Featuring experts’ views on the scenario of architectural glass, its benefits, and its future
Volume 2 | Issue 3
January - February 2020
INDUSTRY SPEAKS
Alain Garnier, Manager, Sales & Business Development, Middle East, Saint-Gobain SageGlass
Sustainable solutions for every building.
To g e ther wi t h o ur n e t w ork o f partners, a rchi t ec t s , s pecifier s an d in v e s t ors , Schüco d e li v ers t ail o r e d pr o duct s fo r n e w b uil d s and r e n ovat i o ns, de signe d t o m e e t in d ivi d u a l u s er n e e d s in all clim a te z o nes . E v e r y one in v ol v ed is s up po r te d with a co mp reh e nsi v e rang e of se rv ic e s a t e v e ry s t ag e of t h e c o n s tructi o n proces s W ind o w s , door s a n d f açad e s o lu t ions fro m Schüc o m e e t the highest requir e ments i n terms of design, comfort and security, whilst simultaneously reducing CO2 www.schueco.ae
Dubai is all set to showcase the World’s greatest show “Expo 2020 Dubai” that will bring over 180 countries together. With the deadline approaching faster, the construction work of most of the pavilions has been completed or is about to finish. Showcasing human achievements and brilliance, the country pavilions will feature excellent architectural designs and concepts. Every pavilion has the façade designed to depict some themes which are chosen by each participating country. The Expo 2020 Dubai will be an opportunity for the architects or design firms to showcase their unique and excellent designs in the form of the country pavilions. The world will get to witness the architectural masterpieces and design excellence in this largest show.
As we are talking about the beautiful façades, we cannot miss mentioning the glass. When we think about mesmerising façades, glass is the first thing that comes to our minds. A glass façade can turn a basic looking building into an alluring one. Glass is also one of the versatile and strongest building materials. Today, the glass has become very important for the façade industry as it is the widely used façade material all over the world. Glass is the irreplaceable building material as there is no substitute that at the same time enhances the look of the building envelope as well as providing thermal, acoustic, weather-resistance excellence.
This edition of the magazine is featuring the cover story on glass and glazed façades and fenestrations. The experts’ views on the role of glass as a façade material in the Middle East, the benefits it offers, the trends in the glass façade industry, and what future it has in the region, are presented in this lead story in the magazine. There are also some articles covering some other important topics related to the façade industry in the Middle East that includes the transformation of building envelopes, fire safety in the façade, etc.
Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome. You can write to us and share your feedback and suggestions on the articles we have already published, and also recommend the topics which you wish to come across in the magazine.
Team WFM
The Transformation of Building Envelopes in the Middle East
Abdulmajid Karanouh, International Director & Head of Interdisciplinary Design & Innovation, Drees & Sommer
Why to Choose Fabric Façade?
Ahmad Dalain, Director of Projects, Taiyo Middle East
Preventing Spread of Fire in Buildings
Tamer Adnan Nezha, Façade Manager, Arabian Construction Company (ACC)
Clearing Up your View with Fire-Rated Frames
Karam Hamadeh, Territory Manager, Middle East, Technical Glass Products (TGP)
Energy-Efficient Glass in Buildings
Amir Kamal Abdullatif, Executive Director, Al Andalus Holding Company
Industry Speaks
Interview with Alain Garnier, Manager Sales & Business Development, Middle East, Saint-Gobain SageGlass
Face to Face
Interview with Christine Reyes Espinosa-Erlanda, Associate, Godwin Austen Johnson
Case Study: Projects Showcasing Effective and Efficient Glazing
Sandeep Kashyap, Sales Director - Europe & the Middle East, Halio International
About the Author:
Abdulmajid Karanouh
International Director and Head of Interdisciplinary Design & Innovation, Drees & Sommer
Abdulmajid Karanouh with a background in Architecture (BSc), Computation (MSc), Engineering (MSc) and Design Communication (PhD), he has developed over the past 20 years from a passionate specialist in complex architecture into an inter-disciplinary design lead in the built environment. His journey includes working on some of the largest masterplans in the world and on many record-breaking and award-winning projects involving high-profile organisations in Europe, the Middle East, and South East Asia. He is especially focused developing context-considerate integrated urban solutions and innovative buildings systems using BIM-augmented algorithmic thinking and computation. He currently heads the Interdisciplinary Design & Innovation group at Drees & Sommer.
The contemporary perception of building envelopes in terms of design and function have been heavily influenced by a major paradigm shift that impacted the built environment following the industrial revolution. The latter paved the way for modernism which became widespread in the second half of the 20th century. The industrial yet minimalistic approach of modernism resulted in the oversimplification of architecture and building envelopes, where minimal consideration was given to passive design and other functional aspects in favour of technology, which in return overcomplicated building engineering and construction. New materials and oversized building services equipment and structural frames had to be introduced to compensate for thinner, weaker, and lower performance envelopes which resulted in building products that consume significantly more energy to build and to operate.
The ripple effect of modernism reached the Middle East in the form of the “one size fits all” International Style as Western influence grew in the region. Ultra-thin, fully glazed, and fully sealed envelopes with little to no consideration to the urban and environmental context spread rapidly as the region grew into a major oil producer and consumer. Consequently, this resulted in an
overdependence on fossil fuel-derived power to construct, operate and maintain most of the built environment in the urbanised part of the world, especially in the hot and arid region of the Middle East and the GCC.
The above conditions created a highly unsustainable and unhealthy environment in many highly industrialised and urbanised parts of the world. Global and local bodies and related “green” initiatives and “visions” (2030) may indeed open many doors and opportunities to turn things around. However, the roots of the problem require close examination to be able to provide genuine and effective solutions.
There are various sustainable design principles and related features used in past vernacular architecture and passive design that are responsive and very well suited to the context of the built environment that we can learn from.
Prior to the growing popularity of the international style, building envelopes were more deeply rooted in the design and functionality of buildings. They played a more dynamic role in terms of offering a higher number of vital functions when compared to contemporary building envelopes of the 20th
Minimalist fully glazed envelopes still dominate the skyline of major GCC cities
and 21st centuries. Exterior walls, for example, were a key element of the supporting structure of the building, and were known as being loadbearing. In addition to structural considerations, that resulted in most cases in thicker and denser walls, passive design played a critical role in terms of defining the orientation and form of the building and the articulation, size, depth, location, shading method, and operability of the envelope’s openings. Building envelopes, therefore, contributed to more effective natural ventilation, admission of natural light, insulation, and cooling/heating due to higher thermal mass that can better store and radiate energy (cool/ heat) internally. In the Middle East for example, building envelopes were further augmented with additional passive features such as wind catchers, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, dust filters, shading screens and vegetation among many others. Buildings generally, and envelopes particularly, were predominantly made of locally sourced natural materials that have already withstood the test of time. Therefore, they were naturally more compatible with their environment and therefore
were by default more durable and sustainable than contemporary materials that ubiquitous building envelopes are made of. Therefore, the obvious question that comes to one’s mind is why can we not draw inspiration from past proven techniques and revive them in a genuine yet contemporary fashion? Do we remain firmly attached to the near one-century old pre-conceived notion that “the lighter and more transparent the more advanced and attractive” even when the laws of physics and the performance of the end-product clearly point in the exact opposite direction?
The contemporary “green” or sustainability movement started growing in the built environment with the establishment of the US Green Building Council in 1993, where the development of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) began. “Green” quickly developed into a global trend with Al Gore’s Global Warming campaign which snowballed with the release of “An Inconvenient Truth” in May 2006. This trend was immediately picked up by key regional players in the Middle East. The UAE launched the Emirates
The vernacular architecture of Hadramoaut in Yemen where buildings (over 400 years old) that appear to integrate naturally with their context presents another excellent example of sustainable design
Green Building Council in 2006 and Abu Dhabi followed by announcing the Masdar City project the same year. This was followed by several regional initiatives, including Qatar’s National Vision 2030 in 2008, GSAS in 2009 (Qatar), Estidama in 2011 (Abu Dhabi), and just recently Sa’fat in 2018 (Dubai). While these initiatives have achieved various degrees of success and failure alike, they continue to affect the built environment and the building industry in the region. Certain requirements directly impact the design, engineering, material sourcing, energy performance and energy sourcing (renewables), construction, operation, and overall budget and delivery programme of buildings. Such an impact is likely going to increase exponentially in the next few years due to the highly ambitious targets set by the “2030” visions. However, how well are these initiatives and visions set up to genuinely tackle and uproot the challenges and problems facing sustainable design?
While it is nearly impossible to find two identical definitions for the term “sustainable design”, the following definition was formulated for the
purpose of making a case for potential solutions to our global sustainability and environmental challenges.
A “sustainable design” suggests a project/product (a building for example) where all the resources (human, financial, materials, energy, air, water, plants, animals, etc.) required to design, construct, operate, maintain, refurbish, or decommission it can be recycled and renewed within the whole project life cycle without harming the well-being and habitability of the planet.
While undoubtedly well-intended, there are still too many gaps and loopholes in the system to enable the establishment of sustainable design as a genuine and applicable practice. In addition to resistance to change and firm attachment to old perceptions (or rather misconceptions) as alluded to earlier, there are also many geopolitical, economic, and commercial challenges facing various stakeholders across the building industry. Some of those challenges, for example, are the fact that oil production and consumption of oilderived energy remain as the main source of
revenue for most key players in the Middle East and the GCC. In that respect, it would be difficult to imagine an oil-free economy and subsequently, oil-free built environment and building construction industry any time soon until such conditions change. Any attempt in that respect to develop and build a genuinely sustainable building under the pure definition of “sustainable design”, as suggested above, would require considerable R&D investment in terms of time, effort, and resources. This is in order to avoid ending up with exact replicas of traditional vernacular solutions
that may not be entirely suited to today’s requirements while also avoiding masking existing ubiquitous solutions disingenuously. However, this may not be feasible to a single project owner or investor unless it becomes a motion sponsored and promoted by the highest authorities and financial bodies in the country. Importing solutions that work in other regions like, Europe or North America, without at least proper adaptation to the region’s context and the environment is only bound to make things worse.
Having a balanced transparent v/s solid envelope ratio and utilising the main frame and external shading elements to reduce heat gain can improve the performance of the building while adding character to it.
Considering the status quo and the current state of “sustainable design” presented earlier, stakeholders across the built environment will be facing surmounting challenges in the next few years to develop genuinely sustainable building envelope solutions. However, while fully sustainable solutions may not yet be feasible or attainable for every project, the following are proven principles and techniques that can significantly improve the technical and financial performance of building envelopes in the Middle East.
