Integrated Facade Components

Subject
A new approach to the metal-glass faade construction, particularly
with respect to growing demands in terms of its extended
functionality as a part of the technical building concept

Goal
The field of faade construction strongly contributes to a separation
of functions, resulting in added or layered faade compositions. The
research aims at the potential of the integration of installation
components into the physical faade structure.

Expected Results
Strategies for integrated facade components, aiming to rethink
existing patterns, illustrated in form of mock-ups.
Posttower, Bonn 2003

Integrated facade panel

Researcher Tillmann Klein / T.Klein@tudelft.nl

Supervisor Ulrich Knaack / u.knaack@tudelft.nl
Program/Subprogrm Industrial Building / Facades and Systems
Host University Delft University of Technology / Faculty of Architecture
 Integrated Faade Components

Tillmann Klein1, Ulrich Knaack2

1
PhD Researcher, Industrial building, T.Klein@tudelft.nl
2
Supervisor, Design of Construction, U.Knaack@tudelft.nl
Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture

Subject:
This research focuses on the metal-glass faade and its future potential. Its function of separating the
interior and exterior climates provides the faade with a high potential in terms of energy performance
and user comfort. New trends exploiting this potential are incorporating the faade into the climate
concept of the building, extending the traditional functions. The addition of installation components
challenges the boundaries of traditional faade building and the composition of traditional building
teams.

Goals
The field of faade construction strongly contributes to a separation of functions, resulting in added or
layered faade compositions. The research aims at the potential of the integration of installation com-
ponents into the physical faade structure.

Research Question
How can a new approach to the metal-glass faade construction be made, particularly with respect to
growing demands in terms of its extended functionality as a part of the technical building concept?

Strategy
System engineering, especially product architecture, offers a range of vocabulary and methodologies.
The field of faade construction does not explicitly consider product architecture as a strategic ap-
proach. It relies on steps of incremental evolution.
The faade product architecture of existing examples has to be analyzed and evaluated. Desired fa-
ade functionalities are defined, followed by possible geometrical layouts and definition of interfaces.

Expected Results
The results of the research, will be illustrated in practical projects such as mock-ups of faade compo-
nents. The approach will help to rethink the existing patterns in faade construction and open a way
for the implementation of new technologies, adaptable by architects. The research will provide an out-
line of the process steps needed and their interdependencies to develop and evaluate new integrated
faade systems.

Preferred Partners Applications / Sponsors

Faade industry / construction industry

Research Period
2006 - 2010