. (Fig. 3.38)
isolators, corner and T-connectors, rubber framings,
Ilardware. 'and ancl10r boots. Form and Staties Metal proflies for aluminium/
A system specially designed for a project is cus- glass façades must transfer a number of loads to tlle
tomized. In designing a project system. a long time for building frame: tlle load of tl1e dead weigilt and tl1e
design and development, the quantity of different sec- weight of tl1e surface fillings, tl1e wind load on tl1e
tions. and the minimum order quantily for aluminium façade, and eventually loads occurring only in intervals
(often from 250 to 500 kgs per extrusion) 11ave to be (througil window cleaning worl\s, snow on roofs and
taken into account. Extrusion dies are relatively cl1eap canopies). Mullions and transoms are mainly loadeel IJy
Core systcm
(about US$ 775 to 2.600), llowever, after tl1eir use the wind (vertical direction of force on tl1e building) and
tl1ey are stored only for lilnited periods af time. Tilis as- by the weight of tl1e façade (vertical direction of force).
pect IllUSt be considered in connection witl1 possible Transoills are loaded IJY the deal1 weight, the weigilt of
future requirements (expansion and damages, among tl1e panels and of the glazlng panels as weil as by wind.
otI1ers). (Fig. 3.39)
Existing systems and salutions are often unsatis- For panels wlth interrnediate transoms, intermedi-
factory for new façade concepts which 11ave ta meet ate mullions, anel surface fillings. tlle load must be de-
special requi rements. Then. a completely new façade terillined per mullion and transom. In case of wind
system has to be developed. mostly for a special or pressure and suction movements of tlle Wind. tlle sur·
large-size project. If such a project system is success- face fillings are 11eld by tl1e sections (c lamping beacls.
fui. the façade system can be transformed into a stan- glazing beads at t11e interror or exterior. hooks. adl1e- Tailor-made system
dardizecl syslem. In sucll case, a tllird party mayalso sive agents, nuts or bolts). Above all, tl1e wind suction
design and develop solutions derived from the project is an important aspect for cl1elllical fixing techlllques
system. As soon as a new façade design is used more (Sealed and glued glazing panels). 3.38 PrairIe sysle/lJcJlology.
164 FACADE SVSTEMS
For the fastening of tlle façade panels it must be tems, tlle mullions are located on tlle exterior side.
determined, wilere tlle fixed and the sliding anchorage Tiley have a large exterior surface, tllerefore radiating
are to be positioned on tlle building frame. Tllis is much Ileat which will also lead to a reduction of the
closely related willl changes in longitudinal dimensions temperature at the section element on the interior
of panels, resulting lrom tllermal cllanges , and witll tlle side, Ih us with great certainty producing a surface lor
constructive deformations in tlle Illain bui ld ing frame. condensation.
The ancllor bracllets must be designed according to In the opposite case, il the supporting part of tlle
the strengtil, the same as the devices for fastening (an- mullion is located in tlle interior. mucll less condensa-
chor rails, plastic dowels [square-head bOlts], strad· tion problems will arise due to tlle smaller exterior sur-
dling anchors). Specialsections (steel or aluminium) face. Then, condensation can only arise under extreme
can also be fastened to the façade profiles for rein- conditions (Iligh air humidity in tlle interior, lowoutside
forcement. In tlle case of a larger span or if a door is in- temperature ). Tile section, in most cases, constitutes
co rporated into a joint beam of tlle profiles, stronger tlle weak part in the tllermal insulation of tlle façade
sections may I)e required in certain points. Oc- Wllicll is even weallened by the tllernlally unfavourable
casionally, aluminium sectio ns are reinforced in tlle in- border Joint of tlle insulating glass lillit. (Fig. 3.41)
3.39 Protiles IVith ascendlllg widrh anä terior by a steel section insert. (Fig. 3.40) Wilen calculating U values, as a ru Ie tlle same U va lue
ngldily. is aften assumed for a glass borcier of 50 mm as for a
Possibilities for Fixing and Arrangement Tile section. There is a great negative effect of the Ileat-
