When a building design and a colored façade join forces, the end result is brilliant and beguiling architecture. A building’s façade system doesn’t merely enhance the performance of a structure. Who can resist the allure of bold reds, cool blues, brilliant yellows? Whether it’s located in a residential or commercial area, a building that boasts a colored façade sheeting design is going to attract positive attention. No one wants to work or live in a building whose dull colors are proof that it has seen better days and is now well past its prime. Color gives a building life.
Why does color have such a powerful effect? Perhaps it’s because color is not only visual. Color communicates the language of a building. When color is combined with texture, finish, light, and shadow, it takes on versatility, conveying a message that may be subtle or dramatic, lively or calming, traditional or contemporary. That message is an architectural marketing tool for the structure. What is your color façade saying to the world?
Identifying The Threats To Colored Facades
Of course, there are considerations that need to be evaluated during the process of choosing the colored façade that’s right for your structure, particularly how to reduce the effects of fading that UV rays can cause, making once-brilliant tones turn drab and dull.
The sun that we love can also be the UV threat that buildings hate. Colors make a creative statement that gives a building its own personality. Intense colors like reds and blues are striking to the eye. However, colors are vulnerable to the elements. Certainly wind, rain, and cold weather are harsh on a structure, but so is sunlight. A colored façade design, those ventilated layers of plastic, polycarbonate, glass, wood, and metal that create a three-dimensional impression, also is vulnerable to the effects of the elements. In fact, UV rays can not only cause colors to fade, but also have the ability to inflict fundamental deterioration to the sheeting material itself.
We can’t just blame the weather for the fading that can take place over time. Humans have to accept some of the blame. The pollution that causes harm to our respiratory systems and threatens peril to the environment is also an enemy to the inanimate structures in which we live and work and play. Pollution robs colored facades of their dynamic appearance over time. The grime that coats a surface leads to dullness until a once-brilliant red erodes into a drab pink. When that happens, a building that was once an eye-catching asset to a community begins to look tired and worn, diminishing the appearance of the entire neighborhood.
The colors that make the boldest statement—red, blue, yellow—are also those that are the most likely to fade from the effects of UV rays. Unfortunately, UV radiation is brutal on pigmentation.
Danpal R&D Supports Long Life For Colored Facades
It’s significant that Danpal, the company that has blazed an innovative path in the construction industry for over half a century, maintains a presence on five continents. Experiencing weather on five continents teaches engineers and designers a lot about how to match materials to weather zones. In order to assist a translucent façade in the maintaining of its color brilliance, Danpal products are manufactured to meet the specific demands of their different environmental factors. Products may be adapted for hot or cool climates in dry or wet regions. In order to choose materials that will give the colors of a façade system a longer life, choose Danpal products. We know our colors and we know how to make them last!
As often as we make decisions based upon color specification—a new car, a new dress, new living room furniture, even a pair of shoes—we often still fail to realize how our assessment of a product is intricately connected to our own personality. Color has meaning. In many Western cultures, black symbolizes mourning and death. Mourning in Eastern societies is often noted by the color white which, in the West, is a traditional preference for wedding gowns. What’s the reason for these dramatic differences in color perceptions? First of all, color preferences are subjective. . You may love the color blue, but can you explain why? You see the difficulty that can arise when a client tries to explain personal color preferences in terms of architecture. A design can’t come to fruition based solely on a fondness for the color blue. Color specification and architecture can, when external attributes such as cultural influences, environmental factors, and even energy efficiency are appropriately weighed in, yield a stunning result that performs its functional role while satisfying esthetic expectations.
Color Specification And Double Skin Facades
We see with our eyes, but our eyes see with our brains. That’s why an architect is charged with creating a design that matches our needs and wants with the purpose of a structure. While the proposed function of a building determines its intrinsic design, color specification is still a significant consideration when assessing how the structure will blend into its particular environment and how it will be used by the occupants. A gymnasium will have a very different appearance from a boutique, for example, and yet, even with these decidedly different structures, there are areas in which color specification matters.
Architectural innovation embarked upon a new direction in the twentieth century with the development of double skin facades. In this process, a building’s enclosing wall is separated from the structure, giving the architect greater flexibility in developing the design. As consumers prioritized energy efficiency and personal comfort, the popularity of double skin facades accelerated. The results include improved thermal insulation, a healthier environment through natural ventilation, expanded use of natural light, and a reduction in the demand for heating and cooling.
As the functional aspects of architectural curtain wall and cladding improve a building’s energy efficiency, color specification improves its esthetic appeal. Again, the human brain reacts to the allure of color in very different ways, making this dimension one which develops a new direction for architects and their design.
The Influence Of Color Specification
Architecture is influenced by the varying perceptions that we have of color. As we have noted, architects employ color to add to a building’s attractiveness by appealing to the human affinity for beauty. Color affects our mood and our productivity and can even affect their personal wellbeing.
Through the deliberate application of color, a building’s exterior can either catch the eye of passers-by or subtly blend into the surrounding area. Muted colors make a surface seem larger; vivid colors shrink the dimensions.
Certain colors automatically trigger dynamic attention. Bold, bright red summons a response. Yellow is a popular choice of color for day care centers and elementary schools where children respond to its brightness and cheer. Studies have shown that blue has calming properties that can actually lower blood pressure. Blue light, which slows the production of melatonin, increases alertness. Because it is so often used for external cladding and internal office space, it conjures an impression of depth. Nature lovers who spend their days in office buildings welcome the color green, which is also a restful color. Likewise, brown evokes the natural environment. White, a clean, pure color, has a special popularity for architects and their clients. Achromatic gray, sometimes seen as not a color at all, evokes a sense of balance. Black is a powerful color with both visual and emotional effects on viewers.
Color specification is one of the building blocks of an architect’s design. Through the use of color, an architect creates a structure which not only inspires attention, but also has the power to improve human wellbeing.