In colder regions like Northern Europe, greater emphasis is placed on insulation as opposed to shading and ventilation as the intent is to retain heat during long cold seasons while keeping cold air out. Therefore, while additional insulation and admission of light that double-skin glass envelopes provide may be useful in colder regions, it can be challenging in hotter regions as the temperature of the air gap between the two skins can reach above 100°C - requiring an increase in size and ventilation speed to make it work. However, heat gain due to the energy exchange between the external hot air and internal cooler air only accounts for 15-20% of the total heat gain of the building while 80% is due to direct exposure to sunlight. Therefore, if the external glass skin is removed and the incorporated blinds are transformed into a robust shading element, it can reduce heat gain and subsequently the required cooling loads and energy consumption of the building by over 50%.
In sunny regions like the Middle East, fully glazed envelopes cause major challenges in terms of glare and heat gain. Therefore, designers resort to using glass with special reflective/darker coatings and internal blinds to reduce the admission of both visible light and heat. This does, however,
compromise visibility and the ambiance especially when no direct sunlight faces the envelope. A more optimised solution would require a more balanced ratio between solid and transparent areas of the envelope. Accordingly, narrower yet higher openings can help in admitting more balanced amounts of natural light while allowing deeper spaces to be naturally lit as well. The solid parts of the envelope can, therefore, become structural members as part of the mainframe of the building offering better insulation and shading on the outside and more thermal mass on the inside. This will also reduce the requirement for internal columns that obstruct internal spaces and reduce the total usable area and efficiency of the building. The solid part of the façade can be used architecturally to contribute to the aesthetics and character of the building. Lastly, avoiding fully glazed envelopes automatically reduces both capital and operational costs of the building.
Future building envelopes will incorporate digitally (smart) driven adaptive systems that respond to the dynamic nature of users and the environment, like the Al-Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi.
Future building envelopes will incorporate natural adaptive systems that respond to the changing seasons of the environment while requiring less maintenance than mechanically driven solutions, like the students’ accommodation for the Technical University of Munich in Germany.
Digitalisation (smart and artificial intelligencebased solutions) is the new rising trend that is expected to spread across the built environment within the next few years. In that respect, we may expect to see traditionally fixed or manually operated building envelope elements like blinds, and shading screens, operable windows and skylights be linked to smart systems with incorporated sensors. Smart systems can, therefore, detect changes in the environment and behaviour of occupants and adapt the building envelope and internally related building services like artificial lighting and air conditioning among others, to optimise the overall performance of the building and improve the wellbeing and comfort of occupants. On the opposite side of the of the spectrum, another rising trend is the incorporation of natural adaptive systems into building envelopes that can respond to the changing
environment while requiring less capital and operational cost than mechanically driven solutions normally do. We may expect to see the use of vegetation that rapidly grow on external building walls during sunny seasons to provide shading and milder microclimates.
Renewables like photovoltaics are still a long way from being incorporated efficiently into building envelopes in the Middle East, especially in the GCC, due to a number of reasons, including: a) They are expensive to buy as they are imported from industrialised nations, b) They are expensive to maintain due to the dusty and rainless nature of the environment, c) They are not yet very efficient from an energy output as it stands, and d) Their surface temperature can reach above 90°C - in return, radiating heat back into the building. Accordingly, PV panels are currently best used in accessible low-rise areas placed up-right[ish] and offset from the building envelope by at least 2 meters to allow them to cool off through convection without impacting the building envelope, while also acting as an effective shading screen.
We may also see more serious attempts to explore ways to use the abundant amount of sand in the region as a building material. Contrary to common belief, most sand types in the region are not used for producing glass or even in the concrete mix!
Ahmad Dalain Director of Projects, Taiyo Middle East
About the Author:
Ahmad Dalain is the Director of Project of Taiyo Middle East, Daughter Company of Taiyo Kogyo Corporation Japan worldwide leader in membrane construction and innovation with unprecedented experience since 1929. With 40 companies all over the world, Taiyo is the biggest membrane contracting company in the world. Ahmad himself is basically structural engineer with Master degree in structural engineering science and with more than 20 years’ experience focused on membrane construction innovations in the Middle East and other parts in the world. He is considered one of the few most prominent experts in the field of tensile structures in the Middle East with so many land mark projects executed under his directions from design development sketches up to handing over.
The fabric façade concerned in this article is the one used as an architectural façade feature, sun glare control and LED screen outside of existing building envelop façade.
According to up to date market experience, stretched fabric façades share in the façade market has grown significantly against traditional hard materials ones. Why is that? Here below the major factors:
Fabric is approximately 100 times lighter than glass, this will not only reduce dead load reactions but will also make the installation cheaper, faster and much more environment-friendly (less machines). In addition to that, the cost of structural steel & its foundation needed for the fabric façade is dramatically lower than hard façades.
At affordable cost, the fabric façade can be of any colour or printing pattern. The possibility of having solid or open mesh fabrics with a wide variety of shading coefficient makes it easy for the sun glare lovers to enjoy daylight at their preferred comfort levels. The energy-saving is immensely enhanced with enhanced shading coefficient. Unlike hard materials, the fabric can take any curvature or any shape by its nature.
The stretched fabric still offering best screen experience. Since early days of cinema, silver lenticular (vertically ridged) screens, which are
made from a tightly woven fabric, either natural, such as silk, or a synthetic fiber, that why until our days, some are still referring to cinema industry as ‘’SILVER SCREEN’’, it was in simple words one of first modern stretched fabric applications.
Unlike what inexperienced mindset may think about fabric, we can safely state that fabric fire behavior is not less safe than any other hard façade one. Perhaps it is famously known that some kinds of fabric are classified as non-combustible such as PTFE for instance, yet even other kinds of B-class such as ETFE and PVC are behaving safely too but with different philosophy as following: 1- Does not spread flames(fire will only impact its origin panel) 2- Fabric does self-extinguish itself in fractions of seconds (once the fire source is removed) 3- The amount of smoke is not significant at all specially when fabric is used as exterior feature 4- A load of fire in fabric case is significantly less than hard façade.
As any other materials, if you choose the right quality fabric materials, fabric fabricator, and abide with the preventive maintenance recommendations, then the fabric façade life expectancy is not less than any hard façade, generally speaking, fabric life expectancy is ranging between 25 to 35 years depends on its components, way of application and location. Nevertheless, even if after 25, 35 or more or fewer years you find yourself wish to change the façade colour, printing, shading coefficient (make a brand new look of new façade) that is unquestionably, without any doubt feasible on fabric façades exclusively.
Inspired by balm tree trunk, the national tree in Arabian Gulf countries, the stadium outer façade was designed to cover inner envelope with additional outstanding balm trunk look and at the same time reducing sun glare and heat on inner envelop while allowing it to breathe. The 612 panels façade with approximate 92 different sizes and inclination was preliminary intended to be made into hard materials such as GRC (Glass fiber reinforced concrete) or with fabric as an option. The shape of each balm trunk panel is curved to mimic nature and therefore the
intention to use GRC was to make sure that inspired shape is fully satisfied or simply molded.
Eventually, the conclusion was to make a fabric panel mock-up and inspect its viability against GRC (refer to Figure 1A&B). The fabric would be stretched on a steel frame with an intermediate arch (refer to Figure 2).
After mock-up inspection, the decision was obviously to confirm fabric option for the following reasons
Project name: Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium
Location: Al Ain, UAE
Client: Al Qattara
General contractor: BAM International
Membrane façade Contractor: Taiyo
Middle East LLC
Architect: PATTERN UK
Other consultants: Schlaich bergermann partner, Taiyo Middle East LLC
Materials used for façade: PTFE fabric
SHEERFILL-V, Saint Gobain USA
Commencement date: September-2012
Completion date: July-20-2014
• In terms of shape, the fabric succeeded to mimic intended shape by using a metal frame with an intermediate arch and then stretch PTFE fabric on it. Actually, from far distance like 30m and more you can’t say certainly that the façade is made of fabric. Fabric option cost was half of GRC for the following reasons:
o Lighter fabric panel requires less efforts and time in installation
o Lighter fabric panels provide a very low dead load on the main steel diagrid frame which indirectly reduced the cost of main steel structure and foundations.
o The QA/QC control and fabrication of fabric is significantly much more flexible and easier than molding and controlling 92 different GRC molds.
• The LED light reflection on fabric is well known guaranteed pleasure.
after completion
Tamer Adnan Nezha Façade Manager, Arabian Construction Company (ACC)
About the Author:
Tamer Adnan Nezha is a Façade Manager at ACC (Arabian Construction Company). With a BS degree in civil engineering and Masters in building materials, he has over 16 years of façade construction experience in the Middle East. He is heading up specialist façade teams servicing projects in the Middle East. He worked on a wide variety of projects - large-scale and multiple-plot retail projects to mega high-rise projects. And, he also has an extensive knowledge of the building envelope, fit-out, curtain walling, façades, cladding, structural glazing, architectural steel, and GRC in all phases (pre-design consulting phase, pre-construction phase, construction phase, operations & maintenance phase).
The possibility of a fire is a major concern when constructing a building. To protect those who inhabit these structures, specific attention is paid to the fire-resistance of the building materials. Buildings that use a glass exterior façade, curtain wall systems have a low fire-resistance rating and as a result, elements such as sprinkler systems are used to increase the fire-resistance rating. These elements allow the fire to spread slowly throughout the building, giving time for those inside to evacuate before the building materials start to fail and collapse.
If a fire were to break out in a high-rise building, the spread of fire would be vertical - going from one floor to the next, following with the flow of air currents. This is because the void between the floor and curtain wall are not properly sealed. The fire will affect both sides of the curtain wall system causing premature failure of the wall and potentially the vision glass. To reduce the spread of fire for 2 hours, a properly designed and tested perimeter fire barrier system is used with rock-wool.
