Nowadays architects increasingly implement adaptive and responsive architecture in their designs to enable buildings to adjust to changing environmental conditions in real time. In many instances, they use facades to reach these goals. This article discusses this trend and the role of alucobond architectural features.
Goal and regulating methods
The main goal of adaptive and responsive facades is to ensure comfortable and healthy working and living conditions in a building. This is achieved by using specific materials and techniques to regulate the influence of environmental conditions.
There are various ways to implement facades in adaptive and responsive architecture. Usually, architects and designers fit the type of facade needed, into one of the following three categories:
- Static: The regulation of environmental influences can be static. When the exterior of the building is cladded with aluminium, for instance, it may be enough to cope with the environmental conditions and keep the temperature inside the building comfortable.
- Manual: Facades can also be designed to be manually responsive. The exterior can, for example, be designed in such a way that windows can be opened and closed by hand.
- Automatic: With modern technology, architects can design facades that have sections or elements programmed to move mechanically or electronically when the environmental situation changes. For example, with the correct programming shutters can close or open when the speed of wind or sun rays intensity changes during the day. Aluminium panels can even be programmed to follow the sun for maximum solar use.
Examples
In many instances, facades are created with an alucobond design. With the Rue de Bercy renovation in Paris, for instance, alucobond gold metallic panels were used to create a golden facade to keep the building naturally warm. The architects integrated rotating shutters to move with the angle of the sun and that enhances the warming capacity. Aluminium panels were used because they are lightweight and strong and, therefore, make the rotating movement easy.
An example where adaptive and responsive alucobond white shutters are used to combat strong wind and direct sunlight is the exterior of the St Joseph Maternity Clinic in Paris. The alucobond characteristics make it the best choice for the shutters.
Alucobond panels can also be used to decrease unwanted sounds such as traffic noise. Movable aluminium window shutters are popular to regulate noise levels.
Why alucobond?
There are various reasons why alucobond plays a great role in adaptive and responsive architecture. Let’s mention a few of these reasons:
- Strong and lightweight – Aluminium’s strength-to-weight ratio makes it ideal to use with lightweight mechanisms.
- Provides a long life.
- Needs minimal maintenance.
- Reduces heat transfer.
- Can be recycled.
- Is cost-effective. Contact an aluminium outlet to get the alucobond cladding price.
Conclusion
Architects include more and more adaptive and responsive architecture in their designs. Whether the facade incorporates sun-shading, or noise reduction, alucobond has proved that it is always the best choice.