When an architect is hired to design building façades, the question of what might be your favorite color isn’t likely to be the first one asked. Yet, color is such an important aspect of architectural design and it plays a distinct role in the ultimate appearance of the structure. Color is not just the reds, blues, and yellows that we see on an artist’s palette. Color is built upon shade, light, texture, and finishes that render a building unique and give it its own personality. Danpal’s polycarbonate facades are renowned for both the strength that enables them to stand up to the weather elements and for their dazzling array of colors that rival the rainbow. We invite you to learn more about how expanding your understanding of color will help you make the better choice when it comes to choosing building facades.
Considering The Role Of Color In Building Facades
Gone is the boring architecture of a bygone era where color seemed to play no part in the architectural vision of a community or in iconic buildings. Not so today, where a building’s exteriors and interiors come alive with shades and finishes that transform light and color into a brilliant canvas. By uniting a building material with specific choices of color, building facades redefine the range of artistic options in architectural design.
How Color Gives Building Facades Their Unique Appearance
Color is a visual impression. Color is a temperature. Color is a state of mind. Color is all of these things and more, which means that building facades and their use of color can turn a structure into the focal point of its setting. On its own, a polycarbonate façade is simply a construction that’s remarkable for its impact resistance, for being both lighter and stronger than glass, and for being so easy to work with. But when it’s embellished with color, and nuances are added with shade, building facades made of polycarbonate are as aesthetically appealing as they are durable. Color itself is flexible enough to change depending upon how light, shade, sheen and other colors affect the ultimate product. The appearance of building facades differs depending upon how it interacts with light and texture; a smooth surface will scatter light differently from a rough surface.
How Architects Make Their Color Decisions
Colors don’t exist in a vacuum. Instead, they respond to each other. The color scheme for a building façade processes all the details—solar gain, esthetics, materials—that build upon the attributes of a polycarbonate façade. The superior performance of building facades, paired with its visual appeal, deliver a finished product that enhances both a residential and a commercial landscape. Danpal’s expertise in the building industry is based upon the cutting-edge innovation of our products, and the deep understanding of the subjective role that aesthetics plays in making those important decisions about building facades.
The Way Color Influences Energy Efficiency In Building Facades
In the same way that you’re unlikely to dress in solid black on a day when the forecast predicts hot, humid weather, your building can’t operate at maximum efficiency if it’s not wearing the right colors. If an exterior wall is dark, it can absorb as much as 70 to 90 percent of radiant sun energy. But with façade paints, solar gain can be reduced the use of heat-reflective technology. What’s going on inside a building is definitely affected by how it’s handling the weather taking place outside. Put your polycarbonate façade to the best use by making color part of your overall energy plan!
With polycarbonate for strength and color for appearance, the building facades that adorn structures are a perfect marriage between esthetics and performance. Finding an answer to the question “What’s your favorite color?” will take you on an architectural artistic journey!
Today we hear from Shaul Givoni, a Danpal employee of 50 years, who was instrumental in the company’s initial creation and growth.
Shaul recalls his story for us, as well as several highlights in his career, which remind us that his story is also the story of Danpal.
“This October, I am summarizing my 50 consecutive years of work at Danpal! I think that few people in Israel today, work for so many years, especially in one place!
After being discharged from the army in 1965, I returned to the agricultural industry where I worked as a teenager, during my high school years at Kibbutz Dan. The Director in charge of the Agriculture of the Kibbutz, asked me to join Milk Meiri in establishing a new agricultural sector within the industry, specifically avocados. After about a year, I was asked to go out and help a young Kibbutz, which was then called C.S. (Community Service). We left Kibbutz Dan and we moved to Kibbutz Nachshon, where I had also met my future partner Bilha, and upon finishing my “service” in Nachshon, I returned to the avocado industry. After getting married in 1969, we moved for 10 months to Bilha’s Kibbutz, Gan Shmuel, where I was assigned to work in the Kibbutz’s canning factory where the industrial passion also stuck.
When we returned to Dan in October 1970, I informed Milk that I was moving to work at Danpal, (referring to the historic Danpal that began producing various products for the construction industry from P.V.C.).
I started learning the extrusion profession and after about three months, I was trained as a shift manager, and within three years, I was appointed as a Production Manager, which I held for seven years. Once finished with my role as a production manager, we had just purchased a print line of profiles for folding doors, where I spent the following two years with Ita Dan.
It was then that a “historic” event took place, the late Dov Hanis, a representative of “Sukkit” in Israel, the importer of General Electric’s polycarbonate, brought us two PC bags for testing. Together with Nir Ben Zvi (Development Director from our PVC line), we produced several samples, which I took with me to the plastic exhibition in Düsseldorf (I think in 1978). Dov then arranged a meeting with General Electric, where our product was examined and exclaimed as “VERY GOOD!” but it was not the right product for them.
On the forklift in the historic PVC pile
Following this, Dov introduced us to an Israeli architect, Barry Bezner, who at the time was plying his trade in Italy. Barry, who at the time was well acquainted with the European market, also agreed with the assessment given by General Electric. As a result, Barry decided to help us, by leveraging his considerable experience and design something more “appropriate”.
From there I traveled by train to Varese, Italy to visit the Omipa Factory, which Dov had also recommended. Omipa was considered as a pioneer in the production of certain polycarbonate lines, and I recall being very impressed and left with a positive attitude.
We managed to convince Beny Rosen, Director of Danpal, and Amiram Efrati, Director of Dan Industries, with the idea, and from there, we set off.
After due consideration, we bought two production lines from Omipa, built Hall No. 1, and went on to run the line in Italy. Within a short time, we brought production to Israel, and with the help of Shalom Peled (who had by then joined our team), we installed and ran the line in Dan! At the time, the only product we produced, was a standard panel with “feet” 10m long with a width of 400mm. This was the product designed by Barry Bezner, and for which we received our first international patent, which we then held for twenty years!
Initially, we called the factory U-REX but because of a potential conflict, with another factory that had a similar name, we changed it to “Danpalon”. It soon became clear to us, that the world was not yet ready for our new panel, and from there Nir’s hard work began. Nir’s main efforts were spent convincing potential customers in various countries, that there was indeed a place for our product in the architectural market. Our first customer abroad was Henrik Sokuler, a Jewish Holocaust survivor, who owned a factory called “Everlite” in Denmark. In 1982, the first container packed with our new Danpalon panel left Danpal bound for Everlite. Not long after, Sokoler also managed to convince us, to adjust our panels to a width of 600 mm, and from there we never looked back!
