Construction news Schüco presented at BAU in Munich

Thousands of visitors once again met with significant exhibitors of building materials after two years. The Munich BAU 2017 fair was traditionally grand. For example, at the booth of the German manufacturer of building envelope systems, Schüco, up to a thousand interested parties in facades, windows, doors, and sliding systems were gathered at one moment. The booth's structure caught the eye at first glance, as a considerable part of it was woven from the design facade FACID. In addition to thematically and product-wise divided sections, there was also a part dedicated to supportive digital technologies that ease the work of architects and processors. In the text, we will focus more closely on the aforementioned textile facade, as well as innovations in the portfolio of slender facades, entrance doors, and sliding systems.

The design facade FACID can also act as a curtain

This unique product makes existing unsightly facades more attractive, but it can also serve as a design element in new buildings, excellently serving as an unconventional advertising surface, shading, and as transverse ventilation in, for instance, parking garages. When used in front of large-format sliding systems, it evokes the impression of a curtain. The advantage of the FACID textile facade is its operability and adaptability; installation is time-efficient and does not disrupt the building's operation. While the core of the building remains, the appearance can change over time. The malleable FACID facade has a low weight, is washable, and has minimal rain penetration. Another advantage is that it can be perfectly tightened thanks to a special clamping system with the ability to tension, which is not possible with regular window curtains and hooks. There are several types of facade fabrics to choose from, such as pre-stressed PVC fiber mesh with the possibility of printing or high-quality glass fibers with fire-resistant class A2. The fibers are available in many colors and varying degrees of porosity.

In 3D, the parametric facade was also remembered, which can now be designed not only as a standalone facade unit but also in combination with standard Schüco facade systems. This opens the doors for broader architectural interpretation and undoubtedly also for streamlining the project.

Profile minimalism with systems FWS 35 PD and FWS 60 CV

Transparent facades using the slender Schüco profiles appealed to many architects. The facade system Schüco FWS 60 CV (Concealed Vent) has also been improved, allowing for the hidden integration of opening elements into the glazed facade of administrative and residential buildings. With the installation where the opening element cannot be distinguished from the fixed glazing when viewed externally, the overall visible width is just 60 mm, and there is no increase in the width of the window frame! The opening element, realizable at the height of an entire floor (up to 3.2 m), can be supplemented with a built-in protective railing within the frame, integrated lighting, or sun protection, and soon the manufacturer will also offer a variant with mechatronic fittings TipTronic and the possibility of connecting to automatically controlled ventilation. An undeniable advantage of the profile is compliance with thermal insulation criteria in the passive standard.

To implement elegant glazed surfaces, the manufacturer also offers an even "slimmer" system Schüco FWS 35 PD. Besides fixed frameless walls and showrooms for luxury products, this slender facade allows for a combination with electrically opening windows and doors of the same visible width of only 35 mm! The only limiting factor in design is structural integrity. With this system, very slender structural corner joints can also be constructed.

Entrance doors with face scan entry or illuminated handle

The modular system for controlling, monitoring, and securing entrance doors Schüco Door Control System, improved last year with sophisticated control via a touch screen, has already been introduced to you. At this year's BAU fair, the manufacturer showcased further possibilities for keyless entry. Among the most interesting, in addition to the already known numerical keyboard and fingerprint scanner, is the ability to enter through face scanning or Bluetooth technology. Additional elements, especially house numbers, bells, or a name list with bells or a system for communication with a video camera and door opener, can be installed into the control panel at the user's request.

Notable is also the sophisticated appearance of the entrance doors Schüco ADS 90.SI SimplySmart Design Edition. They feature an illuminated recess for the door handle, fully recessed into the profile, and a highly elegant double-sided overlapping aluminum fill. The fully illuminated contour of the door handle recess creates a noble design and discreetly highlights the doors. Thanks to the transparent covering of otherwise hidden LED strips, the handle is very pleasant to the eye as well as to the touch. When viewed from the outside, a uniform, perfectly aligned surface of the door is created without interruption from the handle.

Large-format barrier-free sliding systems

Schüco sliding systems find primary use in family homes, but they perfectly serve as transition walls to pools and outdoor terraces at luxury restaurants or wellness centers. The proven and best-selling thermally insulated sliding system with lift and exposed frame Schüco ASS 70.HI will be replaced in the future by the ASE 80 series, which will offer better thermal insulation properties and improved barrier-free access.

In terms of price and appearance, the panoramic series of sliding systems ASS 77 PD is a step further. The system is built on profile minimalism and unobstructed views. It is available in three levels of thermal insulation, from uninsulated to highly thermally insulated variants. It can be used to construct a corner without an undesired fixed column. Electric and manual operation options are available. Utilizing one's own strength, the sizable sliding door can now be comfortably opened from the outside through a handle elegantly recessed in the frame, as the previously manually operated leaf of the Schüco ASS 77 PD.HI Manual system could only be operated from the interior.
 
For more information about Schüco systems, visit www.schueco.cz