ETFE Membrane Facade

Double Skin Solar Collector for CTU

Wrapping the structure in transparent membrane serves to reduce the energy consumption and featuring self cleaning facade lends the building an unmistakeable identity. Multidisciplinary, integrated planning approach by architects, engineers, scientists and manufacturers using outer membrane diagonal cushions in a double skin assembly to reduce energy consumption. High-tech design features unique facade for a new building of Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics as a contemporary teaching facility for a new generation of scientific research teams.

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ETFE Membrane Facade by Petr Franta

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Double Skin Solar Collector by Petr Franta

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Petr Franta ETFE Membrane Facade

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Petr Franta Double Skin Solar Collector

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ETFE Membrane Facade Double Skin Solar Collector Press Releases

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ETFE Membrane Facade Double Skin Solar Collector Media Articles

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Unique Properties

Applying Double Skin Facade with ETFE Ethylen Tetrafluor Ethylen transparent membrane assembly for energy saving up to 30 percent. Acting as solar collector with recuperation of hot air on the top floors in winter season. Additional acoustic protection on busy traffic streetscape. Aesthetics, added value as large span between structural members. Self cleaning exterior of the facade ETFE membrane with additive chemical component rejecting dirt as automatic cleaning of the facade with rain water.

Tags

ETFE, Ethylen TetraFluor Ethylen membrane, Double skin pneumatic facade,

Production Technology

3 m wide ETFE Ethylen Tetrafluor Ethylen cushions in south and west facade with seam in aluminium profiles on the secondary steel structure are welded cushions and kept under constant air pressure 300 Pa. Weight is 1% of glass installation of outer skin. Recuperation of hot air from facade as solar collector, energy saving up to 30%. Self cleaning exterior ETFE membrane with additive chemical component rejecting dirt cleaning of the facade with rain water. ETFE 50-years lifespan of the material.

Design Challenge

Turning of the corner of diagonally placed pneumatic cushion of ETFE membrane detail in double skin facade. Special aluminium extrusion detail was developed (with live size models) especially for this project to allow the twisting diagonal clamp with 1000 mm radius, placed on secondary steel tubing. We had to comply with European standards DIN different for aluminium and steel. Large mock-ups, samples and models were part of the design process to make sure that the membrane does not wrinkle.

Project Duration

Project design started in 2008 in Prague with presentation to Technical university scientists committee. Realized in years from 2015 to 2017 on Czech Technical University in Prague campus for Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics of the CTU in Prague.

Operation Flow

Applying double skin facade with ETFE membrane assembly for energy saving with recuperation of hot air on the top floors, saves 30 percent of an energy consumption. From double facade acting as solar collector hot outside air is sucked into the ventilation HVAC units on each floor from two places - from south facade for the winter and transition period and from the north facade in the summer. (Solar collector - double facade between the glass facade and the outer facade of the ETFE facing south).

Research

Design research was very complex with scientists, structure engineers in applications ETFE membrane around the world (London, Munich, New York) - design datas with manufacturers, designers. We searched design and structural properties of Ethylen TetraFluor Ethylen transparent membrane facades for building types use, duration in life span, wind load on pneumatic cushions, aluminium clamps detailing, secondary steel structure detailing, transparency properties, weight, width versus span dimensions.

Inspiration

Presentation of 8 x 6 m sample of ETFE membrane cushion with pneumatic equipment for Allianz Arena in Munich by Herzog De Meuron Architects. It was used for football stadium, in England for museum in Leicester by Nicolas Grimshaw and other non transparent use. After researching those study cases around the world, later came to me the idea to use transparent double skin membrane for office type building for scientists, using transparent film membrane in double skin facade instead of glass.

Image Credits

Image #1 Photographer Jiří Ryzsavy Image #2 Photographer Jiří Ryzsavy Image #3 Photographer Jiří Ryzsavy Image #4 Photographer Jiří Ryzsavy Image #5 Photographer Jiří Ryzsavy

Project Overview

ETFE Membrane Facade Double Skin Solar Collector has been a Bronze winner in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design award category in the year 2021 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Petr Franta was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2022, a testament to excellence of their work ETFE Membrane Facade Double Skin Solar Collector.

Petr Franta Press Releases

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Revolutionary ETFE Membrane Facade Unveiled by Petr Franta

Petr Franta introduces a groundbreaking double skin solar collector ETFE membrane facade, designed for energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal, realized at Czech Technical University in Prague.

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