Our first significant project in Israel was the Central Train Station in Arlozorov Tel Aviv designed by Rozov, a well-known architect based in Haifa. Rozov dared to use our new unconventional product on a large project, which until then, would have been completely unheard of and deemed too risky.
Installation of a pedestrian crossing in Danpal – The first experimental installation in the world.
Initially, we persevered through several difficult years, which may be considered inevitable for a young start-up, such as ours. In due course as the market responded to our revolutionary product, sales improved, and our turnover increased by many times over. In those early years, shifts were operated by Dan Kibbutz members, and my responsibility was to run production both days and nights! Nir and I both felt a huge commitment to the factory’s success, and in 1983, this responsibility was compounded by the crisis with the banks/Kibbutz. As a result, the initial loan by the Kibbutz for the establishment of the plant weighed heavily on the community.
Our efforts eventually paid off, as sales-driven turnover increased by leaps and bounds until we reached the full utilization of our first production line. We then decided to purchase a second, then third production line, and so on… until the eighth line was installed at our subsidiary in Spain. Looking back, I regard myself as privileged, to have been involved in the design of a large portion of our Danpal products. Beyond this, I am proud to have had positive input on the development of various technologies, such as our various UV protection technology, and improvements in production.
I will spare you the entire history, our Danpal veterans know most of it, but we have added products, customers, and established subsidiaries around the world, up until the global crises of 2008. The crises severely affected our customers, and as a company, we also suffered additional blows that impacted our growth. These include new competitors entering our markets around the world, patents that we had held, which started expiring, and our products being unscrupulously copied!
Currently, we are finding new and innovative ways to enhance our manufacturing practices, develop exciting new products, and improve customer experience.
So, to summarize my 50 consecutive years with Danpal, and 55 years of work in general and if I include work during high school, I have been at it for at least 61 years! I have not yet retired, I am still here, and I continue to provide the factory with valuable input, learned from my long years of service.
It is with great pride that from the early initiative started by both Nir and me, we have reached hundreds of families from around the world, who now make a living from Danpal. We also have supplied thousands of projects from all over the world, and here in Israel, some of them being recognized as prestigious. Our considerable debts to the Kibbutz were all settled and repaid to the very last penny, and today the Kibbutz is in a solid financial condition.
In finishing, I would like to wish all the workers in our Danpal factories, a good future, good health, and most importantly a quick exit from the Corona crisis.”
Shaul Givoni
1. What comes to mind when I say “Danpal”?
For me, it’s the main creation force in my life, a place where I had spent a large part of the day, generated my livelihood, built friendships, through who I saw the world, and our clients’ projects.
2. What do you think of Danpal’s strengths as a company?
The family atmosphere, the dedication of most of the employees, the tremendous experience and knowledge accumulated here and in our subsidiaries.
3. What was the reason for the transition from PVC in the beginning to today’s PC?
As I wrote in my letters, it was a fortunate change that came about, due to our interactions with several key role-players at the time.
This enabled us to move into a new industry, the architectural industry, and away from an already well-established and successful agricultural irrigation industry.
4. Looking back, what was our most significant developments and innovations?
On the roof of the stadium in Macau, China. One of the biggest projects in Asia.
Of course, the most significant development was our first Danpalon panel, using our new connection method (what is called feet or in English standing seam) creating an integrated system.
This meant that the practice of customers needing to cut boards of say 2.1 meters wide (at the time supplied by our competitors), to the desired width, and then connecting them using their own methods, could become a thing of the past.
Using a connector from the same material, which is a hidden connection system that does not require drilling through the board, is a patent we registered for the connection method.
We were the first in the world to produce UV-protected panels using the extrusion line method, in contrast to the method developed by General Electric and used by several manufacturers.
The next significant development was a 16mm panel, with five air spaces on which we also received a patent, and which improved insulation properties significantly.
It is followed by all our industrial Danpalon panels, developed for the Spanish market, which were also unique in the manner in which the panels connected to each other edge to edge.
The next development was the 604 transparent panel, on which Gal was granted a patent using the Danpalon connection method.
Another development was the Controlite concept, which we also patented, but for various reasons, we did not market enough, but which provides a unique solution of variable light control throughout the day.
We have also pioneered the development of panels with colored partitions for decoration and shading purposes.
Finally, I think that our current development of integrated systems using advanced aluminum profiles, and our double-walled solutions (Danpatherm K7 & Danpatherm K12). Systems acting as carriers for fiberglass insulation and LED lighting systems, all supplied with various permits for fire, water and air penetration.
5. What do you wish for the company in the future?
Of course, the continued development of our existing product lines, but also entry into new markets that will remain viable for many years to come.
6. What developments and innovations do you think we need to step up successfully?
We have two options, to delve deeper into developing better solutions in our field of architectural glazing, and to open ourselves to new innovative industries as well. The field of extrusion is fairly limited by the very method of production, but if we apply some creativity and investment, I have full confidence in success!
7. What would you like to say to the new and young employees in the group who are just starting out in Danpal?
I think that the future is not entirely predictable and so depends on us, so new employees should deepen their knowledge, whether by way of formal education or self-study (as I did).
Often young people today, are not exposed to manual labor and shift work, as we might have been in the past. So today, the road to an incentivized career path for future Danpal employees, needs some thinking.
8. What do you think the future for the global polycarbonate industry?
This industry can be said to be in a certain type of crisis, as large amounts of material had been diverted to the disc industry, which has since fallen drastically. In our specific field, the main obstacle to growth, for which we need to find solutions is for fire regulations.
With the ongoing tightening of standards and requirements, finding solutions in this area as well as in others, such as extending the service life of the panels, is critical.
We would like to take this moment to thank Shaul, for his immense input to Danpal, one which should never be undervalued. Shaul has become an icon at Danpal, and has shown us all what is possible when consistency is partnered with belief and effort.
In Paris, the land is rare and expensive. It is on the site previously occupied by the Jules Ladoumègue Sports Stadium that the walls of a new Maintenance and Storage Site (SMR) for the T3 tramway line have just been built.
