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FA A D E TE CH N OL OG Y

WINTECH
Complex Geometry Faade Design
Innovation to meet the aspirations of architecture

Complex Geometry Faade Design

Modern architecture is entering an exciting new phase. Traditional boundaries limiting architectural vision and concept no longer apply. Contemporary state of the art buildings require similarly advanced design techniques to successfully implement such complex geometric facades.

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F A A D E S T R AT E G Y

An envelope does not stand in isolation, it defines presence and purpose; it is the expression of the creative process. In addition to the architectural statement the faade breathes, it insulates and protects. Wintech believes that balancing form and function should not be a constrictive process. Offsite construction methods utilised to execute such complex facades require highly accurate and carefully co-ordinated design information. To maintain cost plans and the construction programme robust design solutions must be employed which can be efficiently installed. Utilising bespoke systems is often the only viable solution for highly complex facades. An in depth understanding of faade system solutions, materials and manufacturing methods is essential. Wintech is the market leading faade consultancy providing strategic advice.

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FA A D E E N G I N E E R I N G

The faade is often referred to as the skin of a building. It acts as a filter determining the internal environmental conditions. It is the primary environmental modifier and can account for a significant proportion of the project budget. A wide range of skills must be managed and co-ordinated in a holistic approach to ensure the faade performs properly with regard to structural, thermal, acoustic, water ingress and air infiltration requirements. Our team includes physicists, mathematicians, structural engineers, system design specialists, thermal specialists, acousticians and faade engineering experts. Our expertise ranges from the initial concept through all stages of the design process from strategic development through concept, design and monitoring of the final installation. Our team provides a complete pallet of skills necessary to assist with the most ambitious complex geometry facades. An integrated approach embodies architectural vision and aesthetics with practical experience of robust design solutions and inspiration required to go beyond industry boundaries.

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G E O M E T RY

LIGHT Facades admit daylight but control solar gain. Establishing the correct balance and utilising natural daylight is important in creating inner space and minimising energy consumption.

Irregular faade surfaces, single curved, bi-curved, twisted or free forms surfaces developed from discrete planar elements create complex geometry. At Wintech the goal of our research has been to develop methodologies to address these facades.
O P T I M I S AT I O N O F F O R M

THERMAL System design is well established to create thermally efficient frame details. However interface details continue to require careful design. The effects of thermal bridges should be managed and if possible alternate solutions sought.

A key element of our research has been the optimisation of complex geometric surfaces. We have developed unique optimisation algorithms to deliver the most efficient panelisation study possible for a given form. Available techniques can regularise panels within irregular curved surfaces. Gradient similarities within different sections are analysed to enhance the use of repeating panel configurations. Finite amounts of deviation from nodal points may be specified to further optimise the faade construction. Deviation may be either limited to the surface plane only or deviations in faade depth may also be allowed.
PA R A M E T R I C D E S I G N

STRUCTURAL In any complex facade structural design calculations must be undertaken to optimise the system configuration. Structural analysis is integrated into the design philosophy.

Parametric design techniques provide the ideal tools to compliment the optimisation process and realise the architectural vision. Following optimisation the faade model can be populated with intelligent parametric modules. These adaptive modules designed to meet the faade specification are embedded with the actual manufacture information necessary to complete the manufacture and installation of the final faade. This embedded information is permanently linked to the design model changing automatically through design iterations.

M A N U FAC T U R E Embedded manufacture information can be transmitted as a series of 2D drawings. However, we recommend transmittal of this information in its pure digital form. Reductions in timescales are achieved as the digital information may be used to generate CNC control code to drive the manufacture process directly.

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VILLAMAR, BAHRAIN

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C A S E S T U DY

Wintech were approached to provide a solution to the complex geometry presented by the three curved and twisted towers of Villamar at the Harbour, Bahrain. The requirement for a triangulated panelisation was also to be replaced with quadrilateral units. Following a geometry rationalisation process 85% of the 65,000m2 of unitised cladding panels to the towers could be provided by just three repeating panel sizes rather than the thousands of types initially envisaged. Wintech engineered a bespoke unitised system to meet the exacting geometric constraints of the project. It was possible to omit the central diagonal mullion bar by using a twisted carrier frame with a flat glazing carrier unit set in an average plane position.

WINTECH
Wintech Limited (Head Office) Wintech House 280 Woodend Road Wednesfield West Midlands WV11 1YD T: +44(0)1902 307 430 Wintech Limited (London Office) Unit 2 44 St. Pauls Cresent Camden London NW1 9TN T: +44(0) 207 267 1234 www.wintech-group.co.uk enquiries@wintech-group.co.uk

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FAADE TECH N OL OG Y