manner in Wllich tlle aluillinium / glass façade is fas· conducting aluminium spacer mainly for tlle glass bor-
tened to tlle building frame depends on tilree factors: der joi nts of small glass surfaces. Developments are
the type of building frame, the fastening methods, and under way to replace this co ld bridging of the insulating
tlle type of tlle façade element to be fastened. glass unit by insulating spacer profiles. (see Chapter 5,
Tile build ing frame mostly consists of a steel or Glass)
concrete skeleton or of a closed interior shell. The mu l-
lions are mostly fastened to the build ing frame at tlle Thermal Break Systems Since tlle end of tlle
heigilt of tlle floor slabs and prepared for dilatation at seventies it Ilas been regular practice to equip alumini-
the lower side. In Ule case of closed buildings, tIlere um profiles with tllernlal break systeills. Tile isolators
are more possibil ities for anclloring Wllich facilitates of tlle aluminium façade profiles (mostly made of plas-
the construction. tic), are fastened I)y claillping, bolting, glueing, encap-
Fastenlilg points are difficult to reach after installa- sulating, sealing, faam ing. or combinations of tllese
tion of the façacle. Nevertlleless, lIley are exposed to metllods. (Figs. 3.42 la 3.45) Presently, Illainly sealed
negative cllemical influences from the environment. isolators are used for cost-ellective constructions, and
Corrosion can be caused by chlorine (de-icing salt, sea double-encapsulated polyamide isolators are used for
water, rinsing Irom concrete), bad ventilation (and con- façaele work witil Ileavier loads and of a Illore expen-
sequently accumulation of humidity), as weil as Dy con- sive type.
tact corrosion witll metals with strongly differing ten-
3.40 Profile reinforcp.lllent by an ;/lsellerJ sion values. In order to avoid this, fastening materials Form and Appllcation Tile farm of a profile is
sleef profile. of stainless steel. or of aluminium are used to the great- not only defined by aestiletic aspects, but also by Ille
est possible extent. functions to be fulfilled by it. Witll glazed rools, tlle inte-
The type and arrangement of tlle façade panel de- rior profile also farms a special interior water drain.
termine the reqUired strengtil and tlle necessary types Since the interim wate r drain is perfomed in steps, tlle
of arraegement of tlle fastening material. Super-panels mullions normally are of greater Ileigllt tllan tlle tran-
are aften conscious ly equipped wit ll three-dlmensional, soms. Transoills allow water to drain into tlle mullions.
adjustable ancllor slloes made of steel. Ligllt sheets tile Illullions for tlleir part transport it onto tile roofs or
are Ilung, clamped, glued, nailed, or screwed. into drain pipes.
TIlere are profile systems nvailal)le in Wllicll lile in-
Form and Structural Physics As to the struc- tenor profile is also used as a cooling or Ileating tube.
tural physics of aluminiumjglass façades, lhere are Tiley Ilave a larger surface . Due to tlle jOllltS, SUCll wa-
two l1lain aspects whic ll must be taken into consiclera- ter-filled systems are made of steel and welcled.
tion: the Ileat loss must be reduced. and tlle formation Massive Ilot-rolleel steel setting profiles were used
of condensate at tlle interior side ol tlle profiles IllUSt IJefore and silortly aftel' World War 11 to a great extent
I)e avoided. For l1letals, and IllOSt of all alul1llnium, are for single-glass windows aml (pre-set) façades. Tilese
goud conductors ol Ileat and constilute a relalively low profiles are very slim. They we re not used any langer af-
cold I)ridging in tlle façaele. ter tlle energy crisis, as tiley (ofllled a consicleralJle
3.41 Therma/{y unfävor(-l/)Ie /)Clrderjoint of
fin insulatinR glass umt. In same ol tile early alulllilllum j glass façade sys· cold bridging and were 100 nRrrow 10 allow tlle i)uilcling
165
3.50 RulJIJer sealing profiles with opemnr, wlnrlm'l's . 3. ' /ï AllllllllJillln/ woorl lVllldnw 3 . IR Win rJmv s\,sfem, ()/a stlc af tI)(-~ 3.:19 S rc;t e m cons lst mg of
syste l1l. a lumlllium a t t!le interior. alUlllllll U/ ll ar tllO alUJllinitll n/ru hhe r sealing
ex/er/uI. ex/ cl iO!, wofllcs .