CAVITY BARRIER REQUIREMENTS AS PER THE UAE FIRE CODE
Chapter 1 clause 4.5.4
• Cavity fire barriers shall be incorporated into façade design at every floor horizontally to
restrict flame spread vertically and a minimum of two such barriers shall be provided each side and face of the building
• Cavity barriers shall be incorporated vertically into façade design at every floor to restrict flame spread laterally
• Aluminium mullion and transom curtain wall assembly (non fire-rated)
• Concrete floor assembly (minimum 12’’ thickness) with concrete drop beam 2 hours fire-rating
• Minimum 4” thick foil-faced curtain wall insulation (mineral wool min. 4 PCF density) securely attached to framing as per methods described in any UL or Intertek approved perimeter joint system. Curtain wall insulation to completely fill spandrel at floor level and cover vertical mullions
• Minimum 4” thickness mineral wool (minimum 4 PCF density) compressed 33%
• Minimum 1/8” (wet) thickness firestop joint spray to completely cover mineral wool and overlapping minimum 1/2” onto concrete floor and curtain wall
APPROVED FIRE RATED SEALANT OR OPEN GROOVE
APPROVED ACP / MCM
APPROVED NON-COMBUSTIBLE THERMAL INSULATION (Density as per listing)
SUBSTRUCTURE SYSTEM
WRATHER RESISTANT WRAP
CONTROL JOINT
FIBERGLASS TAPE OVER CONTROL JOINT
WINDOW/DOOR/ OPENING
STEEL WINDOW
FLASHING OVERLAPPING
EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR
JOINTS STAGGERED BETWEEN LAYERS MINIMUM 600 mm VERTICAL MINIMUM 300 mm HORIZONTAL STAGGER FASTNERS
RCC SLAB / BEAM
TOP RACK FASTENED TO SOFFIT
COLD ROLLED CHANNEL
CS STUD
RCC COLUMN
CAVITY FIRE BARRIERS
BOTTOM TRACK FASTENED TO SLAB OR BEAM
INTERNAL FIRESTOP PLASTERBOARD (13mm-16mm)
EXTERNAL FIRESTOP PLASTERBOARD
• The installation shall ensure that compartmentation is established between the façade skin and primary substrate and cavity exists for the fire to pass through
Protecting the perimeter also requires the extension of the rated floor to the exterior wall surface. The perimeter fire barrier system and the sealing of the perimeter joint helps in maximising the integrity of the wall system. This can keep the wall and window system intact for a longer period of time. Other benefits of these precautions include:
• Forcing the fire to exit the building
• Preventing the movement of flames, hot gases and smoke to the floors above
• Protecting the structural elements and helps prevent failure of spandrel system
• Maximising fire protection of non-fire rated walls
• Giving time for occupants to evacuate and first responders to secure the building
• Providing additional protection if sprinklers or fire alarms fail
1. Aluminium mullion and transform curtain wall assembly (nonfire-rated)
2. Concrete floor assembly (minimum 12" thickness) with concrete drop beam (2 hours, fire-rating)
3. Minimum 4" thick foil-faced curtain wall insulation (mineral wool min. 4 PCF density) securely attached to framing members per methods described in any UL or Intertek approved perimeter joint system. Curtain wall insulation to completely fill spandrel at floor level and cover vertical mullions
4. Minimum 4" thickness mineral wool (min. 4 PCF density) compressed 33%
5. Minimum 1/8" (wet) thickness firestop joint spray to completely cover mineral wool and overlapping minimum 1/2" onto concrete floor and curtain wall
Typical Metal Composite Material/ACP installation on block wall
APPROVED FIRE RATED SEALANT APPROVED MCM OR ACP
SUBSTRUCTURE SYSTEM
PANEL HOLDER
APPROVED NON-COMBUSTIBLE THERMAL INSULATION (To density as per listing)
STEEL FLASHING ENVELOPING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR
WINDOW/DOOR/ VENTILATION OPENING
WINDOW FLASHING
MATERIAL/APPROVED
SEALANT
CAVITY FIRE BARRIER AT EVERY STRUCTURAL COLUMN
BLOCKWALL AS PRIMARY SUBSTRATE
About the Author:
Karam Hamadeh Territory Manager, Middle East, Technical Glass Products (TGP)
Karam Hamadeh is the Middle East Territory Manager at Technical Glass Products (TGP). He brings more than 15 years of experience in fire protection glazing and specialty architectural glazing systems to help design professionals ensure they are making the best decision possible for their projects. Karam leads TGP’s Middle East sales efforts and brings with him a deep understanding of international standards. Karam also manages the distributors within the area and leads regional training.
As modern buildings continue to rise around the Middle East, the increasing presence of glass is hard to ignore. Efficient cooling systems, innovations in construction techniques and modern glazing methods and systems have all helped glass emerge as a design solution that integrates into the historical landscapes common to our region. Additionally, design professionals are pushing the boundaries of bold design, forcing manufacturers and suppliers to innovate alongside them to deliver beautiful building materials for beautiful buildings.
The benefits glass offers when used in the building envelope - openness and natural light - can transform internal spaces. Likewise, glass-filled interiors can improve visual connectivity, access to outside views and, as numerous studies show, occupant wellbeing1. Design professionals want to capitalise on glass’ benefits, but this can be difficult with traditional fire-rated materials. Traditional firerated materials used to provide fire protection, such as concrete and gypsum, can block views and create the need for artificial light.
Architects and design professionals want to deliver a memorable design that also satisfies strict guidelines on proximity, consideration for excessive heat transfer and other regulations outlined in building codes. But how do design professionals deliver a
Careful selection of a fire-rated glazing system means that building designers can use glass in innovative ways in new construction or in a retrofit of existing interiors
beautiful space that features innovative design, yet satisfies the various life-safety requirements and building codes? The answer: fire-rated glazing. Recent improvements in materials and techniques marry form and function, making fire-rated glass a viable option for today’s buildings.
For building designers to best utilise glass in a building’s interior and exterior design, it is helpful to first have a thorough knowledge of fire ratings, testing, and product classifications. Understanding how the complete fire-rated glass and framing system will perform in a fire emergency is integral to how space can be designed and ensuring the correct product use. Offerings that are intended to stop the spread of fire and smoke are issued fire ratings, which reflect the amount of time the material will maintain its integrity when exposed to heat and smoke.
Fire-rated glazing falls into two categories: Fireprotective and fire-resistive glazing, and each has its own unique traits. Fire-protective glazing defends against the spread of flames and smoke for a specific time. This designation is common to traditional wired glass, tempered glass and firerated glass-ceramic. Since it does not block the
transfer of radiant and conductive heat, it is subject to area and size limitations under most building codes.
Fire-resistive-rated materials are subject to a more stringent performance method. These materials must also resist the transfer of heat, keeping the non-exposed side cooler and not subject to the high heat of a fire. For glass to earn a fire-resistive rating designation, it is put through the same tests as solid walls. These include stringent tests such as ASTM E119 “Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials” and Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.® (UL) 263 “Fire Resistance Ratings.” Given these performance benefits, fire-resistant glazing assemblies are typically suitable where building codes require an assembly designated “fire resistant” to enclose a space. Examples include wall applications requiring a 60-minute or greater fire rating that must meet temperature-rise criteria, such as stairwells, exit access corridors or other fire barriers dividing interior construction. Due to its heat-blocking characteristics and classification as fire-resistive wall construction, fire-resistive glazing is not restricted to 25% of the wall area. This provides design teams with greater flexibility when working to create light-filled and inviting spaces that meet strict fire- and life-safety criteria.
The International Building Code (IBC) serves as the basis for many building codes. The IBC requires that a given fire-rated glass assembly must provide the same type of fire protection (e.g. fire resistance or fire protection) and carries the minimum fire rating as dictated by code. This includes the frame, glass, seals and other components, so specifying compliant systems is crucial. When choosing which system to utilise, however, design professionals need to ensure the system has been tested as a wall and with all of the individual components as an assembly. Sourcing the fire-rated glass, framing and applicable hardware from the same supplier helps ensure a consistent and compliant fire-rated glazing system.
By utilising fire-resistant-rated glazing systems, design professionals can satisfy stringent IBC criteria and provide fire ratings up to 120 minutes where large spans of glazing are desirable.
Today, there are a number of design-forward ways to create glossy expanses of glass while satisfying code criteria, from transparent fire-rated glass wall panels to fire-rated glass curtain walls. One attractive solution is butt-glazed fire-rated glass wall panels. They are the next step in a long evolution of products that more closely match the continuous glass wall aesthetic popular in non-rated glazing
Fire-rated glazing systems open a new world of design possibilities to create modern, open and bright interiors
applications. In these systems, fire-rated glass panels are butt glazed together in a heat-resistive perimeter frame. The result is large, interior spans of glass free of vertical mullions, for a nearly seamlessappearing partition.
Demonstrating the benefits of advanced fire-rated glazing systems, the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) turned to fire-resistive-rated glass for its newest administration building. The design team sought a solution that could provide open and collaborative space and would marry the life safety benefits fire-resistive-rated glazing offers with an innovative, minimalist design. KNPC sourced a solution that uses a silicone sealed, buttglazed design to provide a transparent expanse of fire-rated glass in its interior areas. Utilising lowiron, fire-rated glass, the large panels feature nearly colourless transitions and offer fire ratings from 60120 minutes.
With proper selection, butt-glazed fire-rated glass wall panels can also complement the look of nonfire-rated partitions or walls in the building. For example, systems with flexible options for the narrow butt-glazed joints and the perimeter frames enable design teams to match and suit the design needs of the project. This means the building interior can look quite consistent when fire-resistant glass assemblies are visible in the same general areas where non-fire-rated assemblies are allowable. Areas requiring fire-resistant glazing products can still enable a strong design intent and pattern.
Design professionals in the Middle East are pushing to be on the cutting edge of building design, but improved fire and life safety will continue to be a driving force. As they integrate open and minimalist designs into new construction and retrofit existing buildings, the fire-rated glazing industry will work closely with them to deliver the vision they are seeking to create.
The region’s continued adoption of the IBC and UL classified and labelled products allow architects and design professionals to push the boundaries of what is possible with exterior and interior glazing. As design professionals integrate current design trends, architects can be assured they will have the ability to specify a fire-rated glazing solution that enables them to follow these strict life safety requirements without sacrificing the original design aesthetics.
NOTE:
1For more, see Heschong Mahone Group’s Windows and Offices: A Study of Office Worker Performance and Indoor Performance published by California Energy Commission in 2003, obtained from www.energy. ca.gov/2003publications/CEC-500-2003-082/CEC500-2003-082-A-09.PDF; and from Boyce, Peter; Hunter, Claudia; Howlett, Owen’s The Benefits of Daylight Through Windows on September 12, 2003, obtained from thedaylightsite.com/wp-content/uploads/papers/ DaylightBenefits.pdf.
About the Author:
Kamal Abdullatif Executive Director, Al Andalus Holding Company
Amir Kamal Abdullatif is an Executive Director at Al Andalus Holding Company. The company is a leader in the façade field in Saudi Arabia. He manages two subsidiary companies of the group, one is specialised in the architectural glass processing and the other in fire-rated glass systems. He owns a Bachelor in Civil Engineering and a Master in business administration, enabled him along with his extensive experience to add a significant contribution to many important investments and projects of the glazing industry in the region.
Talking about the building materials which form an essential foundation of the construction industry, leads us to explore what kind of materials are highly considered in the research and development processes. Specifically, the materials which significantly affect the building’s functional performance should be the most highlighted in the development concern.
Architectural glass is one of the building materials considered a fruitful subject to be discussed. Why? Architects rely on glass and implement it in their designs as an attractive material adds authentic purposes to the buildings. Civil engineers take care of the structural behaviour of the façade system which includes glass, glass behaves as a part of the whole system mainly in bearing the dead loads. Also, the architectural glass is a big concern of the mechanical engineers since it is related to calculating the thermal loads in a building, from here we can start discussing our subject in this article which is the energy-efficient glass in buildings.
