New design dimension for opaque areas of ventilated façades based on flexible substructures – with a stunning appearance and maximum functionality and cost-effectiveness

In addition to traditional mullion/transom constructions with large glazed sections, the focus of modern architecture is shifting increasingly towards the design of opaque façade areas: with complex forms, colour design and materials, and using state-of-the-art design and fabrication technologies. These types of construction were previously only available as special solutions – predominantly for representative structures, such as cultural buildings or upmarket office blocks. The Schüco Design Cover Concept prototype unveiled at BAU 2015 in Munich shows how in future it will also be possible to design freeform, aesthetically sophisticated opaque ventilated façade cladding for luxury homes and offices as system solutions with a flexible Schüco substructure.

The Schüco Design Cover Concept is based on a combination of unparalleled design freedom for the ventilated façade and the benefits of reliable and efficient fabrication that come with Schüco system façades. A digital catalogue of components and an end-to-end chain of digital supporting tools ensure a closed workflow from a single source – from design and planning through to fabrication. Diverse surface shapes and materials – such as coloured sheet-metal shapes that are folded, pre-punched or curved, and whose joints are barely visible – based on flexible Schüco substructures can therefore be used in the building envelope.

Design

• Maximum design freedom for opaque ventilated façade surfaces: complex surface geometries and diverse materials are possible
• Inconspicuous joints for a uniform surface appearance
• Digital Schüco design tools and catalogues of components for safe and efficient design
• Individual, creative differentiation instead of industrial standardisation