Glass and Aluminium - An Example of Innovative Façade Design

Iris Maniatis, Barbara Siebert
Ingenieurbüro Dr.Siebert

Modern facades have developed from the traditional single-layered framed window glazing to load carrying, high performance glass structures. Besides their protective functions, the primary aims are visual design intent and performance. The dominating materials used for the façades of the new AUDI Terminal buildings are glass and aluminium. They illustrate an innovative design to the combination of glass and perforated aluminium. A new and worldwide corporate identity design was developed for the AUDI sale centres. Especially the façade elements are part of the corporate identity design. The cladding consists of perforated and folded aluminium panels and is visually broken up by transparent double glazing units. For the glazed parts different façade options were developed which are a standardised curtain walling system with mullions and transoms or a full-height glazing with vertical glass fins. The so called "AUDI Terminals" were designed by the Munich based Architects Allmann, Sattler, Wappner. The AUDI Terminal in Munich is the worldwide largest centre so far and has an overall exhibition area of 2250m2. Space and light are optimised and by restricting the materials to concrete, aluminium and glass the architects achieved a unified look. This paper outlines the design of the Terminal buildings and describes the detailing and the structural design of the façade in Munich. Furthermore special design requirements are explained.

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The Authors

	Dr. Iris Maniatis Senior Researcher Universität der Bundeswehr München Read more
	Mrs. Barbara Siebert Dr.-Ing. Ingenieurbüro Dr. Siebert Barbara Siebert, born 1967, received her civil engineering degree from TU München. Her doctor’s thesis about the calculation of point helded glasses was accepted 2003. After some years as employee ... Read more