Architectural glass is a transparent material which means that it is the highest influencing material in the building in regard of letting solar energy comes
inside. Solar energy comes in three spectrums, ultraviolet rays, visible light, and near-infrared rays. Each spectrum has its different effect in the building. Ultraviolet spectrum owns the main responsibility of fading the colours of materials and causing some damages. Also the near infra-red has bad effects of being the main source of heat in solar energy. While the visible light is the main source of light and a little heat, in addition to causing the light glare inside the building.
How glass can control the solar energy flow inside the building? Mainly, the solar control coating which is applied on the glass surface is the controller of that energy without neglecting the role played by the body tinted glass in case it was not clear glass. This coating helps in reflecting a big percentage of the solar rays to outside, and it allows another percentage to get inside. In this case, there will be a gaining of the visible light in limited percentages and banning a percentage of the non-desirable spectrums to go inside. The performance of such coatings is measured by one of two factors; the first one is the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and the other one is the Shading Coefficient (SC). Both factors can be derived from each other by using the following equation: SHGC = 0.87×SC. To estimate the efficiency of the glass in terms of the solar control performance, we need to know that as long as both factors are lower they become better. These factors are important in the equation of calculating the internal thermal load of any building.
Another physical property of glass is highly considered in its performance, which is the heat
conductivity. Glass is considered a good conductor of heat, and as we know; heat moves from the ambient of lower temperature to the ambient of higher temperature. So, in the summer, we need to prevent gaining heat through conductivity from outside of the building. And, in the winter, we need to maintain the heat inside and prohibiting it from going outside of the building. To control this issue when using the architectural glass in the building, there are two ways. The first one is related to another type of coating applied on the glass surface, it is named low-E coating. Its name comes from the property with low emissivity, which means a property that minimise the heat penetration through the glass. By using this low-E coating, the glass will reduce gaining heat in summer or losing heat in winter. The performance of the low-E coating is measured by a factor named U-Value, this factor expresses the heat conductivity of the glass sheet or the glass combined unit and similar to SC, as long as U-value is lower it becomes better. The measuring unit of this factor is W/m2K according to ASTM standards or BTU according to EN standards. The other way of achieving a good thermal performance of the glass is the combination of double glass units, here two panels of glass or more are combined by making an internal air cavity between the glass layers. This cavity allows the happening of the air convection
inside and it helps in reducing the heat volume that goes inside. As a result, by using the low-E coating and the air cavities in the combined glass units, we reduce the moving heat through the conduction, the convection and the radiation from the glass material. U-value is used too in the equation of calculating the building’s internal thermal load.
When the mechanical engineer uses lower SHGC and lower U-value, he gets a lower internal thermal load which is deeply reflected in the initial cost and the running cost of the power consumption of the building. First, he doesn’t have to use air conditioning units with very high capacity since the thermal load would not be very high, so the AC units’ cost will be lower. As well, the running cost of the
electricity power consumption will be lower since no need to use high capacities to cool or warm the internal ambient of the building.
Considering the explained above about the role of using the glass coating in improving the glass performance and getting energy-efficient glass, all the well-known manufacturers of float glass had taken huge steps in the race of developing the thermal and solar performance of glass. The most powerful coating nowadays is that one which achieves a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), a low U-value and a reasonable transmittance of the visible light to save the energy of the artificial lightening of the building inside. Such coatings are called high-performance double silver or triple silver low-E coatings. Such types of architectural glass in the buildings are environmentally friendly materials, help in maintaining the energy and achieve the LEED and green building requirements.
Finally, we can say that glass is a beautiful material that participates in constructing very nice buildings with very beautiful fronts, and allows the residents or the buildings’ users to enjoy the pretty views out of the building and the natural light of the sun. Also, the polished shiny appearance of the glass adds more elegance to the outside perspective of the building. But the challenge was in avoiding the bad thermal effects of such transparent material and finding efficient solutions in saving energy. I think the development of the architectural glass performance was at the engineers’ and clients’ expectations through all the past years.
When we saw a building, the first thing which attracts us towards it is the façade. Buildings with glass façades keep us mesmerised by the beauty it adds to the structure. The glass helps the building in connecting them with nature and the surroundings. We can see the use of glass in buildings in various forms, it is being used as insulation material, structural component, external glazing material, cladding material, etc.
Glass as a building material delivers beauty, visibility, and light transmission. Glass transmits up to 80% of natural daylight and helps in energy and cost saving. Glass as become the most popular building material because of its versatile nature. The adoption of green technology in construction is also a major reason behind the growing demand for glass in building envelopes. Glass as a building material will always remain in demand.
How the architectural glass industry has transformed, what is its demand, what are its benefits and limitations when using it as a complete façade material, what future will it have? These are the few important questions which the experts can answer better. To get those questions answered, we interviewed a few experts, and their responses are presented in this interesting cover story.
Jasmin Hodzic, Marketing Director, Africa & Middle East, Guardian Glass, quotes “Glass is opening a world of endless possibilities for architects and designers. The use of glass in low-rise buildings is growing as building inhabitants are looking to increasingly be connected to their outside environment while increasing their comfort and wellbeing through the neutrality of glass colours. Glass has taken these factors to new levels and is increasingly becoming the building material of choice in fulfilling these expectations”.
The growing demand for niche products like the anti-reflection coating reflects the development in the market knowledge for different architects and clients, says Samih Yehia, Sales and Marketing Director, Emirates Glass LLC. With people coming from different background and clients that are exploring different markets for new ideas, the niche market in different high-performance glass is very challenging yet generate motive for the local factory to keep developing and investing in technological solutions.
He adds, for the low rise applications, Emirates Glass is the only company in the region that has two markets: the first market is through the final glass units sold directly to the contractors and the second one is through the raw glass stock sheets delivered to the glass processor. As a mega-company, Emirates Glass cannot focus directly on the low-rise buildings with monthly production targets that exceed 80,000 sqm of final DGU glass. For this, Emirates glass initiated the program of Approved Processor Partners (APP). This program is based on auditing different glass processing companies and gives them certifications to process the glass of Emirates glass for small projects. This growing market currently contributes more than 15% of the company turnover and continuously growing. The number of glass companies in the region reflects the high demand for this product and the stable growth that we keep witnessing in the last 15 years.
According to Alain Garnier, Manager - Sales & Business Development (Middle East), Saint-Gobain SageGlass, the demand for glass and glazing in the building is growing as people love to have views to the outside. The connection to the outdoors is essential for our well-being, and large windows are an essential part in fulfilling this need. People want to enjoy daylight. At the same time, architects love to design with glass as an architectural element that is very versatile, durable and offers very sophisticated design
possibilities. Glass gives architects a lot of design freedom. As a result, glass is used more and more on new buildings, and thanks to innovation, its properties allow for improved performances.
Hodzic believes that the architectural demand trends are keeping up with the same pace of evolution of our societies, with an increased desire for transparency and authenticity. With that being said, a strong trend to increase glazing surfaces on building envelopes can be seen. Because of the solar, sound and light transmittance properties of coated glass, architects are choosing this material to attend to that increased desire, designing buildings that not only look good on the outside, but that also makes life great on the inside.
Hodzic adds, moreover, the aesthetic preferences differ from region to region or even from country to country. For example, what we are seeing in the
UAE is a trend where architects are looking for colour neutrality in glass, coupled with light grey glass colours for the exterior look and feel of the building. In Saudi Arabia, blue and bronze colours remain very popular. However, a neutral looking and a greyish hue façades trend gaining pace on highrise buildings can be seen.
According to Yehia, the trend of architectural glass is currently through the change in glass colours, combinations, sizes, and performance. The neutral colours that vary from light silver to light grey became the most popular colours, while the tinted glass market is shrinking. The safety requirement keeps increasing with more laminated glass is required now on the external glass, along with that the sizes of the glasses tend to shift toward jumbo glasses which increase the overall thickness of the glass and the performance of the glass keep increasing. Currently, some projects are being executed with glass performance U-value close to what isolated walls can do.
Garnier says that the main trends in architectural glass in the Middle East are the development and installation of smart intelligent solutions like dynamic smart glass. Dynamic glass responds to three main requirements of the building, construction and real estate industry: Reduction in energy consumption and energy conservation, enhanced human experience and improved occupant comfort, and finally connectivity. Thanks to dynamic glass solutions, the façade of our building is becoming a connected IoT object. The Middle East has always been at the forefront of innovative architectural solutions, and we see the adoption of dynamic smart glass solutions increasing rapidly in the region.
Hodzic opines that the glass solutions for buildings should help contribute to helping to make buildings more comfortable and energy-efficient while still enabling flexibility in design and aesthetics. Therefore, we see sustainable growth in demand for high selectivity glass. This type of glass offers an optimal import of light transmission while reducing the amount of glare and heat moving through the glass. "To achieve those requirements,
Guardian Glass is turning great formulas into superior products where, for example, we can today provide high-performance glass with a selectivity ratio above 2 (selectivity being the ratio between the light and heat transmittance)," says Hodzic.
According to Yehia, the night vision glass as well is taking an extensive interest with the architects to give the end-user the freedom to see through the glass during the night time and enjoy the skylines of the city
The clients now are expecting the glass to provide high thermal and acoustic isolation, provide a neutral appearance by seeing wide-angle through the glass, having the glass as a safe choice that end users can trust living within a unit full of glass. Allowing natural
daylight, the level of comfort to be maintained by allowing the right amount of daylight to pass through the glass and block the rest depend on the windows-to-wall ratio and reduce glare inside the unit and still the price to remain affordable.
Garnier notes that the best choice of glass is a glass that adapts to the outside conditions, a glass that will be dark when the sun is shining brightly, and the space in the building must be protected from heat and glare. The same glass must be clear when the light is low, on a cloudy day, or at night. These different requirements are best fulfilled by dynamic smart glasses that have the property to go from clear to dark, automatically based on the information from light sensors or manually when the occupant of the building wants to choose its own light level.
Hodzic says that the governments in the Middle East are increasingly more committed to making buildings more energy-efficient. Almost every Middle Eastern country now has more stringent building codes or is currently revamping its entire building codes. The emphasis is made on achieving better thermal insulation and lower solar heat gain. The goal the building codes serve to achieve is to use less energy to cool down a building. Moreover, new codes are being enhanced that is not limited to the center of the glass unit anymore, but the performance needs to be achieved for the entire frame and glass system. This approach is more effective in achieving highly efficient building envelopes and windows. The codes also usually distinguish low-rise residential buildings which are typically up to 3 stories from other the high rise and non-residential buildings.
According to Yehia, the norms of the glass in the Middle East is to have at least a double glass panel, the single glazed application is almost disappeared. The second norms are to have a minimum of one low-E coating glass which reflects the minimum requirements of different authority to apply in building codes.