in of clouble-glass panes. Furtl1errnore. they tend to of the piaslIc. Also. In the case of greater spannlllg,
warp. consequently lead ing to draugl1ts. Tl1ey cause big profile reinforcements made of steel or of aluminium
problems when renovations are planned. Based on are built into the plastic profiles. Aluminium/steel sys-
structural pl1ysics and tl1eir requirements. façacle reno- tems are used for greater widtilS (strengtil ) and for fire-
vations often askecl for a replacement of the setting proof constructions (temperature load). In tl1is case, 3.42 Encapsulared pla stic Is olators .
profil e by a (wider) insulated aluminium profile. From an steel is the constructive material , clamping and cover
arcl1itectural point of view, llowever, tl1e original out- beads made of aluminium are used for tl1e exterior
ward appearance of tl1e slimmer steel profile must be sides. InteriOl- profiles made of steel are used as 11eat-
l11a intained as fa r as possible. Tl1e renovation profile ing and/or cooling systems (steelilas a lower coeffl-
can be executed with beve lled glass ledges; also devi- cient of expansion than aluminium and can more easi ly
ating (= Iigl1ter) colors are possible to l11ake it look nar- be weldeeI). but also for façades fastened to a stee l
rower 50 that tl1e setting profile maintains its slil11 ap- skeleton frame. With respect to the better corroslon-re-
pearance. (Fig. 3.43) sistance of alu minium and tl1e greater freedom in sllap-
Furthermore. the forl11 of the profiles is influenced ing of aluminium sections, mostly aluminium clamping
3 .43 Sea/cd '-0 5111 150la(Or5
by integratecl grooves for the window cleaners' cradle. and clipping beads are used for tl1e exterior sides of
by the sun-protection equipment and air conditioning SUCl1 systems.
channels. Wl1en combining different materi als to compose a
façade system, tl1e tl1ern1al behavlour of the elements.
CLASSIFICATION BY CHOICE the rigidity of the combination. anel tl1e corrosion IJe-
3.52 GIR7in~ witll clamping and clipping beads. 3.53 Glaling witll glazinp' beads . 3.54 StrucluraJ seaJant glazing.
Surface Fillings Wilen designing the façade con- painting or black coating (opacifier). or by combining
cept. it is the arcllitect's task to compose a façade of glass plates with a closed backplate to form a sand-
tlle materials avai lable and in accordance witll his wich panel (s lladowbox). If the spandrel glazing is to
ideas. Of importance are the different designs of mate- look like transparent glass. it is recommended to
rial, tlle individu al surface structure and texture. the choose an identical type of coating for both compo-
selection of colours , tl1e overmeasure, the detailed de- nents (metal oxide coating) . But variations are possible
sign. and tectonics of the façade concept. Tlle use of regarding tlle aillount of Iigl1t transparency (TL value ).
the material is determined by tlle individual façade (see also Chapter 5, Glass)
system. An aluminiumjglass façade with cold shel l. for The opaque panels are used between tl1e transpar-
instance. offers more possibilities for tl1e combination ent su r faces and as spandre l panels . Two main vari-
of different materials (Fig. 3.18) than a false alumini- ants can be distinguished:
um /glass façade with warm sllell. (Fig. 3.23) • Single panels often serve as an exterior skin of the
Window frames and the façade frame farm a linear façade. protecting the insulaled inlernal construction
profile grid within whicll surface-filling components can (cold façade). Tl1e panels consist of glass. painted
be fastened. Windows and glass panels are transpar- steel, stainless steel, aluminium, glass-fiber reinforced
ent panels, spandrels and pos si bie intermediate pan- polyester. Trespa or Eternit, ceramic tiles. granite.
