As architecture moves forward, buildings face the ever-evolving challenge of, how to stand-out among the crowd. As a supplier, Danpal has a potential answer, and we refer to it as Danpatherm. This cassette-based concept gives us the opportunity to use our Danpatherm K7 and Danpatherm K12 based façade solutions, as carriers for advanced LED lighting systems. This trick of lighting is unique in our market, and is what allows the Danpatherm Façade System to ‘stand-out from the crowd’.
Let’s take a step back for a moment, so we can understand what sets the K7 and K12 façade solution, apart from other translucent offerings. The Danpatherm design concept relies on the implementation of fully finished off pre-fabricated cassettes, which are flanked by Danpalon panels covering each face. These double-glazed units are sealed-off against external elements and arrive on-site, sized and ready for installation. Having the finished product arrive on-site, drastically reduces both the man-power and man-hours need for a successful installation.
So we have established that time on site can be reduced, and that the cassettes arrive fully completed, negating the need for additional engineering on site. The next attribute to consider, which is key to our Danpatherm system, is that in our case, double-glazing means that you can remove either the exterior or interior face of the cassette, without compromising the weather line. When considering long-term maintenance issues, this ability will become both ever more important and impressive. Can you imagine the cost implications of needing to have an entire façade removed, and in doing so, compromise the building’s occupants?
The next more obvious point to cover, is that by using two Danpalon microcell panels, together in a single cassette – we can more than double the U-Value! More than double the u-value, just how is this possible, you might ask? Well, by separating the 2 Danpalon panels with an air-gap, we have essentially trapped a layer of air, as additional insulation. Still not enough, how about using the cassette as a carrier for glass fibre insulation material, and achieving a u-value of 0.52 W/m2 K! A point to remember is that even by adding in the insulation material, we are still able to achieve measurable levels of light transmission.
Now, if it wasn’t enough that a single façade system type, could offer all these attributes, with some of them being completely unique – K7 and K12 can also bring you LED light! To achieve this highly technical feat of engineering, Danpal partnered with LED lighting experts, who together developed a bespoke lighting solution for the Danpatherm cassette module. The solution is comprised of separate IP67 outdoor certified LED units, each with the capability to produce a full spectrum of both colored and white light.
What does this mean for an architect, and what does this mean for their next building project? It means that the architect now has the power to uniquely transform the very face of the building, into a vivid display of light! A display of light that reflects the architect’s intention and that speaks the design language of the building. A perfect example of this technology in use can be seen in use, in the Antel Arena in Uruguay. This multi-purpose indoor sports arena, can cater for up to 15 000 people and lights up the night time sky, with a light display visible from miles around.
Perhaps it is time that we re-think our view on Danpatherm, and in the process, rediscover the magic of LED light displays. To look upon our projects with an eye for, what might be and what can be done, by approaching the design with a ‘child-like’ openness to the ‘impossible’. At Danpal, we have a habit of turning the impossible into reality, by allowing our clients the magic, to design with light. We call this… Light Architecture!