It was unthinkable that the Jules Ladoumègue would no longer offer its sports facilities to the district – so the stadium was simply rebuilt on the roof of the new building and now faces the ring road. Today, it includes a soccer field, a rugby field, and as a buffer between them and the noise of the traffic, a long building housing tennis courts.
The west wall is Controlite®, with integrated brise soleil to protect from strong light and manage solar gain.
On the Facades east side, the Jules Ladoumègue Sports Complex, which faces the sports fields, the Danpalon® wall is covered by a horizontal wooden lattice filter. Dietmar Feichtinger, the project architect, designed it as “a kind of artificial landscape, evocative of the synthetic grass”.
The covered tennis courts are a nod to the new Paris Philharmonic concert hall, located in the neighboring park of La Villette, with alternating red and transparent Danpalon® panels evocative of piano keys. “Red is a color that also features inside, in various materials, such as the cloth on the ceiling. It’s a theme that runs through the building”, concludes Dietmar Feichtinger making the Jules Ladoumègue Sports Complex an outstanding area for multi-sports.
Imposing in size but well-integrated in its environment, the Newhaven Energy Recovery Facility on quite a difficult terrain, along the Ouse river, wedged between heterogeneous industrial buildings and residential areas, along a regional park.
The building is partially buried and emerges from the ground only 27 m high out of the 45 m required for the waste treatment process that is carried out over 200 m in length.
All that can be seen has been softened, rounded, curved to visually blur the building and reduce the impact on the environment. The building exterior is designed in three parts, which correspond to different stages of waste treatment.
On one side, the waste is received under a steel cladding, whereas at the other end an apse in porous textile covers the cooling elements. Between the two, a huge Danpalon® hall covers the processing pit and the heart of the system. During the day, light enters and lights up the installations. At night, the continuous activity of the building is gently enhanced with minimal light pollution.
In slightly cloudy weather, the milky appearance of the cladding allows it to almost merge with the sky, thus minimizing the visual impact of the imposing building. It was a difficult architectural choice to have made transparent what is usually opaque, and curve what is usually square. A choice that has had a positive effect as this treatment center has not been subject to the usual controversies that these kinds of projects are generally known to face.
The wall panels that are used in Danpal facades create a façade that exhibits the superior performance that clients have come to expect from the veteran company, along with the remarkable inclusion of light for which Danpal is well known. These insulated translucent wall panels are an attractive alternative to the traditional large glass windows that were often seen in the past. While those windows did admit light into an area, they were unable to block the accompanying glare that was an inevitable side effect of the natural light. Danpal’s insulated translucent wall panels are designed to bring in the light and block the glare, as well as provide superior energy efficiency to the building.
The Advantages Of The Insulated Translucent Wall Panels
The translucent panels are designed to diffuse the amount of light that enters an area, creating a soothing glow that lends itself to the atmosphere that’s preferable for reading, writing, or quiet conversation. Because of the reduced glare, employees working at their desks can benefit from the natural light without suffering from irritating glare. Danpal has developed panels that have shading functions; the settings for these panels can be adjusted to suit personal comfort levels for customers as well as workers. The translucent facades have UV blockers to remove any harm that the sun could cause as well as lower the heat index. Doing without the glare and the risk of sunburn is a bonus of Danpal’s insulated wall panels that glass fails to provide. The pure effects of the daylight without the glare-free the window from the need for shades or curtains, which would reduce the benefits of the natural light that makes such a difference in the look and feel of a room or a work area.
The Thermal Properties Of Insulated Translucent Wall Panels
Danpathern is a façade system that is designed for excellent thermal properties so that it enhances in the storing of heat while also presenting a barrier to the wind and dirt that are outside. Danpal products are celebrated for their superior thermal properties, which help the heating and cooling systems of the building.
Translucent Wall Panels Are Transformative
We hope we’ve made a convincing argument for why Danpal is the leader in translucent facades. Now we want to explain a little more about the charm of translucent wall systems. You may never have thought of walls as a system before, but in well-integrated architectural designs, walls can contribute not only structurally, but also in terms of energy efficiency, improved visibility, and overall performance.
Sunlight is wonderful. Sunlight is the source of light. But the glare that comes with sunlight is unpleasant. The soft light that comes with translucent wall panels makes a significant difference in the interior appearance of your home. Artificial light is harsh, whether you’re putting on your makeup in the morning before you go to work, or proofing a report before it goes to the printer. Natural light, brought inside and disseminated through translucent cladding panels, lets you see the world in a whole new way.
The Energy Efficiency Of Insulated Translucent Panels
There was a time when windows were regarded as the culprit in energy loss. No one in those days expected humble glazing to be the solution to the problem of escaping energy. But now, thanks to the advances made in construction of both translucent interior wall panels and translucent exterior wall panels, thermodynamic advances maintain an energy efficient balance. In order to understand how insulated translucent wall panels perform, it’s necessary to understand the concept of the building envelope. The building envelope, the structural barrier that exists between a build’s interior and exterior, is what maintains the heating and cooling inside.
We don’t always consider the role of climate control when we’re sitting inside, but that’s okay, because insulated translucent wall panels are taking care of it. The ability to store heat reduces energy costs for the consumer. Maintaining an even, comfortable temperature year-round, through the cold days and the warm ones, is part of what makes Danpal’s translucent building panels so remarkable.
The Hidden Strength of Translucent Facade
Translucent building panels made of polycarbonate defy the conventional concept of what a building material should look like in order to present an impression of strength. But architects who are familiar with the properties of a translucent polycarbonate sheet know that polycarbonate stands up to punishment. It’s 30 times stronger than acrylic and 250 times stronger than glass. Did you know that some police shields are made out of polycarbonate? If polycarbonate can stop a bullet, then translucent building materials made of polycarbonate can stop the rain.
Translucent wall panels can change the way you think about a building. Beautiful to look at, comfortable to live in, economically efficient in terms of energy use, they’re Danpal-designed to make the world a better place, one building at a time.