Garnier believes that the main challenge for the construction industry in the Middle East is sustainability. Sustainability is driven by 2 main factors. On one hand, the comfort and the wellbeing of the building occupant must be warranted by large window openings. On the other hand, regulations are getting more stringent on sustainability. The Middle East uses international sustainability standards like LEED or WELL. It has also developed its own standards that match the specific requirements of its climate, like Estidama in Abu Dhabi, Al Safat in Dubai, or Barjeel in Ras Al Khaimah. The glass industry is responding to these needs by offering solutions that adapt perfectly to the outside conditions and that standard static glass cannot fulfil. Solutions like dynamic smart glass that clear or darken automatically and seamlessly in a controllable manner are contributing to make the building construction more sustainable and to achieve these specific goals in the Middle East.
“Thanks to advanced technologies used in a modern glass coating and fabrication, the possibilities are now endless, including all glass façades”, says Hodzic. Architects and designers are now offered with various choices of high-performance architectural glass solutions that can efficiently
control light, solar and thermal insulation as well as advancing safety and acoustics.
He adds, many buildings today are designed for mixed-use for more sustainability. The time of “one product fits the entire buildings envelop” has evolved. Today, there is a trend to use different types of glass on the same building to achieve a more sustainable result without compromising between the requirements for an office, an apartment, and a retail shop.
Yehia believes that the limitation is currently reduced with the technology that allows the double glass
units to perform as a strong isolation element in the overall fenestration of the building. The opening is not anymore the weak points for energy transfer and currently, the glass is playing a major role in protecting the residence from external heat, giving clear vision, and provide an architectural beauty for the building.
Garnier states that the complete glass façades are a standard feature on high rise buildings in the Middle East. The main issues of the Middle East climate are heat and light, basically, there is too much of both. Standard static glass is unfortunately not offering a good, sustainable solution for these applications. This is why the trend is to use smart dynamic glass on buildings where the glass to façade ratio is high. When dark, the dynamic glass can block up to 99% of the light and 95% of the heat. It will reduce the energy consumption of the building by 20 to 30%, mainly by reducing the need for air conditioning. When taken into account at the concept design stage, dynamic smart glass can also reduce the load of the HVAC system, and allow to dimension it for a lower peak load
The pace at which our society is transforming is faster than ever before and it will further accelerate as we are developing new technologies and capabilities, says Hodzic. We would like to see our glass help improve lives, facilitate sharing knowledge and have the least possible impact on our environment, creating virtuous cycles of mutual benefit. “We believe that to achieve those
objectives, glass and building envelopes must become dynamic, interactive and intelligent. As we are acquiring new knowledge, we envision upcoming innovation ahead to have further control over light, solar and privacy in fenestration, tailoring it to very unique and specific needs”, points out Hodzic.
He adds, today, façades are being utilised with projection and other embedded technologies in glass that can communicate to us. This could certainly be developed further to enhance our human experience in interior environments. In other words, the glass used in our homes and offices should be working for us. Leaving with more time for our family, friends, and communities.
Yehia observes that switchable glass and façades light are the new upcoming technology. Currently, most of the building’s owners are exploring the ability of the building to have screens on the glass without affecting the vision of the people living inside. As this technology is currently available yet expensive. The upcoming trend is to have local factories producing those technologies which will make the prices more affordable and reasonable.
According to Garnier, in this region, there is a privilege to be at the forefront of architectural
innovations. Architects from all over the world are coming to this region to offer the most innovative designs and concepts. Glass is one of the elements that have the largest impact on the façade of the future. Technology like the dynamic smart glass is now available to make the façade a connected IoT element, and link it to the other building elements like lighting, air conditioning, and security systems through the Building Management System (BMS). As a connecting element, the glass of the future will offer more and more functionalities, and we, as building occupants, will be able to control it via an App on our phone or tablet, or via voice control.
Hodzic states, one of the fantastic properties of glass is its ability to help protect us from excess noise. A smart combination of glass can reduce the impact of noise on our daily lives, improve the quality of our living environments and serve the overall purpose of the building as a safe haven from the elements. The performance of the glass in acoustic insulation systems may generally involve employing thick glass, double or multiple glazing, and laminated glass in combination with a specific sound control foil. Usually, acoustic insulation is an area where the entire glazing composition is carefully studied.
The glass performance is usually tested by the DB isolation that the glass can provide. Depend on the location of the building and the size of the glass, Emirates Glass is working with the consultant to select the appropriate acoustic requirement for the buildings, notes Yehia. Currently, projects that are close to the main road have acoustic requirements above 43 DB, buildings next to airport exceed that to 47 DB while the one located remotely from those noise sources require acoustic requirement between 32-36 DB.
According to Garnier, high-performance dynamic glass can offer excellent acoustical insulation. As we live in more and more urban areas, our environment is becoming noisier. So acoustical comfort is a must. On a glazed façade, acoustical insulation can be a challenge, but high insulated glazing can offer a 50dB sound reduction and create a quiet and enjoyable environment in the noisiest place. This level of acoustical performances is compatible with dynamic smart glass and is an added feature to satisfy the highest requirements.
Hodzic quotes, “when we consider the ambitions of the Middle Eastern and Gulf countries to offer their residents the highest standard in quality of life and become the best cities in which to live, work and retire, we at Guardian Glass are driven to contribute to the architectural glass industry to develop new technologies to support these ambitions. In the future, we all will see the architectural glass in the Middle East becoming more versatile, offering several functionalities with better energy efficiency”. In terms of aesthetics, he believes that the trends will keep evolving. However, according to him, the neutral and grey glass should continue gaining more interest in façades.
The architectural glass in the Middle East keeps chasing the most sustainable production methods that will improve the performance of the glass without having an extensive consumption of energy during the production of those glass panels, says Yehia. Furthermore, the prices of the highperformance glass keep getting more competitive once compared with the same products 10 years back. By having that, the clients abounded the idea of using medium performance glass or single glass in their buildings as the option of having high isolation is affordable and due to availability and government requirements, it is the ultimate solution for the building. Furthermore, glass companies in the region played a major role in educating different
stakeholders about the role of high-performance glass over the building's lifetime.
“Architectural glass in the Middle East is setting the trend in terms of functionalities and performances because of the adoption of dynamic smart glass. It is our role as a solution provider to demonstrate the benefits of our new technologies, how simple they are to implement, how efficient they are, and finally, how beneficial they are for all concerned stakeholders, whether they are architects, developers, investors, real estate management companies, contractors or end-users, and building occupants. The integration of technologies like dynamic smart glass in every sustainable building of the future is the ultimate goal”, believes Garnier.
The construction development is seen as one of the major symbols indicating the growth of the country and glass has always given the highest share of contribution in it. The Middle East is known for its extreme weather conditions. Adopting glass as a building material was not that easy for the architects and developers in the Middle East because of the hot and arid climate of the region. The technologies made it possible and now the glass has become one of the widely used building materials in the Middle East. The construction trends in the Middle East will keep on changing, but glass will always remain at the forefront.
What is your take on the growing demand for glass in niche and low-rise applications?
Glass, being a versatile material, founds its usage in many niche applications. Due to its inherent property of being transparent, it has started replacing other common building materials. For instance, we have seen a steep growth in the usage of fire-rated glass for partitions & doors. Full metal or wooden doors are being replaced with small vision panel doors, full glass doors, and full-height fire-rated glass partitions.
We have also seen glass being used for various architectural masterpieces, whether it is a luxury retail area, mall or airport. Here, architects make use of specialty glass products that can play with the colours and light.
What are the trends in architectural glass in the Middle East?
The rulers of the UAE have the vision to move the country forward and make it a futuristic place where people can drive innovation and implement new ideas. We see such concepts being exercised in today’s architecture. Projects such as Dubai Frame, Etihad Museum, Zayed National Museum & Museum of the Future showcase unique applications of specialised glass products.
We are seeing the advent of dynamic tinting glass that can completely eliminate the use of blinds in façades. Glass façades that transform into a giant media screen are no longer a figment of imagination in movies, but have found its use in bespoke applications.
Even on commercial projects, architects are specifying glazing that is energy efficient and supports green building norms. Local coated glass manufacturers have increased their capacity and new high-performance products have been launched.
Firoz Kachwala Founding Member and General Manager, Future Glass
Throw some light on the choice of glass for windows/effective fenestration?
As per the Dubai building codes, the majority of glazing is required to achieve a shading coefficient of 0.25 and a U-value of 1.4. This has resulted in maximising the usage of high-performance glazing. Double silver-coated Low-E glass makeups have become a norm in local specifications with a shift towards higher performance rated triple silver low-E coated products as well.
What are the specifications and norms for glazing in the Middle East?
Norms have become more stringent and demand higher performance glazing now compared to the earlier Decree 66 of 2003, Dubai Municipality.
The government of Dubai, along with DEWA and Dubai Municipality, has set forth Green Building
Regulations and specifications that provide a guide for the usage of glazed elements on the fenestration.
• If the total area of fenestration is 40% or less than the SC should not exceed 0.4.
• If the total area of fenestration is 60% or more then the SC should not exceed 0.25.
Please brief on limitations of having complete glass walls on buildings considering the Middle East's climatic conditions?
This has been a debatable topic and has differing views. Glass is the material of choice for building façades due to its ease of installation and low maintenance. However, it needs to be used prudently and the choice of glazing would vary depending on the quantum of coverage.
Buildings being glazed completely with glass should use very high performing glass coatings to achieve adequate insulation levels. In such cases, doubleskin façades may also be designed that help in bringing down the HVAC costs to maintain comfortable interiors.
Besides insulation, another major problem in the
Middle East is the glare. Due to the high levels of sunlight, glare management is critical and appropriate internal/external shading devices should be incorporated to control this.
If the above factors are not addressed, fully glazed buildings may result in higher utility costs, lower occupant comfort and maintenance issues.
What is your idea for futuristic architecture glass?
What features would you like to see in architectural glass in the future?
With the advent of technology, glass has become a responsive building element.
Glass can respond to user inputs and a façade can be converted into a medium for stunning interactive media content. By combining transparent qualities of glass and the media display properties of LED technology, developers can create a smart building that is interactive and excite people in whole new ways.
Glass can respond to the climatic conductions and new dynamic glazing technologies have taken the front stage
in fenestration. Static shading devices limit functionality and cause difficulty to maintain a comfortable environment at all times.
Dynamic tinting glass technologies are now available that can adjust the light/heat instantly to suit user requirements. As sunlight intensifies or diminishes over time, this intelligent glass fine-tunes the shade to protect from solar glare and instantly regulate the temperature to bring optimal comfort.
Please tell us about the performance of glass in acoustic insulation?
With an increase in road/air traffic and greater settlement density, noise nuisance to the occupants has increased sharply. Consultants are incorporating noise mitigation in building design and actively specifying acoustic requirements for glazed façades.
Insulated glass units with a combination of laminated panes and different glass thicknesses help in improving sound control. Special sound control films in a laminate can improve sound insulation value by almost 5 dB.
Based on sound reduction requirements, the exact glass construction can be achieved with the required inner/outer pane laminates and the thickness of the insulated glass cavity.
