MOST INNOVATIVE BUILDING PARTS

Although the façade was initially designed with cast concrete panels framing the window as a whole component the design was later changed to aluminium panels. To ensure the architectural concept both panel options have channels bordering the window and creating a grid on the façade. In the concrete option, these channels were mainly aesthetic and maybe to reduce some of the material use. In the aluminum design the channels have two function:

1. STIFFNESS - Like steel composite decking floors the panels are much stiffer due to the chanels.

2. TOLERANCE - Expansions due to heat can partially be absorbed in the harmonica like channels that widen and contract with the thermal changes preventing the panels to bulge out on warm days.

3. HEAT RADIATION - By increasing the surface area of the panel by adding the chanels, accumulated heat is radiated faster to the surrounding air cooling the façacade surface.

Assembly

The facade panels are made up of four separate parts which are screwed together to appear as a singular panel on the façade.

1. A sheet of aluminum is cut to 292x3050x5.

2. The panel is folded four times to create the chanels making the panel 260x3050x50.

3. The angles of the both sides of the panel are marked.

4. The ends of the panels are cut down.

5. The top and bottom part are welded to panel parts to make the corner. The welding is sanded down to form a uniform surface. Holes are drilled in outer strips of the panels both inside and outside.

6. The painted panel is placed on the facade and fixed in place with drive screws to the window frame and steel rail system

7. First the toppart of the panel is attached to the facade and while removing the scaffolding the bottom part of the panel is placed. All panels are lined with a rubber tape to accentuate the facade grid.