Different building materials, like anything else, enjoy different cycles of popularity. We’ve come a long way since medieval times when building designers were limited to wood and brick if they were charged with constructing a massive project that would reflect the glory of the reigning monarch. And as April 2019 fire at Notre Dame Cathedral proved, the stone walls and interior were able to withstand the blaze, but the wooden roof and spire could not. In today’s world, we have more durable materials to work with. One of those materials, polycarbonate, is used to make plastic façade panels that are part of countless Danpal projects.
The Advantages Of Using Polycarbonate For Plastic Façade Panels
Polycarbonate façade panels must be stronger than the weather that pounds them on a regular basis and polycarbonate, which is 200 times stronger than tempered glass, has shown itself to be resistant to the elements. In fact, when polycarbonate is co-extruded with advanced inhibitors, it has the capacity to last the life cycle of the building. Polycarbonate thermoplastics are used for safety glasses, riot gear, sports equipment and bullet proofing, so that gives you some idea of just how strong they are. Another advantage of polycarbonate is its flexibility; polycarbonate polymers are able to be curved organically so that they take on the shape of the building. This flexibility displays itself in another unique fashion; although polycarbonate materials are so much stronger than glass, they are actually less than half its weight.
Plastic Façade Panels And Thermal Efficiency
As a society, we are very conscious of the plight of the environment and energy-conscious consumers strive to do what we can to protect the planet. Plastic façade panels are one way to do that. When a polycarbonate thermoplastic is extruded into a multicell panel, it’s possible to achieve U-values below 1.0Ug (W/m2.K). Plastic façade panels made with polycarbonate materials can help a building achieve a green rating, something that’s a mark of excellence in our world today.
The exterior of a building has quite a job to do in order to protect everything on the interior of the structure. It has a functional role in the performance of the structure. It must be strong enough to withstand the onslaught of weather—pouring rain, heavy snow, damaging hail, high winds—that comes along with the seasons. It must also present an attractive appearance that suits the neighborhood in which it is located. If it does all these things, then the exterior can be relied upon to do its job.
Part of the arsenal of defense that a building uses in this mission includes the translucent exterior wall panels which define the success of the structure. That success, proven by the popularity of the product, takes the performance of the panels and highlights it with an impressive visual appeal that expresses the architect’s creative inspiration.
Translucent Exterior Wall Panels Are Weather Barriers
Microcell technology is the magic weapon that Danpal uses to produce its translucent external wall panels, to make them strong enough to hold off the punishment that the four seasons of the year can inflict on a building. Danpal translucent panels also include UV protection from the effects of the sun so that, no matter what weather action is going on in the sky, the building has a defense.
Danpal products consistently deliver on performance, standing up to the elements throughout the year. In addition, they also look good while they’re doing it.
Architects treasure Danpal’s sense of color and creativity in developing translucent wall panels that balance light and offer tonal qualities so that the finished result matches the designer’s original vision.
Green building facades are one of the ways in which architects and climate change have come to an agreement on how to build living and working spaces that prioritize the environment. As the public becomes more committed to a sustainable lifestyle, the construction industry’s research and development engineers and designers have joined forces with architects so that eco friendly façade materials are in the front line of environmental protection. When consumers install sustainable building facades on the outside, they’re bringing comfort to the inside. While facades are doing their job regulating the exchange of heat and light, they’re also helping to keep the temperature regulated inside, and lowering the amount of energy that’s consumed in the process.
The strength of the ecological movement depends on protecting the planet’s natural resources. It also depends upon consumers who are willing to do their part. Green building façade design can alter the future of our society as we work together to prioritize Planet Earth. There are different types of green facades, but the final result is the same: a building that does not make this century’s environmental crisis worse.
Sustainable Building Facades Support Thermal Insulation
Keeping a consistent indoor temperature throughout the year, during hot summers and cold winters, demonstrates the effectiveness of thermal insulation when it’s functioning properly. But heating and cooling systems might seem to be the natural enemies of summer and winter temperatures. That’s where sustainable building facades make the difference. Translucent facades from polycarbonate keep inside temperatures at optimal levels because of the way they reflect and absorb the radiation of the sun. These eco friendly façade materials create a comfortable atmosphere inside the structure. When everything is working as it should be, and the “U” and “R” values are what they should be, that internal comfort is matched by an external balance. Energy isn’t escaping, emissions are reduced, and that building’s carbon footprint is no longer leaving a giant-sized imprint. Another win for green building façade design!
Green Building Facades Take Home Improvement To A Higher Level
The United States Green Building Council got on board with green building façade design with its LEED certification program, which recognized structures that promote the reduction of carbon emissions and waste that ends up in landfills, promote energy savings and efficient use of water, improve indoor air quality, protect natural resources, and are built upon sites which are regarded as socially and environmentally responsible. Not only is the environment better off, but so are property values. It’s the smart economic choice to build for the environment.
A sustainable building façade can also be made of renewable materials (like polycarbonate) without needing energy for the process because they already exist. The different types of green facades don’t put certification standards ahead of structural quality. They have to meet Danpal’s high performance criteria as well.
Green Building Facades Design Harmonize With Nature
The sun is a force of nature and a powerful one. A green building façade is only one feature of an architectural design. And yet, these two entirely dissimilar entities can work together to create comfortable conditions within the building so that, beyond the walls, nature benefits. Being in harmony with nature is not a new concept, of course. But in today’s environmentally conscious society, people realize that if the planet is to thrive, it’s up to us to make the changes that are needed. Architects realize that people want to live and work in buildings that support environmental needs. Building material manufacturers like Danpal realize that cutting-edge technology is needed, now more than ever, in order to give customers what they want so that the environment can have what it needs.
Green Building Facades And Daylighting Architecture
It’s always been there, certainly. The beauty of natural light, its superiority to artificial light, its obvious appeal, these qualities are well known. But it was not until daylight could be incorporated into a building without adding the glare that so often accompanies natural light that daylighting became an architectural feature. Under the right conditions, daylight can be an integral part of the ultimate sustainable building façade. When you think of natural light as an architectural component that influences the performance of your heating and cooling system and also enhances the visual appearance of the structure, you’re going to be even more impressed with the working partnership that Danpal has struck with Mother Nature.
