Structure and special features of element façades
Element façades consist of at least storey-high individual elements that can be made of a wide variety of materials. In addition to classic glass fronts, sun blinds, lighting, windows and more can also be integrated. Media elements, so-called media façades, are also possible. The profiles are usually made of extruded aluminium and are usually custom-made, as every building project is different and has its own peculiarities.
The individual components of element facades are manufactured in advance in workshops and assembled directly on site. On the construction site itself, the finished modules only have to be anchored to the building. By manufacturing the building elements in workshops, potential faults can be detected earlier and more efficiently and corrected directly on the component.
Rungs arranged horizontally, vertically or at an angle to each other form the grid of the basic framework. In addition to quadrilaterals, which are usually as high as a storey, more individual shapes are becoming possible, such as triangles or organic designs.
The time-saving assembly is carried out storey by storey from bottom to top and can be done without scaffolding. After delivery, the prefabricated elements are cleaned of dust and any dirt and then lifted to the right height by crane and installed directly. This is particularly practical for buildings with more than twenty storeys, as scaffolding would lose significant stability at this height.
Areas of application for element façades
Element façades are particularly suitable for large, uniformly designed façade areas.
The cost-effective and time-efficient assembly of element facades results in some typical areas of application:
- Hospitals
- Universities and colleges
- Multi-party residential buildings
- Public buildings and offices
- Skyscrapers
The modernisation of existing buildings is also possible in a cost-efficient way with element facades. The new façade can simply be built around the old building, thus significantly improving not only the appearance but also the energy balance.
In addition to existing buildings, element facades are of course also suitable for new buildings. The comparatively small amount of space required is a great advantage, especially in densely built-up areas, in order to save costs and time already during construction.
Advantages of element façades
In addition to the advantages already mentioned, there are other reasons to use element facades for modernisation and new buildings.
Assembly
Due to the delivery of the individual components as permanently assembled building elements, the assembly time is significantly reduced compared to other types of façades. In addition, delivery is just-in-time and the components do not normally have to be stored for a long time. The assembly is also virtually weather-independent.
Space saving
Every square metre saved is worth its weight in gold, especially in construction projects that are being built in densely populated and built-up areas. Since the façade elements do not have to be stored for a long time, there is no need for a large storage area. Another advantage is that no space is needed to assemble the components, as they arrive at the construction site already fully assembled.
Building operation
In most cases, no extensive intervention in the existing building is necessary during the assembly of element facades, so that building operations can continue largely undisturbed.
Individuality
Not all element façades are the same, and a wide variety of materials means that a wide variety of customer requirements can be met without any problems. In addition to glass and other covering elements, opening elements, sun shades or glare protection can also be installed. The lighting or greening of façades is also an option. With the Schüco USC 65 unitised façade, for example, consistently narrow face widths of only 65 mm all round provide interesting design options. The Schüco AF UDC 80 allows the use of larger units and unit weights as well as different unit geometries for increased architectural flexibility. The use of alternative materials (e.g. natural stone) in opaque areas also makes your unitised façade a visual eye-catcher.
Realisation time
By assembling the elements in an external workshop, potential faults can be detected and eliminated at an early stage. This significantly reduces the quality assurance and maintenance process - in terms of both time and money. Calculated over an entire building project, the implementation time can be well below that of a comparable project without unitised façades. With the Schüco AF UDC 80, the fabrication time has been significantly reduced compared to its predecessor, the Schüco USC 65. This enables the rapid implementation of large and small projects.
Process reliability
Due to fabrication in external workshops and just-in-time production, the building project can be planned very precisely, as large-scale failures are unlikely or can be effectively intercepted. The high degree of prefabrication in the workshops also guarantees ongoing quality controls, which ensure that the components are in perfect condition.