els are (often)·non-transparent. Tl1e panels are mainly wood, or a composite material. Some of these panel
fastened I)y claillping or glazing I)eads in a profile. In materia ls Sl10W a reinforcement whicl1 depends on the
tl1e case of cold façacles. tl1e pane ls of \he exterior fastening \0 \11e interna l structure. (Fig. 3.56) It is also
sllell are mostly fastened by hanging. glueing. or bolt- possil)le \0 apply noise-reducing ma\erial to tlle non-vis-
ing tn the profiles. ible side of tl1e me\al sheets . tl1US reducing the noise
Tl1e transparent panels are nearly always made of caused by rain and hail. This is Illainly applied in
glass: oblique or horizont al slleet areas .
• Glass panes (single or double glass), fastened by • Composite panels consist ol an ex\erior skin. a core
clamping or glazing beads: (Figs. 3.52 - 3.53) layer, and an interior skin. (Fig. 3.57) In the case of
• glass panels witl1 an internal sealant frame. fas- sandwicll panels, intorior and exterior sl<in are glued to
lened to an internal struclure (str uctural sealant glaz- tl1e insulating care. or tl1e care space I)etween the inte-
ing. see otl1er paragrapl1 in this cI1apter): (Fig. 3.54) rior and exterior sheet is filled with a 11ard plastic faam
• glass panels wllicll are faslenecl ll1echanically ancl (PUR or PIR). Tl1e co re layer can also consist of a rein-
without frame \0 lhe II1ternal structure (boitecl élnel forcernent. e.g. an aluminium 110neycornl) filling.
structural glazing. see otl1er section in this Chapter).
(Fig. 3.55) Dilatation, Toleranees Longi\uclinal transforrn a-
The glazing of spandrels is often composed of tions due to clifferences in ternperature rnay present a
paintecl or coated glass. It becoilles non·transparent I)y particular strain for tl10 construction. In order to pre-
167
3.55 Point laad fastening of a gJazmg. 3.57 Cumpus/ll..: panels. 3.:56 1/T/iI/L'l/U/V i'vIC1ûl1l. Jean Prouve
Centre (Je Congrès. Reims (F) .
Alc/Jitect: Clauclc Vascolll. Pans
vent tIliS, the Illounting space for panels into proliles, Performances of the Aluminium / Glass Faça-
as weil as for connections ol sections with prefabricat- de Decisive factors lor a 11igll·quality use of tlle
ed elements, must be taken into account. Often, the building are a healthy end comfortable mtel'ior climate,
length ol mullions is equivalent to two storeys, i.e. ap· low energy consumption, and low environmentalload.
prox. 7 meters. II the temperature at installation is The most important performances of a façade can be
20 "C, a difference ol temperature ol 40 'C will cause divlded into functlonal, arcilltectural. constructive.
a maximum profile extension of approx. 1 mm per me- structural-physical, and technlcal fielcls. Tlle archltec-
ter of length, consequently a totalof 7 mm. Tllis move- tural design cleals, among others. with the visual ap-
ment must be considered for the muilion connectlons, pearance of tlle laçade, lor Wllicll tecto nics or the tecll-
meaning tllat na leakage or l110vement noise can occur. nical COI11POsition of tlle façade play an important role.