Architecture has embraced the movement to “go green” with green building designs that employ environmentally sound practices and use materials (such as polycarbonate) which conform to stricter federal standards for ecological performance. Buildings, like people, have a carbon footprint that can do harm to the environment if we are not careful. Green building facades from polycarbonate are just one of the ways in which Danpal continues to be true to our motto, Global Vision, Local Focus. Wherever the climate, there’s a Danpal green building façade that will improve your structure’s performance regarding sustainable energy usage.
Most of us have mixed feelings about the weather. We dread the onset of winter and the cold weather that it brings. We’re none too enthusiastic about rain, even though we welcome it so that our gardens and water supplies are replenished. We don’t like windy days because there’s always a risk if the wind is gusting at a powerful rate, that the force may bring down power lines or tear off roofs. We like warm days without excessive humidity, but we don’t always get weather like that. One thing on which we’re all in agreement, however, is that natural light is one of the best features of the natural world. Who doesn’t appreciate the better illumination that it provides, along with the instinctive improvement in our moods? Danpal, a company with half a century of experience in the building industry, had come up with a product, façadematerials, that allows us to enjoy the best of weather—the light—while protecting us from the worst.
ENJOY DAYLIGHT WITH FAÇADE MATERIALS
Natural light is one of our favorite aspects of the outdoors and Danpal has blended our appreciation for daylight with its building manufacturing to pioneer “daylighting architecture.” That’s a form of building that permits the presence of natural light into our buildings, both homes, and offices.
Natural light provides illumination that doesn’t just help us to see better; it also helps us feel better. We know from scientific studies that people are more productive and more optimistic in natural light. Façade materials aren’t attempting to replace artificial light, but they give us the ability to enjoy the light that nature created for us.
FAÇADE MATERIALS NEED TO BE STRONG AGAINST WEATHER
What kind of building material is strong enough to withstand the never-ending onslaught of the elements? How can a company create a product that is able to endure the battering force of storm winds, the fury of a downpour of rain, an attack of hail, a heavy snowfall?
Weather doesn’t let up; it simply changes seasons. But Danpal, with a skilled crew of engineers, has relied upon research and development to manufacture façade materials that are strong.
Thanks to microcell technology and a snap-lock connection system, Danpal façade materials keep the weather outside. The higher load resistance comes from our double-click locking seam. We have excellent thermal insulation thanks to the cell structure of the Danpal façade materials. Our façade materials even have UV protection so that the intensity of the sun won’t cause damage.
FAÇADE MATERIALS AND FLEXIBILITY ARE A TEAM
It may seem surprising that our façade materials are so flexible. We don’t always associate strength with flexibility but the ease of installation is a known characteristic of Danpalmanufacturing.
Façade materials need to be strong so that they won’t be damaged by the weather. They must also be light in weight so that they’re easy to work with. We’re pleased to say that our façade materials meet our expectations in both regards.
A Key Element in Presenting Your Architectural Vision
The internationally renowned architect, Diego Garteiz Mina, recently collaborated with Pal Plastic’s, very own Marketing and Sales Manager, Gorka Goikoextea Retana. Together, they attended technical conferences on architecture, organized by Danpal Mexico, and hosted in the Torre Mayor building, Mexico City.
The Vizcayan architect began his speech explaining some of the most relevant projects developed throughout his extensive professional career. In addition, he exemplified with images, his particular vision during the construction process of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. The complexity of the project modified his initial concept during the development of architectural design.
From his professional experience, his main idea has always been to represent the uniqueness of each building. He does this via new concepts, such as capturing the simplicity and essence of each space, and integrating the structures with their surroundings. He can then use this as a differentiating element, the effects being produced by the interplay of sunlight on each surface.
Unique Spaces
This is how he came up with the concepts that would later become another of his main projects; the Bullring of Illescas, in Toledo, whose structure stood out at the time as the largest mobile roof in Spain. Another feature that makes this space unique, is the incorporation of elements, usually only found during the production process. Although they may not be functional, they become a differentiating element of design, as observed in images of the bullring in Illescas.
In this concrete architectural project, Diego Garteiz, chose to use the Danpalon® based system, combining it with metallic structures. He managed, not only to create a dynamic exterior effect and color, according to the solar incidence but a special interior transmission created by light at different times of the day.
The solar transmission which characterizes the architectural works of Garteiz, can also be observed in the building of warehouses, constructed in Alaves Lanciego. Here, he incorporated one of the very elements used during the process of winemaking. Other elements are also integrated into the structure of the facade. These materials, combined with the Danpal® system, manage to create a unique effect, both on the outside and inside of each surface, by generating unique light effects.
Danpal, Trust and Long-Term Guarantee
I have been collaborating with Danpal for over 20 years, a company that has my complete and total confidence. In this sense, Garteiz explained, “We have been working a lot with Danpal products throughout Spain. The material, not only guarantees durability over the passage of time but also, an extreme lightness that encourages speed of construction during assembly on site. In addition to cost savings, the construction of unique structures in which energy efficiency and the transmission of sunlight are spectacular. The definition of spaces created by natural daylight, allow us to achieve unique areas of high quality for everyday use.” – the architect concluded.
Situated on an exposed North Wales peninsula between the Irish Sea and the Afon Erch river estuary, the stunning Welsh National Sailing Academy building is both an international centre of excellence for sailing and a multi-purpose event space for the local community.
Working with the Sailing Academy and the Gwynydd County Council, Ellis Williams Architects of Liverpool based the building’s unique design on the classic principle of ‘form following function’.
A unique spiral building design is centered on a large circular main hall, enabling fully rigged boats to be towed in and out with ease while being protected from the location’s strong coastal winds. Curved public terraces overlooking sailing competitions in the bay are situated to the more sheltered north western side, with a glazed café area offering stunning panoramic views of both the bay and the Snowdonia National Park beyond.
On the opposite side, a bar and terrace looks out towards the marina and estuary. A critical design criteria for the project was to maximize the amount of natural daylight entering the circular hall to assist in the preparation of sailing boats and their close scrutinizing by competition judges. To meet this requirement, Ellis Williams specified Danpalon® translucent polycarbonate panel cladding system for both the curved hall façade and the round hall roof.