However, when designing façades with acoustic requirements, one should consider glass with frames and test the acoustic rating of the complete system. Framing systems should have sound dampeners inbuilt to ensure efficient acoustic performance and achieve a lower sound transmission through the façade.
One of the most luxurious developments in Dubai, City Walk brings together high-end fashion brands, fine dining restaurants, opulent homes, and aweinspiring entertainment venues. Developed by Dubai’s foremost real estate company, Meraas, City Walk is a design-inspired lifestyle destination. Meraas and global design experts from Benoy worked together to create this multi-purpose space right in the heart of the city. This unique property, complete with its own rainforest, al-fresco dining options and busy stores, was created to meet the diverse needs of residents and tourists alike. A small part of the much larger Downtown area, City Walk has become a bustling cultural and retail hub for the city.
With City Walk being a luxury retail development, we were tasked with the job of creating a glamorous and striking façade for the property. The architect wanted to create an exterior that would reflect the mood of its surroundings, compelling us to push the envelope and think of unique solutions to meet the design requirements. The structure was conceptualised to
have a chequered façade that didn’t compromise on vision. This became one of the most interesting challenges for us to overcome. Given the harsh desert climate and extreme temperatures faced in the city, we had to ensure that our design helped control the glare from the panels while also providing shaded areas for comfort. Additionally, the design called for the panels to change colours through the day without affecting the view from inside. Most importantly, we needed to ensure that our façade solutions were low-maintenance, easy to install, and met all the local building code requirements.
To achieve a dynamic façade while maintaining neutral views from the inside, several panel options were tried. We ran through the concept with our design team and experimented with sputtered coats, ceramic frit, and metal inserts. While these materials enabled us to achieve the external appearance required, they disrupted views from the inside. Finally, we selected a product from our VIVIDVIEW range by creating a customised panel using SEFAR mesh AL 260/25 laminated with float glass. The patented mesh we used was unique as it allowed us
to achieve the exterior metallic appearance without obscuring views from inside.
The VIVIDVIEW Vision Mesh that was utilised in this project also had a significant functional advantage as the three-dimensional SEFAR mesh acted as mini-louvres that filtered the light passing through it. This, along with the smart use of open areas, allowed us to reduce the glare by dispersing the light. The glass panels were placed strategically across the façade to provide shade from the hot desert sun whenever required. In order to meet local building code requirements, a high performance clear low-E glass from Guardian was incorporated into the IGU make-up. We manufactured the special glass for the façade at our in-house state-of-the-art facility and were able to create panels that changed their colour from silver to orange through the day. Our stringent quality checks at the glass processing facility were critical in eliminating on-site rejections. While selecting the glass for this project, we ensured we sourced panels that did not require any special maintenance and could be installed in the façade design with ease.
City Walk has become a city’s hotspot throbbing with energy. Despite the predominantly hot weather
The structure was conceptualised to have a chequered façade that didn’t compromise on vision
and the open-air restaurants and walkways, people can be seen milling about the area through the day, enjoying the beauty of the architectural marvels all around. The VIVIDVIEW panels offer a one-sided vision, providing residents with unparalleled views of the surrounding area, while also giving them the privacy they deserve. Additionally, the threedimensional panels help bring the structure to life. The use of special glass panels with metallic lustre allowed us to create a façade that reflected the surrounding areas while enveloping the entire space in a majestic glow.
Quick Facts:
Project Name: City Walk
Developer Name: Meraas
Architect: Benoy
Main Contractor: Al Shafar General
Contracting (ASGC)
Sub-Contractor: Al Abbar Aluminium
Processor: Future Architectural Glass
Quantity: 4,000 sq. metres
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Product: VIVIDVIEW (vision panel using Sefar AL 260/25, metal-coated fabric mesh with Sunguard Neutral Low-E) Processes involved: Lamination, insulation, heat treatment
D u b a i , U A E . F a ç a d e S y s t e m : C G45 6 F u l l y C a p p e d c u r t a i n w a l l s y st e m . F a ç a d e C o n t r a c to r : S y k o n G l a s s & A l umin i u m S y s t e m s C o . L L C . C o n s u l t a n t : D e w a n A r c h i t e c t s & E n gi n e e r s . M a i n C o n t r a c to r : N a r e s c o C o n t r a c t i n g
U A E : Sykon Glass & Aluminium Systems Co. LLC.
P . O . B o x 2 3 1 2 4 9 D u b a i, U AE T e l : + 9 7 1 4 2 5 7 9 5 9 0 F a x : + 9 7 1 4 2 5 7 9 5 9 1
Alain Garnier
Manager Sales & Business Development, Middle East, Saint-Gobain SageGlass
Alain Garnier is in-charge of developing the SageGlass business for Saint-Gobain in the Middle East, based out of Dubai. His goal is to support continued and sustainable growth for SageGlass dynamic glazing and to address this new market from a position of strength throughout the region. Garnier joined Saint-Gobain group in 2002 to head the newly created business unit Photovoltaic within the flat glass division in Europe and later in the US. In 2012, he took up the challenge of developing the market for SageGlass in Europe, and successfully completed the first large scale projects. He is a graduate in Engineering from the Ecole Centrale (France) and studied at the Technical University of Berlin (Germany). He is passionate about glass and its use in the building envelope. He is a frequent speaker at conferences, seminars and trade shows.
In conversation with Window & Façade Magazine, Garnier briefed about Saint Gobain’s journey and shared his views about the architectural glass industry in the Middle East. Excerpts…
Please brief us about your Saint-Gobain’s journey in the Middle East. What is its contribution to the architectural glass industry in the region?
Saint-Gobain SageGlass started its operations in the Middle East in 2015 from Dubai in the UAE. Since then, it has expanded its activities in the whole region, including Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. The Middle East is a key region for SaintGobain SageGlass as it has a hot and dry climate and thus requires dynamic glass solutions that can adapt to the climatic conditions of the region. In addition, the region is a magnet for worldwide leading architects who find here the possibility to design iconic buildings and want to benefit from the most advanced innovations in architectural glass.
Tell us about your product offerings? What benefits do they offer?
At Saint-Gobain SageGlass, our offering consists of a full range of dynamic glass solutions that can satisfy the most advanced requirements of our customers. Saint-Gobain SageGlass is an intelligent solar control solution for windows, curtain walls, and skylights. It offers an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient alternative to blinds or shades and
provides reliable year-round indoor comfort, whilst at the same time ensuring long-term sustainability for the building. The SageGlass dynamic glass solution can be silently tinted and made fully clear again either automatically or manually at the touch of a button, using the SageGlass App on a tablet, smartphone or Amazon Echo voice activation. SageGlass has an unsurpassed optical and solar performance providing significant energy savings, thermal comfort and, at 1% visible light transmission, glare control and all without losing the view to the outside. When dark, SageGlass blocks 99% of the light and 95% of the heat. It integrates easily into a standard double glazing unit and any framing system.
Name some of the major projects in the Middle East in which your products have been used?
Our Saint-Gobain SageGlass dynamic glass is used in many buildings in the region. Some of the most remarkable ones are: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai, The Swiss International School in Dubai, the Jewel of the Creek building in Dubai, buildings in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, the new HQ of KGOC in Kuwait, as well as small and large villas throughout the region.
What are the major challenges and the biggest opportunities for the glass industry in the Middle East? How do you see the present scenario of the construction industry for the glass segment? The biggest opportunities in the Middle East construction market are for solutions that make
buildings smarter and involve IoT capabilities. Saint-Gobain SageGlass is the pioneer of the world’s smartest electrochromic glass and is transforming the indoor experience for people by connecting the built and natural environments. An electronically tintable solution like SageGlass controls sunlight to optimise daylight, outdoor views and comfort while preventing glare, fading and overheating without the need for blinds or shades. SageGlass dramatically reduces energy demand and the need for HVAC by blocking the solar heat. Thanks to a solution like SageGlass, the building envelope is becoming a connected IoT object. This is creating tremendous opportunities for the building industry in the region. Commercial real estate owners will be able to charge higher lease fees for intelligent buildings for a variety of reasons including lower operational costs as well as support for improved safety, comfort, security, and productivity for workers. Smart workplace benefits
facilitated by intelligent buildings include work process improvement, workflow improvement, internal and external supply chain management optimisation. Saint-Gobain SageGlass is offering solutions that are part of that revolution.
How has been the glass as a façade or building material evolved? What innovations Saint-Gobain SageGlass has brought in the past few years?
At Saint-Gobain SageGlass, we have developed and introduced to the market a full range of dynamic glass solutions for façades, curtain walls, and skylights. Last year we introduced SageGlass Harmony. It is the newest addition to the SaintGobain SageGlass product line and represents the latest innovation in dynamic glazing. Harmony features an elegant visual experience with a continuum of tint levels going from clear to dark vertically along the glass edges. This continuum can be oriented top to bottom or bottom to top, depending on what is needed for heat and glare management.
Saint-Gobain is a well-known name in the glass industry all over the world, what is your USP and success mantra?
Indeed, Saint-Gobain is well known for its innovations. In fact, 1 product out of 4 sold by SaintGobain today did not exist 5 years ago! With SaintGobain SageGlass, we offer a dynamic glass solution that it is a beautiful and cost-effective way to control sunlight without shades or blinds, so you can manage glare and heat while maintaining a connection to the outdoors. This is why we say SageGlass is not designed for buildings, it is designed for people. Once you experience SageGlass, you’ll never want to go back to traditional glass. SageGlass controls the sunlight and heat that enter a building, significantly reducing energy consumption while improving people’s comfort and well-being.
Could you please tell us about your manufacturing facility and capacity?
All our Saint-Gobain SageGlass dynamic glass products are produced in our plant in Faribault
Minnesota in the USA. We have a large production capacity to supply the market worldwide, and we are looking at possible expansion in other geographies.
What sustainability means to your business? How sustainable your products are?
Sustainability is at the heart of the Saint-Gobain activities. Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and solutions which are key ingredients in the wellbeing of each of us and the future of all. They can be found everywhere in our living places and our daily life. They provide comfort, performance and safety while addressing the challenges of sustainable construction, resource efficiency and climate change. Saint-Gobain’s position is to work with independent, public schemes based on international official standards (ISO, CEN). Saint-Gobain SageGlass consider all the environmental impacts of its product on its whole life cycle, to get a full and reliable picture of its environmental impact. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) are scientific tools that are based on internationally recognised standards. They provide a full and
transparent view on our product environmental impacts during its whole life cycle. Saint-Gobain SageGlass has third-party verified LCA and EPD for its solutions that demonstrate its commitment to offering our customers the most sustainable solutions.
What are your goals and plans for the next 4-5 years?
Our goal at Saint-Gobain SageGlass in the Middle East is to continue grow at exponential rates and to address these new market segments from a position of strength throughout the region. We have opened and developed the market for SageGlass dynamic glass in the region, and successfully completed large scale façade projects. We want to increase the adoption of these smart solutions together with all stakeholders in the market, real estate developers, investors, building owners, architects, consultants, contractors, and installers. We all work to satisfy the requirements of the end customer, the building occupant, who is looking for an innovative solution that will constantly improve its well-being and comfort.