When lastening tlle Illullions to tlle anchor brackets, it Pllysical performances of tlle building may, first of all,
11as proven to be practical to use the upper lastening be distinguislled according to features of noise and
as a lixed po int, wllile tlle lower and intermediate las- Ileat insulation, as weil as of 118at accumulation. but al-
tenings are then performed in a slide-bearing tech- sa with respect to the incidence of sunlight and day-
nique. The length of transoms must be considered to Ilgllt. Technical perlormances of tlle builclmg are princi -
be temperature-dependent. toa. Hung panels must be pally related to stability and strength, wätertiglltness,
anc110red in a vertically fixed man nel' at the upper side and air permeabrlity, but also to fire protection, co n-
and sliding horizontally; bi-directional sliding is usecl for struction and combination of tlle elell1ents, to l11anufac·
mounting to tlle internal structure. Constructions witll ture, assembly, and installation. Froll1 tllese, the tecll-
bolted glazing strongly liepen cl on tlle type ol ancIlor- nica l features of tlle materials are rlerived. Tlle ele-
age. II incorrectly applied, the glass will break. For ments used l11ust functionally periarm witll 1'8spect to
glass panels, tlle two uppermost drilled holes are regu- resistance, safety, cOrl'osion resistance (in tlle case of
lar, matcll ing holes , while tlle two lower ones are ob- l11etal façades), compatibillty, cleaning tecllniques. and
long lloles. One ol tlle upper 110Ies Sl10WS a nal,ow possibrllties ol replacement.
matclling size, whi le tlle otller one must also allow lor Not all of tllese performances are of equal ill1por-
110rizontal movements. The functional quality ol an in- tance. Witll respect to structural-physlcal features. the
stal led laçade par tly depends on the occurrence or following sequence ol priority can, for example, be as-
non-occurrence ol tllermal transformations. Dimen- sumed: airtightness, inciclence of sunlight and dayligllt,
sioning must also take into account the processing and ventilation. therll1al insulatron, sound pmoling.
installation tolerances. structural tolerances of tlle
IJllilding frame and the cleflexion of fiool' slabs, or tlle Stability Aluminium/glass façades principally are
creeping and sllri nkage ol concrete. non-structural liglltweight façade constructions. Tlley
do not contribute to the strengtil and stability ol the
skeleton and l11ust guarantee tlle transfer olstrains af·
168 FACADE SYSTEMS
fecting the façade to the building frame. air space, The air entering tilrougil the exterior sllell
Tl1e continuous strain is causeel by the dead weigilt co mes to rest in tl1is air space, In oreler for the air
whicl1 is strongly determined by the material cl10sen. 1110vement to lose its driving force, attent ion must be
Glass is heavier than plastic material, aluminium is given to the equalization of tl1e air pressure within tl1e
ligl1ter in weigl.1t than steel. Incidental strains may be lacade and of the exterior air pressure. This can be
caused by tl1e use of 11anging elements or added-to acl1ieved bI' inserting 110Ies or joints in tl1e exterior
canopies or balconies. Profile systems witl1 glazing and sllell, allowing for tl1e access ol a 11igl1er volume ol air
non-transparent panels sometimes contribute addition- in tl1e case of low air pressure and il11mediate outlet ol
al stability Wl1icll must, llowever, not be included in tlle air in tl1e case of excess pressure . Tl1e air 1110vement
ca lcu lations of the section dimensioning. Independent compensating SUCll dilferences in air pressure is ca lied
of the type of strain, anc110ring materials must not vi- pressure equalization. Pressure equalization allows tl1e
bra te wl1en strain is exerted on tl1e façade. It IS th ere- façade panels witll open joints and an internal air
fore recommended to secure tl1e anchorings after they space to lunet ion as water protection, and serves to
have been adjusted. (see Cl1apter 7, Structural Pl1ysics drain water whicl1 penetrated into the prolile frame to
and Staties) the exterior.
Tl1e combination ol wind pressure and suction
Water- and Wind-Tightness These factors are movements may generate particularly 11igl1 lorces at
primary requirements to be lullilled by a façade. Tl1e tl1e corners of tl1e building, In order to avoid too power-
weatl1er-load ol a façade depends on its location (at ful 110rizontal air movements in the facade area ol a
tl1e seaside or witl1in tl1e land) as weil as on tl1e 11eigl1t cold laçade, the air space at the building corners is
of tl1e building. Furtl1ern10re, tl1e existence of otl1er sealed with vertical louvers installed over tl1e entire
buildings around tl1e façade, its shape and orientation height. In the case ol higher buildings it may be ne ces-
are of importance. A positive wind-tigl1tness at tl1e sary to close tl1e air space at several spots in order to
same time generates a favourable watertightness, A reduce tl1e compartmentation.