To harmonize with the project’s extensive use of natural stone gabions, sea grass banking and treated softwood building materials clear (uncoloured) Danpalon® panels were selected and pre-treated with Softlite coating to limit light glare and achieve a subtle matt finish.
The translucent panels also enabled a variety of attractive night time building illumination effects to be achieved using energy-efficient coloured LED lighting, while its excellent thermal properties mean the central hall is able to function as an unheated event space.
With its unique and stunning aesthetic appearance, the Welsh National Sailing Academy has won a series of national architecture prizes including the RIBA Regional, LABC, ICE and CEW awards.
When we think of construction of a translucent facade wall, we start out with an image of an architect creating the design for a building that fulfills the purpose for which it was intended. Our next scene tends to be that of the construction site: heavy machinery and workers in hard hats, laboring in a noisy setting. Finally, we see the building rising where once there was nothing. It all seems so easy.
The truth is that a building is a much more complicated enterprise and every detail must be considered before the architect even begins to create the model. That’s one of the reasons why Danpal’s translucent facade exteriors are the smart choice for a building. Danpal has already done a lot of the preliminary work because the company’s research has created products that are specifically manufactured for particular needs. A building, before a single nail is hammered into place, has a location. If that location is in a rainy climate, the building material must be watertight to prevent leaks. If the building is going up in a landscape that’s prone to high winds, the structure must be able to absorb the impact. Lots of sunlight can be just as powerful a foe to a building as the rain, and we haven’t even mentioned snow or hail yet. But you get the idea. The architect isn’t the first one on the scene when it comes to designing a building. Danpal is, because their expert engineers and specialists have already researched and vetted the materials that will be chosen for construction.
Translucent Facade: More Powerful than Weather
You’ve heard people say that there’s no use complaining about the weather because there’s nothing we can do about it. While it’s true that no one can stop the rain from falling or tame a wild wind, there are ways to defend a building so that it can withstand weather.
There’s weather, and then there’s Danpal weather-resistant translucent facade. Danpal’s translucent facades won’t fail you because Danpal’s reputation is built upon producing materials that last for decades. You won’t have to worry about cracks, scuffs and breaks showing up a few years after the building is completed because Danpal translucent facades are durable. Weather can’t be altered, but translucent facades don’t surrender to it.
Translucent Facade for Flexibility
Danpal delivers the strength. Danpal also delivers translucent facades that are nimble enough to allow freedom when meeting the design specifications. Danpal has managed to achieve that exquisite balance between strength and flexibility thanks to the translucent facades that deliver the best of both worlds.
The Beauty of Translucent Facade
Last, but certainly not least, the esthetics of translucent facade blend the strength of the exterior with the flexibility to create a final effect that makes a building worth looking at. It lasts a long time because Danpal’s products are designed for long-term effectiveness. It’s flexible because the ease of installation shapes the facade to match the esthetic preferences of the client.
Protection and beauty all in one eye-catching, enduring exterior; that’s what you get when you choose a translucent facade for your building project.
When you first decided to enter the design field, there’s a good chance that you did so because you wanted to give your imagination free rein. You didn’t want to be locked into the same tired old traditional building styles. You wanted to create structures that fulfilled the function of a building, but without neglecting the beauty that brings a design out of the cookie-cutter assembly line of boring sameness. That’s why facade systems, the popular trend in building, have become so popular with designers and clients alike. They maintain the functionality of a building, but they are able to stay true to their purpose without ignoring the fact that a building can be a source of inspiration for the people who live and work within it, and an enhancement to the neighborhood.
Why Facade Systems are the Smarter Building Choice
Transparent facade systems aren’t just a building’s pretty face. They’re actually its protective armor because they offer superior protection from the weather and high-impact resistance, along with optimal thermal dynamics. Weather rules the outside world and a building that’s constructed well needs to be able to stand up to whatever comes out of the sky. You’ll be amazed by how the quality of a facade system endures for years without needing to be replace. The energy efficiency and durability of facade systems make them the smart choice; our Danpalframed facade is one of the most popular options for buildings.
Keep in mind that facade systems aren’t one-size-fits-all for buildings. The type of façade that you select needs to suit the climate of the region where the building will be located. If you’re building in an area with an abundance of rain and wind, the facade system will have different specifications than a system that’s designed for a sunny climate. Another factor to consider is the style of the building. The façade systems should blend with the right facade, so that they complement one another. Otherwise, an ill-suited choice could ruin the overall effect. When you’re building with a facade system, you have so many more options for color, finishes, and special effects that you want to make sure that everything is just right.
Facade Systems and Light
Perhaps the most popular feature of a facade system is the way that it makes use of natural light. Your design should accommodate the angles at which the sunlight will strike the building at different times during the day, so that you can adjust for it. Factoring this into your calculations gives you the freedom to immediately improve the quality of the building’s interior with natural light.
If you’ve never thought about the wonderful opportunities for creativity that are yours when natural light is included in your design, you’re in for an amazing revelation. Natural light isn’t usually categorized as a building material, but translucent facades have changed the rules for design. Imagine the originality that you can work with when the pattern of light on your building façade comes from nature and your inspiration.
Fighting the Harmful Effects of Weather with Translucent Facades
Take a look around at the buildings in your city or town. Notice anything? You probably can’t detect the slow, steady damage that weather is causing to the buildings that we see every day. There’s no way to shield a building from the effects of the sun, the rain, or the wind. Buildings are located outside; that means that they have to expect to take the punishment that weather dishes out. But that doesn’t mean that nature has the upper hand. Translucent facades are the expert way to answer the challenge that nature poses and deliver a building product that endures. Not only that, but translucent facades know how to make the most of the daylight, bringing the best of the day into the building while shielding those inside from its negative effects.
How do Translucent Facades Protect Buildings from Nature
A translucent façade creates a seal so that water and air can’t penetrate. The façade’s durability makes it strong enough to withstand the punishing impact of hail and anything else that nature sends its way. Its flexibility with regard to the changing temperature of a building allow the translucent façade to expand in the heat and contract in the cold.
