Martens Glass commercial building

Martens Glas from Hoogstraten celebrates its 50th anniversary with a brand-new company building where the Aliplast curtain wall MC Wall is a real eye-catcher. For the meeting rooms, they opted for the VG500 sliding window system.

Architectural innovation in facade design: an in-depth look at vertical and horizontal styles

Designing modern buildings is a complex and challenging task, where not only aesthetics and functionality have to be considered, but also safety and sustainability. An important aspect of building design is the façade, which not only defines the exterior of a building, but also affects its energy efficiency and overall performance.

1. Vertical Stiles with Deep Covers (200mm)
Vertical posts on the exterior of a building play a crucial role in defining its architectural appearance. The addition of deep cover caps with a width of 200 mm has both functional and aesthetic benefits. These covers provide weather protection and add to the visual appeal of the building by creating depth and shade.

2. Horizontal Rails with Standard Covers (15mm)
Horizontal rules contribute to the overall structure of the façade. Using standard 15mm capping on these rules offers a streamlined look and helps create a uniform and modern façade. These rules can be both functional and aesthetic, as they serve as supports for glazing elements while creating a visual break in the façade.

3. Fire escape solutions at the Floor slab
Fire safety is of paramount importance in buildings. In façade designs, special attention should be paid to fire spread solutions. In this case, a specific solution is applied to minimise fire spread, ensuring both the structural integrity and safety of the building.

4. Glazing with Clamped Structure and Insulation
Glazing is a central element in modern façade design. Here, an innovative approach is used with clamped glazing. This means that the outer pane is toughened finished, while the inner pane is toughened enamelit glass. Between these panes is a steel profile and rock wool, which provides both thermal insulation and structural stability.

5. Structural Support with Cross Connectors and Steel Z-Profiles
A challenging aspect of this façade design is the presence of large weights, which can affect the deflection of the horizontal members. To address this, cross connectors and steel Z-profiles are used to distribute the load to the floor slabs and ensure the stability of the façade.

Thus, this façade design not only highlights the aesthetic aspects of architecture, but also demonstrates the complexity of modern building design and its focus on safety and sustainability. It shows how innovative solutions can be applied to address the challenges of façade design in modern buildings, while respecting both functionality and visual appeal. This kind of technical advance is an important step forward in the evolution of architecture and the construction industry as a whole.

Colour: anodised champagne colour
Photos: Yvan Glavie