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Glazing Over Global Trends: Larger Formats and Smaller Sight Lines
May 29, 2017
Big and bold. Curvaceous and intelligent.
If you are looking for the latest industry insights and trends in building design for 2017, getting together with architects and builders throughout the world is a sure way to fill up your notebook and keep you current.
During the conferences we have recently attended – BAU, the world’s leading trade fair for architectural materials and systems in Munich, Germany; Facades+ in New York City and the AIA Conference on Architecture in Orlando, Fla. – common themes have emerged.
For instance, there are new trends in glazing technologies, including larger formats and smaller sight lines. Elegance will always be in, but people really want big units for aesthetics and performance.
Here are four takeaways from the 2017 conference circuit:
- Architects are looking for a more monolithic feel and they are finding it by incorporating glazing and products such as Kalwall® that can push the envelope by delivering large panel formats (up to 5’ x 20’ | 1.5m x 6m) set within more attenuated framing.
- It used to be about curb appeal. Now it’s about curve appeal. We found significant interest in our Kalcurve® System as curved glazing, even double curve glazing, is becoming more and more popular.
- Smart technology continues to be in demand, but the ways technologies are making buildings more intelligent is expanding. We can imagine sensors someday being incorporated into our panels to help regulate light levels and communicate information to the HVAC systems to regulate heating and cooling.
- Energy efficiency is still a first order priority for architects, contractors and owners alike. Exhibiting at BAU for the first time was a great way to see how Kalwall’s superior thermal properties drew global interest and admiration.
Getting the opportunity to attend multiple conferences, listening to the different points of view on how to make buildings more beautiful, safer and efficient, helps bring a truly global perspective to what we do.
Sam Keller is the Creative Director for Kalwall. You can reach him at [email protected].
Company: Kalwall Corporation
Of: Sam Keller
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