controlled ventilation of the façade construction allows
tl1e leading away of 11umidity deposit, condensate, and Acoustic Measures Tl1e (DutcI1) Co nstruction
vapour. Tl1e water protection of façade systems is Regulations stipulate tl1e values witl1 whicl1 the protec-
l11ainly bascd on tlle principle of double protective mea- tion against exterior noise of a façade construction
sures and pressure equalization in tl1e air space. must comply. (see Cl1apter 7, Structural-Physics and
COll1partmentation ol tl1e air space reduces tl1e move- Statics) Tl1e disturbing grating, creaking, and whistling
ment of air Wl1ich, in turn, helps to acl1ieve better wa- of the façade construction must be avoided by the re-
ter- and wind-tigI1tness. The quality ol laçade sealings spective construction techniques_ Single panels must
must be critically vieweel, as it may be insuflicient due be equipped with noise protection material, if a noise
to careless execution, early aging, incompatibility of tl1e load is to be expected by rainfalls. In most cases, tl1is
material, and damages. Practice 11as shown tl1at it is is not necessary, il verticalmeta l panels are used.
not wise to combine the water- and wind-tigl1tening ele-
ments in one joint: water and wind barriers must, il Ventilation Tl1e quality of tl1e air ins icJe is an im-
possible, be separated lrom each otl1er. portant element of comfort. The lollowing aspects l11ay
Tl1e ingress ol water tlwougl1 tl1e interior shell must be tl10Ugl1t ol:
be avoided at all cost; this leads to tl1e exterior sllell • extent ol air Illovement (draft):
I)eing equipped Witl1 adJoining details. Tl1is first barrier • oxygen content;
is ca lied 111e first line ol delence' . Tl1e exterior sllell • air temperature;
functions like a screen, water ean enter tl1e interior due • air il1lpurities, SUCl1 as ozone. foreign gas, but also
to differences in air pressure and wind, anel it must dust, bilcteria;
tl1en again be led away to tl1e exterior. In order to be • air humidity;
ab Ie to control tl1e water flow, many facaeles are diviel- • odour.
ed into watertight compartments. Tl1e users ol a building actually prefer to control
Holes and crevices in the laçade may cause draft and adjust tlle air quality themselves. Tl1e 1110St
In tlle interio r space, TIlUS, tl1e joints in tl18 interior lavoured possibility is the use ol opening windOWS; ven-
sllell must I)e closed airtigl1t. Tl1is is called tl1e 'second tilation flaps are also accepted. Tl1e variation ol possi-
line of defence'. Tl1IS is I)esl do ne in two steps, thus bilities depends on a series of factors, Mainly in 11ig11-
creating a zone in the air space in Wll icl1 the air move- rise builcJings, opening windows are 11ard to incorpo-
ment comes to rest. rate, taklilg II1to accounl tlle higll wineJ load and tl1e
Wind CiJuses a rJifference in air pressure (pressure safety ilspects. Double aJullliniullljglass façades really
or suct ion movement) between tl1e Clir outside ilnd tl1e offer prngress in tllis area: (lue 10 tl1e special external
169
air space, windows can be operated independent of the ments varies from a ane·time use witlloUt maintenanee
elimatie eonditions. Even if t lle noise level inereases, it (e.g. a filter) on element basis to an adequately Illain-
has been witnessed tllat openable windows are eonsid- tained façade cladding made of durable material (e.g.
ered an increase of comfort. Aeration by means of win· natura I stones) witll a presuilled IIfe expectancy carre·
dows can also be used for cooling during nights. sponding to tllat of the building frame. It may realis ti·
calty be assumed tllat the developments ol t lle next
light Control Only parts of the total sunligllt generation (20 to 25 years ) wilt bring about furtller
reaching the transparent elements of a building also progress, especialty wllen considering tlle develop·
penetrate into tlle interior space. This depends on tlle ments Ilaving been made in this field since 1973 .
