Aluminium cars with is concentrated reflection of sunlight due to the facades convex shape . Quickly rectified , the problem did nothing to abate the problems of sustainable high rise , but only to open up the debate again .
Over the years King Charles has also weighed in and offered his opinion on sustainability and architecture , in fact , he was seen as a little outspoken when he warned us about likely climate change over forty years ago . In 1984 King Charles , in a lecture to the Royal Institute of British Architects , called a proposed extension to London ’ s National Gallery a “ monstrous carbuncle ”. The speech went down in history , and , at the time his intervention annoyed many architects , but most would now agree that King Charles ’ opinion helped to hold back some inappropriate designs at the time which resulted in more harmonious buildings being commissioned that complemented our UK cities architectural heritage . Whilst glazing placed in punched openings has long been used in architecture down the centuries since the advent of glass , this should not mean that it is the only way we should construct our buildings .
Aluminium , strong and very light , works perfectly with glass to create a building envelope . Glazing with an aluminium support structure can be easy to clean and maintain with good weathering characteristics . Correctly designed , it can offer unpowered natural ventilation for the interior , can harness solar energy for heating as well as incorporating high levels of insulation and shading when the sunshine is out , keeping the buildings occupants comfortable all year round .
It is also important to point out that not all our glazed facades used in skyscrapers are just glazing . Whilst architects can be free to design using the clean and minimal line of aluminium and glass externally , a large proportion of the visible ‘ glazing ’ can contain insulated spandrel panels and additional internal back up walls which can offer very high levels of insulation and could incorporate renewables technology such as photovoltaics .
Completed in February 2013 , One Angel Square Manchester attained a BREEAM ‘ Outstanding ’ rating and remains as one of the most sustainable large buildings in Europe . Utilising natural resources , the facade maximises passive solar gain for heat by using natural ventilation through its double-skin facade , the building also incorporates adiabatic cooling systems which helps to keep the building cool and comfortable on sunny summer days . Designed by 3DReid in May 2009 , the success of this building demonstrates that we have had the technology to build such sustainable glazed structures for some time .
Not all our facades using glass and aluminium can be viewed as ‘ glazed ’ structures . Aluminium , due to its ease of forming and extensive life expectancy , either powder coated or anodised , can be used to offer complete design freedom . In London city , The Forge aspires to be the first commercial building constructed and operated in line with the UKGBC ’ s net zero carbon definition and energy reduction targets . Anticipated to achieve a BREAAM ‘ Excellent ’ rating , the construction is the world ’ s first large-scale office scheme to be built using a standardised “ kit of parts ”. An approach known as ‘ platform design for manufacture and assembly ’ ( P-DfMA ), which applies the advances made by the manufacturing industry translated into today ’ s construction methodology . The UK and Europes leading aluminium systems companies ,
‘
Aluminium , due to its ease of forming and extensive life expectancy , either powder coated or anodised , can be used to offer complete design freedom
’ all members of CAB , continue to develop new aluminium systems with innovative thermal insulation technology . Thanks to aluminium ’ s material properties , the wide range of processing possibilities , it ’ s endless recyclability , we believe that aluminium offers a sustainable external envelope solution . Together with high rise facades , aluminium is equally at home in the residential home improvement market , something that discerning homeowners are now recognising .
Sustainable aluminium systems offer architects and facade engineers the ‘ kit ’ they need to design stunning and exceptional facades for the future of our low-carbon , high rise cities and our developing suburban landscape .
www . c-a-b . org . uk
CLEARVIEW-UK . COM DECEMBER 2022
35