Building Daylight into the Translucent Façade
Now that we’ve told you how translucent facades protect a building from the harmful effects of nature, let us explain to you how our product can actually work with and enhance the natural environment. The benefits of sunlight are familiar to all of us. Not only does capitalizing on the natural light ease energy costs in buildings, but there’s a more personal benefit as well. Incorporating light into public buildings helps to create a positive atmosphere on the people within as they work, conduct their business, and interact with one another. A translucent façade uses daylight as one of its core building materials.
Why Translucent Facades are Better than Glass
Glass windows, although they allow daylightto enter, also let in the glare. Depending on the time of the day, often at daybreak or at dusk, the lower angles of the sun’s rays can be piercing in rooms where the windows face east or west.
That’s why large glass windows on one side of a room aren’t the solution. Flooding the space with uncontrolled bright light increases the level of heat in the room as well. Glass windows need blinds, shades, or curtains in order to minimize the adverse effects of the light; the result is often a room that’s much darker than it needs to be in order to reduce the penetrating glare from outside. There’s a cost factor to this as well, especially in warmer climates where the reduction in energy expense is cancelled by the air conditioning that’s needed to compensate for the excessive solar gain. Ironically, even in the winter, glass fails to offer satisfaction in energy efficiency, because the heat that comes in from outside during the day also escapes during the night.
If you’re looking for a building product that’s efficient, economical, and pleasing to the eye, consider translucent facades and bring in the daylight.
There seems to be confusion in some circles relating to the translucent facade, and it’s purpose. Considering that, we wanted to release a blog post that will set the record straight. We’ll highlight the type of professionals who might use the product, and some of the benefits they can expect. Hopefully, this post will encourage more people to make better use of the solution. As you will learn, it can add alluring design elements to any building while also providing structural advantages.
So what is a translucent facade?
Translucent facades are glazing panels used on the exterior of buildings. They help to protect the construct from weather damage, damp, and erosion. They come in a broad range of different colors and styles to suit every job. Many architects use them to improve the aesthetics of their design. By fixing them in place, it’s possible to hide unsightly building elements and create the perfect finish to any property. The products can assist in protecting people from harmful UV rays. They also ensure maximum thermal conduction. Individuals who use them will notice a reduction in energy bills because they use the sun’s natural light to heat and illuminate buildings.
So what are some of the other benefits?
We already mentioned that a translucent facade could help to protect buildings from weather damage. That is because the product creates a seal that stops penetration by water and air. They are also durable, and so they can withstand impact from hail and other unwanted elements. The materials offer super flexibility, and that is why they can last for many years. As a building becomes hot or cold, the products will expand and contract. They also come in many different styles and shades to suit almost any building design. Danpal® Facades provide an array of finishes and effects that offer dazzling creative options.
Are polycarbonate translucent facades cost-effective?
Compared to glass and other commonly used solutions, polycarbonate translucent facades offer much better value for money. They will stay in good condition for longer, and they’re highly secure. Unlike some other options, users won’t have to replace them very often. Indeed, they can remain in perfect condition for years. They also offer an environmentally-friendly alternative that doesn’t harm the planet. For more information, new clients just need to take a look at our brochure which is available on this site. You can then contact the team for advice and quotes.
Our state-of-the-art systems were created with architects and designers in mind. That is why the products we bring to the market always meet expectations. The professionals working for our brand have decades of combined experience in this industry. We listened to the complaints of designers and building specialists before coming up with the perfect solutions. Make sure you take a look at our range and consider all the benefits before taking a single step further. Those who still decide to use glass or an inferior material will never achieve optimum results. Just take a look at some of the most attractive buildings in any city. We’ll bet at least some of them use translucent facade products.
When it comes to designing a building, the final finishing touch that gives it a polished and smart appearance is the type of facade systems that is chosen.
The structure of the building has its role, but the facade is the decoration that gives life to the building and is the prime ethical component that adds that charm.
This is why you should not rush the decision-making process. Some designers have their pre-determined facade decided for all projects they work on and are fairly inflexible when it comes to changing things up.
It is important that designers think about a horses for courses scenario. Certain types of facade will suit certain types of buildings, while some facades will look absolutely disastrous on them. This is why you need to keep in mind a few rudimentary variables and remarks when conducting the selection process.
Be creative with your Facade Systems
Don’t be stood in the same old rigid thought process project after facade systems project. Instead, get your creative juices flowing. This is highly likely the reason why you got into design in the first place, you enjoyed the creative and imaginative aspect of the design process and see the image in your head come to life in front of your eyes.
Understand the huge role light plays in your selection
As a designer, you will be well aware of the importance of natural light. The pattern of light is hugely important when it comes to the facade of a building. You need to be aware at what sort of angles the sunlight will be hitting the building at different times of the day and adjust for that. By factoring this into your calculations, you will also be able to instantly improve the interior quality when it comes to natural light.
Choosing a Facade, Horses for courses
When it comes to choosing a facade, don’t just go for the one that is currently in trend just for the sake of it. Make sure that you take your time fitting the style of the building with the right facade. You don’t want one aspect of the building spoiling everything else.
You also want to ensure that the type of facade you are using is appropriate for the climate in the region. If the building is located in a poorer climate where there’s a lot of rain and wind, there will be different requirements compared to if it was a sunnier climate.
Danpal and their selection of facade systems
Whatever your needs are when it comes to facade systems, Danpal can cater to them. It doesn’t matter what sort of structure you are building, the right design is out there for you.
Transparent facades are really the going trend these days. The Danpal framed facade is one of the most popular options being used as it offers great weather protection, has high impact resistance, and is transparent. All of these systems allow for a great transfer of light and also have optimal thermal dynamics.
DETAILS OF THE PROJECT:
FAÇADE MATERIALS NEED TO BE STRONG AGAINST WEATHER
From his professional experience, his main idea has always been to represent the uniqueness of each building. He does this via new concepts, such as capturing the simplicity and essence of each space, and integrating the structures with their surroundings. He can then use this as a differentiating element, the effects being produced by the interplay of sunlight on each surface.
Translucent Facade: More Powerful than Weather
A translucent façade creates a seal so that water and air can’t penetrate. The façade’s durability makes it strong enough to withstand the punishing impact of hail and anything else that nature sends its way. Its flexibility with regard to the changing temperature of a building allow the translucent façade to expand in the heat and contract in the cold.