type of glass used and on tlle possibly used sun·eon· Investigations have shown that metal façades must be
trolling system. The incidence of daylight into tlle build- replaced or renovated after 20 to 30 years due to a
ing is controlled by sun·controlling measures. These cllange in requirements of use. Tile techn ical life t ime
are equally important for tlle avoidance ol Ileat build·up is consideralJly longer. It is remarkable that the li fe
111 tlle rooms and of an increasing cooling load. time of insulating glazing, wlliell was always assumed
Sunlight and daylight do play important roles with to be approx. 25 years , seems to be longer; based on
respect to comfort at the workplace. Tllis aspect will be tllis assumption , tlley are built in by us ing tecll nique s
dealt with in detail in Chapter 6, Control of Incident altowing their replacement. Even the relatively primitive
Solar Radiation. insulating glazing used dunng the sixties often stilt
funetions welt. The glazing used nowadays wilt certa inly
Fire Prevention and Protection The lire pre· reacll an equivalent lile time. The life t ime of tlle
vention and protection regulations lor façades have façade must be deeided upon in relation witll the In-
been stipulated in tlle (Duteil) Construction Regul- vestment and is, thus. one of the basic des ign as-
ations. There are five problem areas witll respect to fire peets. Up to now, tlle main objeetive was to prove Iligll
prevention and protection: quality at final inspection, life time of tlle product was
• The fastening of the façade may fail; important on ly under tlle aspect of tlle guarantee peri·
• tlle façade sealing between floor slab and façade od, which was short. and its definition contained a lot
panelmay fail; of smalt print. Nowadays, the lile time of the product
• fire Illay skip frolll a burnrng façade element to the must be known on element level at the time ol IJldding.
next floor above; since the executing parties wilt be made responsible
• fire in the interior may penetrate through the laçade for quality during the period of performance/lile time
panel; agreed upon.
• fire at tlle exterior Illay penetrate tllrough the façade An important aspect for the durability of a
panel. Illetal/glass façade is its clean ing. It is generalty known
Besides t lle prevention of l ire, tlle main objective th at tlle glass elements of a façade must be cleaned
of preventive measures is to avoid accidents to people regularly (four times a year). It is less known, however,
in case of fire and to lim it tlle damages caused by fire tllat aluminium must also be cleaned witll water and
and smoke. (see Chapter 7 , Structural Physies and tens ides and nnsed several times a year. Tilis wilt pre·
Statics) vent impairing of the protective coating of aluminium by
cllemical substances from surface dirt. (see Chapter
Safety of U se Tile respective data are also stipu· 4, Surlace Treatment, Cleaning and Maintenance)
lated in tlle (Dutch) Construction Regulations. The In·
creased product li ab ility has also atlributed more i111- Visual Quality The outside appearance of a
portance to tllese safety aspeets. Tilese are not only façade plays an important role lor passers·by and for
related to the safety of tlle users. but also of tlle the people working in the building. Wiletiler people feel
cleaning personne l and the visitors of the build ing. comfortable in a building IS also determined by tlle way
in whicll tlle worl< environment is experieneed by tlle in
Durability The IIfe time of tlle façade is of great dlvldual. Design. sectioning. selection ol matenal, func·
illlportance and is to be eons idered during tll e des ign ti onality. colour, view. and ligllt do Ilave a deeisive influ·
phase. Due to the growing fluctuation of people working ence on the cllmate at tlle workplace. A tecllnicalty and
in a builcling and the increas ingly cll anging functions ol functiona lly gooel façade is of durable quality only, if it
same, functional adaptability. flexibility, and removabili· considers tlle quality needs of tl18 individual 's worl d of
ty of façade panels have become prerequisites. experience, and if tl18 facade becomes a communic a·
Facades and façade panels must have an optimum t ive and infarmative medium as welt. Leading arclli·
durabillty with respect to enVll"onmental aspects. Til e tects Ilave devoted great altention to this aspect during
clloice to be made in aceordance wltll tllese require· tlle past years.
170