Christine Reyes Espinosa-Erlanda Associate, Godwin Austen Johnson
About the Author:
Christine Reyes Espinosa-Erlanda has spent over a decade at the award-winning practice, Godwin Austen Johnson and was recently promoted to Associate. She is a keen advocate of sustainable design and attained the LEED Green Associate credential, which recognises her as a leader in this field and an active participant in the green building movement. She was shortlisted for a number of awards including Architect of the Year at the Middle East Architects Awards, Women in Construction Awards at The Big 5 and the TFT Architect of the Year, which she won. She is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and, Women in Architecture Group.
After winning TFT Architect of the Year award, Christine shares her journey in the field and what are her key success mantras. Here are the excerpts…
What inspired you to become an architect? How has been your journey so far since you started your career?
My creative instincts began with chalk drawings on the wall of our home in Manila, Philippines where I grew up.
I studied in a pre-engineering high school and from there I realised how impressive buildings are, how these structures encapsulate time and act as silent witnesses to man’s endless potential. I understood from there on that a building involves far more than its appearance and, as an architect, I wanted to be part of an industry that creates and shapes the present and future cities.
Moving to Dubai was a pivotal moment in my professional career and now I am fortunate to be part of building the future of the Middle East, designing and working for visionaries creating award-winning projects, masterplans, and heritage. GAJ has been my family for eleven years now and is still the same family culture that allowed me to challenge myself and test my capabilities, mentor and be mentored while being given tasks that allows me to grow professionally and personally. The equal opportunity the team experiences here is not based on gender but
merit-based on talent, creativity and professional skill.
You have recently won the “Architect of the year”. What are the factors behind your success and what design strategies do you follow?
I do not believe my success has been based on a single achievement but is more a culmination of my efforts.
Winning the TFT Architect of the Year Award saw me go through a rigorous and meticulous process, from online submittals, interviews, screenings, deliberation and online questionnaires which were incredibly challenging and yet memorable and worthy. The judges were looking for evidence of the finalists’ leadership and innovation, professional excellence, contribution to the community, values and work ethic.
My active participation in supporting women in construction, in the art community and my community service through helping and reaching out to architecture and design students here in UAE and also in Manila were just some of the key factors highlighted as success factors. The judges were also impressed with the maturity and deftness I have shown on every project I have worked on.
What future opportunities and trends do you see in the architectural segment in the Middle East?
The Middle East has been a forerunner when it comes to innovation and technological advancement and the highly anticipated Expo 2020 will be a vital business platform for the UAE. Additionally, the opening up of Saudi Arabia and its tourism sector will provide a significant boost to the development of the country providing opportunities within the construction industry.
Some of the trends I believe we will see over the next few years include a greater prevalence of smart and automated buildings systems which will continue to get smarter due to tech-savvy clients and endusers.
The building design is going to change. The emergence of shared spaces such as Airbnb, for example, will result in an increasing demand for adaptable open spaces that can transform
according to the preference of the end-user. These transformable spaces respond to a clientele who want to create experiences rather than permanence.
Another trend I think we will see is industrialism and minimalism which respond to end-users choosing an authentic experience and less accumulation of stuff / less clutter. On a similar note clients, today are well-travelled and there is a more nomadic style existence than ever before. This requires a different way of thinking with modular design gaining popularity.
Rehabilitation and reformation or the adaptive reuse of existing buildings to extend their built life and provide a more economical and sustainable solution to building new ones is an area that we will see develop more in the next decade. The UAE already has a number of retrofit projects of old existing buildings which is a positive asset for the
country adding to the historic values and providing an educational aspect for the younger generation.
Glass is considered as the most aesthetical material to be used in building façades. What is your view about it?
Glass is a stylish material which can be found in some of the world’s most iconic buildings because, apart from transparency, glass has many other properties that can be combined to make it a truly multifunctional material.
Architects have always used glass to add that touch of class to structures. In addition, it is a fully closed loop recyclable material and its versatility is now also being used to replace brick walls, doors and façades. It is among the preferred materials not only for its aesthetics but also because it is versatile and can help reduce energy consumption through solar-thermal and photovoltaic
applications. Large glazed areas provide energysaving properties at the same time as permitting natural light into buildings to enhance the living and working conditions of occupants.
The technological advancement of glass such as algae within glass louvers or nanotechnologies added within this material highlights the aesthetic values of glass as well as its versatility.
Could you please tell us about the latest façade and cladding technologies and materials available in the UAE market and those you used in your project?
Façades are getting smarter and more sustainable through the use of technology and sustainable materials or the use of smart system solutions.
For façade wall coverings, UAE regulations specify minimum requirements for combustibility, flame
spread ratings, design, installation, and maintenance. Materials such as aluminium, composite panels, metal composite panels, polycarbonate panels, exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS), external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS), glassreinforced concrete (GRC), glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC), glass reinforced polyester (GRP), glazing are available in the UAE.
Depending on the design, type, and needs of the proposed building, the façade technologies we specify at GAJ have to respect performance and function. For some of GAJ projects we have specified, EIFC, wood plastic composite cladding, ACP’s, GFRC’s.
Could you please brief on the technological benefits of the well - managed façades?
Other than aesthetics and the presence of the structure, the façade is an important component of any structure. It acts as the primary barrier against external weather elements that could damage the health of the structure. With the birth of smart façade systems that combine efficiency and creativity, well-managed façades could help reduce risks and achieve improved comfort for inhabitants, reduce maintenance costs and lower energy consumption.
What are your views on the future façade and fenestration technologies as well as materials?
Façades will gain more significance in the future of structures. We are experiencing a shift now as façades become more innovative and sustainable
through technological advances such as 3D printing, dynamic façades, nanotechnology, and smarter solutions.
How do you go about choosing the material of façade and cladding?
Selecting the right façade system can improve the life expectancy and nature of the building. Fire safety, performance, function, thermal and weather protection as well as aesthetics are some of the main considerations we evaluate while ensuring compliance with UAE regulations.
What is your advice for young and upcoming architects?
The advice I would give to aspiring architects is to follow your passion. Look for mentors to guide you along the way. Aesthetics, utility, and strength are yesterday’s basics. Economy and sustainability are key now. Our industry thrives on collaboration so work on your communication skills. Be reminded that the profession is for all, gender is not relevant but talent, skill, and creativity is.
The profession is challenging but it is through supporting each other and continuously educating ourselves and our clients so that we will be able to elevate our profession.
And finally, regardless of how challenging architecture as a profession is, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your vision become a built reality.
About the Author:
Sandeep Kashyap
Sales Director - Europe & the Middle East, Halio International
Sandeep Kashyap is Sales Director for Europe and the Middle East region at Halio International. Kashyap has worked for various large companies such as Kuraray and Dupont, in Europe and the Asia Pacific. He is one of the pioneers of switchable privacy glass manufacturing in the UK, with extensive experience in the laminated and smart glass industry. He is an experienced Senior Manager, with a focus on technology, strategic marketing and business management.
Avondzon, a renowned Belgian geriatric care facility located at Erpe-Mere has opted for dynamic Halio insulating glass units. A total of 132 windows make up a glass roof that, on 304 m2, connects the old wing, built in 1978, with the new one completed in 2019. 73 modern, spacious rooms open to a lightflooded common area under the glazing. In bright sunlight, the Halio glass units - either separately or in groups - can be completely darkened in less than three minutes. In its dark state, Halio blocks 95% of incoming energy and 98% of light. The system also allows daylight to be controlled in a patient-friendly and precise manner within a light-flooded glass architecture. In addition, it lowers the energy costs for lighting and heating.
The first experiences with the glass roof in the Avondzon building complex are all positive: It stimulates the residents to get in contact and encourages mobility. The nursing expert points out the particular importance of daylight in healthcare: Older people need three to five times more light than young people. Daylight provides orientation, promotes well-being, lifts the mood and reduces the risk of falling.
Especially in elder patients with reduced mobility, intelligent daylight management can influence health, safety and well-being. Changes in the aging eye such as cloudiness and yellowing of the lens,
reduce the incidence of light on the retina, therefore, probably increases the propensity to listlessness and despondencies. Blue light is filtered out and can no longer affect cortisol levels as it was young. In addition, the glare sensitivity increases. The dynamic Halio glass with a smoother tint darkens slightly. At the same time, it ensures the highest possible daylight incidence at all times, but it removes the unpleasant dazzling effect of sunlight, bringing a perfect thermal comfort. With a colour rendering index of 97%, the electrochromic glass used in the project is completely neutral in colour and, when toned, shows neither blue cast nor raster or erratic gradients.
In health facilities there is another application for dynamic glass: nearly-privacy even without blackout curtains, which always bring with it the risk of germ attachments. Halio Black blocks more than 99.9% of incoming light and 96% of incoming energy and can be used for both interior and partial façade partitioning. Untinted, it has a transmittance of 51%. The Halio system is complemented by a cloud-based control, which can be integrated into any common building automation system. Halio Cloud adapts tinting to individual needs thanks to special algorithms, with individual parameters such as building use, location and orientation of the façades and weather conditions being included in the calculations. End user control is via intuitive and wirelessly networked interfaces.
Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the «Tour et Taxis» site was one of the most important freight handling centres in Europe with warehouses, offices, customs buildings, the largest freight station in Europe at the time and a direct connection to the Brussels-Scheldt maritime canal until the 1980s.
Belgian real estate developer Extensa has set itself the ambitious task of preserving the authentic character of these gems of Belgian industrial architecture, while simultaneously transposing them to the modern age. The department stores of the former Gare Maritime goods station have been completely rebuilt under the leadership of Neutelings Riedijk Architekten in mid-2019. The seven interconnected halls cover an area of more than 40,000 sq. metres and are up to 23 metres in height. Fortunately, it has been possible to retain the well-preserved, historic supporting structure made of metal cross beams. In conjunction with the use of a great deal of wood, brick floors and glass, a modern and light-filled district has been created beneath it, where people work, go shopping, eat and spend their free time. “Barcelona’s climate in Brussels” - is how Extensa describes the roofed town, the central “Rambla” of which is an impressive 270 metres in length.
In order to prevent overheating and to minimise glare during periods of intense sunshine, Extensa opted to install a total of 1,633 sq. metres of sensor-controlled dimmable Halio panels.
A total of 600 triple-glazed insulating glass units with low-E coating embedded in narrow steel frames will be installed. Mechanical solar control was dismissed at the very start of the project, as we didn’t want to change the overall impression of this wonderful, century-old façade through the addition of more elements, explains Extensa COO Peter de Durpel, “its ease of use also won us over.“ A third, but hardly insignificant reason for opting for Halio was the positive contribution it made towards Extensa’s sustainability strategy. The project developer is pursuing a circular economic concept that has unnecessary material avoidance and a positive carbon footprint as its primary targets. The Gare Maritime will become a modern Smart City with an irresistible, historical charm. The Halio glass system contributes towards a pleasant and vibrant daylight atmosphere while keeping the energy consumption levels for solar control and air conditioning technology to a minimum.
• The glass used gives a neutral colour (not bluish or yellowish) that perfectly matches conventional glazing
• It gives a smooth, very swift transition from light to dark in under three minutes that can be halted at any stage, overriding predefined settings
• It provides a smart, flexible, networked system
• The static glass with an exclusive coating, ensures façade uniformity when used alongside dynamic Halio smart-tinting glass
Responding to the growing demand for energy and aesthetic requirements, AGC Obeikan Glass has introduced high-performance solar control glass - Stopray Ace-30T for the MENA market.
Stopray family products are particularly well adapted for hot climate countries ensuring optimal solar control. Stopray Ace-30T double silver coatings are designed for better comfort and higher energy efficiency. These soft coatings with low internal light reflection create a comfortable daylight atmosphere indoors and ensure the perfect view towards the outside world.
Stopray Ace-30T is available in three deep colours - blue, bronze, and grey - to satisfy any
taste without compromising on functionality.
Stopray Ace-30T coated glass is developed for exterior applications in façades on all types of commercial buildings. These double silver coated glass products must be heat-treated before use and are available in large sizes, giving architects great freedom and flexibility for designing prestigious projects.
AGC Obeikan Glass factory is located in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Sales & Marketing office - in Dubai, UAE. Through the dedicated team of qualified experts, the company provides a wide range of support throughout every stage of the project.
For more enquiries, visit: www.agc-obeikanglass. com.sa
Halio glass has a light transmission value of 65%. With a colour rendering index of 97 in its clear state, it is a completely neutral colour, and no unnatural blue cast, grid patterns or erratic gradients occur even as the glass tints to shades of grey. Halio glass can tint to a minimum light transmission value of 2% in less than three minutes. This is much faster than any other system currently on the market.
Depending on the glass structure, Halio glass achieves Ug values of up to 0.6 W/(m2K). Halio’s control system automatically optimises the amount of daylight entering the room, and, thanks to its dynamic solar coefficient, Halio can manage heat gains and reduce cooling needs.
Halio is recommended for all sustainable building projects, whether Passive House, Minergie, BREEAM, WELL or LEED certifications.
Halio dynamic glass is the future of the façade. Modern façades self-adjust automatically, incorporate dynamic solar protection and provide perfect thermal insulation and natural light, all combined with a sleek design.
With its smooth and precise glass tinting technology, Halio makes façades and smart buildings even smarter and more efficient. Dimmable glazing automatically reacts to the weather outside and can be programmed as required. Smart Halio glass creates ideal conditions in terms of visual quality, thermal comfort, and energy efficiency.
This highly automated system is controlled by the Halio Cloud, which communicates with all common building automation systems and can be operated via apps, voice commands or decentralised control panels. The Halio Cloud is fully equipped to support EN 17037 implementation.
With its smooth and precise glass tinting technology, Halio makes façades and smart buildings even smarter and more efficient
EN 17037 provides designers and developers with basic target values for daylighting interiors. In this connection, the standard distinguishes between three levels: minimum, medium and high. The standard also defines three recommendation levels, minimum, medium and high, for view out of the space, exposure to sunlight and protection from glare.
Geographical location, façade orientation, and weather conditions, as well as individual preferences, can all be factored into Halio’s daylight management.
Based on the latest research findings, this standard sets out recommendations for daylight provision in interior spaces and also addresses the issues of view out, exposure to sunlight and protection against glare. With their smart control systems, switchable solar control glass products such as Halio make a vital contribution to modern daylight planning.
For enquiries, contact: sandeep.kashyap@ halioglass.com or visit: www.halioglass.eu.
The Renson Fixscreen sunprotection has celebrated its 15th anniversary on 15th January at the Polycloseexhibition in Ghent, together with all the partners and ambassadors who contributed to the success. As the first sun screen of its kind in which the screen is zipped closed using two side channels as it is lowered, the wind resistance (in every position) of this type of external solar shading rose rapidly in one fell swoop. Flapping and torn screen fabrics became a thing of the past, long live tight tension! An added advantage was the fact that, with the screen down, insects no longer had any chance of getting inside windows that were left open at night to provide ventilation. It was logical then that this was the most efficient way to prevent overheating indoors. But the higher wind resistance of the screens meant they had a much longer lifespan. Renson is now also launching the Fixscreen Minimal as the next step in the - already - rich Fixscreen history, good for at least another 15 years of market leadership!
Since then, windows are only getting larger, and the
importance of dynamic sun protection like this is only increasing: in winter and in-between seasons, you can make optimum use of the free heat from the sun. And keeping the screens down during summer helps you prevent your home from heating up too much. Moreover, the view outside - even with the screens down - is always retained, which was seen as a significant asset.
With the arrival of the Fixscreen Minimal (available in Europe as from April 2020 on), Renson will be taking another big step in the further development of its renowned sunprotection screen, in search of the limits in terms of minimalist design. For curtain walls and post-installation on existing ‘minimal windows’, there will now be an extremely suitable, sustainable, and high-quality solution. So, let’s look forward to another 15 years of the Fixscreen sunprotection screens.
For more enquiries, contact: jamila.bouhsine@ renson.net.
OF. Studio - an emerging London-based practice has was chosen as an international competition for a new public realm intervention in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The firm will design a waterside feature for the 5.6 million m2 Dubai Creek Harbour development, which has been masterplanned by CallisonRTKL and will feature a skyscraper centrepiece by Santiago Calatrava.
OF. Studio’s winning LAND-MARK proposal will deliver a ‘fully functional, interactive space for individuals and groups to enjoy shaded comfort and
The work on the first super tall tower in Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is going as per the schedule and it will be completed in early 2022.
DMCC, the master developer of Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), said that its Uptown Tower project is 20 percent complete.
This 81-storey Uptown Tower will stand at 340 metres featuring 188 luxury hotel rooms and suites, exclusive restaurants, health spas, extensive conference facilities, “Grade A” offices with large efficient floor plates, and 229 branded residences.
iconic views of the Dubai skyline.’ Second place was awarded to Fabrica Architects of Turkey and third place to Ragaie Architects of Egypt.
Dubai Creek Harbour is a major new mixed-use scheme 33km north-east of the Expo 2020 Dubai site. The 550ha development is backed by UAE developer Emaar and will transform a previously undeveloped inland waterfront site a short distance from the Burj Khalifa skyscraper and Dubai International Airport. It is expected to have 48,500 residential units and a population of 175,000 when completed.
In January 2019, DMCC awarded the Uptown Tower construction contract to Six Construct and as of this month, enabling, piling and substructure works have been completed.
The tower is designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. This Uptown Tower replicates the brilliance of diamonds through its faceted glass façade that illuminates the interior spaces with natural light while filtering out harsh glare.
Middle East Architectural Network (MEAN), a UAEbased design firm has presented a proposal of a 3D printed concrete roundabout pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai. The Boulevard Roundabout Pavilion, an 8-meter structure, resembles the palm tree.
Inspired by the story of the Expo 2020 Logo and the palms of the UAE, the architectural firm conceived an “interactive installation that symbolises the ethos of sustainability and innovation”. Assembled on-site, the project puts in place a walk-through spatial forest of 3D printed concrete elements, cast with Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC). Solar panels installed on the structure would be strategically tilted for maximum solar exposure and to deter the sand buildup.
The structure of the Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is now complete. The Sustainability Pavilion names as Terra represents the planet Earth. The pavilion will take visitors on an immersive and emotional journey through the wonders of the natural world and teach them the way to create a better, more sustainable future.
The pavilion, approximately covers 25,000 sqm (to give you an idea, The Louvre, Abu Dhabi is 24,000 sqm), with 6,300 sqm of exhibition area. It has been designed as net-zero energy and net-zero water building, which means the pavilion generates all of its own power and water needs.
The pavilion has more than 1,050 solar panels installed, arranged on the 130-metre wide canopy and on the locally-designed energy trees that dot
The proposal is also powered with solar energy and can be programmed to light up at night with a variety of lighting modes. The structure will be fitted with branching LED lights.
the landscape and rotate to face the sun, like a sunflower.
Whalley and his team have designed the building as a permanent structure for legacy and then redesigned it as a temporary structure for the six months of Expo 2020 Dubai.
La Vie, the luxurious waterfront residential tower in the heart of the thriving Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) has launched recently. La Vie, the project designed by Woods Bagot has got the resortlike look. The towers feature 36 levels of premium apartments with sea views, luxury amenities, and a private beach club.
Perfectly situated in JBR’s seafront location, La Vie completes the JBR skyline, serving as a capstone for this highly visited, iconic destination in Dubai. The new development will comprise 269 units with one to four-bedroom apartments and penthouses. The design emphasises a series of contemporary
spaces that seamlessly flow from the interior to the exterior.
The development centres on the concept of contemporary waterfront living are inspired by the movement and the energy of the ocean. This is evident in the intricate façades, which consist of a series of tampered balconies that cascade effortlessly from the tower to the sea.
Havelock One has completed the fit-out works for the VOX Cinemas at Nakheel Mall, The Palm Jumeirah at UAE. This 6,000 sqm project has 15 theatres with more than 900 seats and additional 26 slots designed to provide ample space for wheelchair users who have dedicated elevator access across the two floors. Of these theatres, four offers a finedining experience with their own VIP lounges, one features a MAX mega-screen with 282 spacious premium view seats and a KIDS auditorium, also
equipped with a comfortable reception and play area.
Havelock One’s scope covered the full turnkey fitout from shell and core, i.e. the steel structure for the cinema stadia and plant rooms, the complete MEP works, acoustical ceilings and walls, and all interior finishes including gypsum, cladding (marble, ceramic, carpet, vinyl and terrazzo), wallpapers and paint, decorative glass and metal works, and firerated doors.
Please use BOLD / CAPITAL LETTERS ONLY
Mr/Ms:
Designation: Company: Address1: Address 2: VAT Reg. No
City: _______________________ Pin Code: _______________ State: Tel: ___________________________________ Fax: _____________________________________
Mobile: _________________________________ Email: ___________________________________
Payment Details: Cash / Cheque / Digital __________________________________________________
How strongly will you recommend this magazine to someone on a scale of 1 to 10: Year (6 issues) 300 AED
Please use bold & capital letters only The mode of payment should be via Cash / Cheque / Digital favouring F and F Middle East FZ- LLC P lease write your name and address on the back of the cheque
Orders once placed will not Please allow a minimum of 4 weeks to process the order
Subscribe to Window & Facade Magazine Middle East by completing the form and sending it to F and F Middle East FZ- LLC For further queries write to: me@wfmmedia.com be terminated or transferred
