Double‐Skin Façades: Boundary Conditions, Challenging Examples and Developments

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe combination of the double skin concept with unitized systems made current typologies of double glazed units possible. Two concepts are mainly discussed especially in high‐profile markets like London or Switzerland: Closed Cavity Façades (CCF) adopting the concept of pressurized multilayer ETFE‐foil cushion constructions and Self‐Conditioning Façades (SCF) using the concept of pressure relaxed insulated glass. The advantages of double skin façades lay in an increased performance of the skin regarding acoustics, individual ventilation and conditioning concepts. The protection of sunscreens especially for high‐rise buildings is also a benefit. Disadvantages result through the reduction of usable floor space, the increase of used resources and material, and condensation risks, which makes more planning and design effort necessary. Both concepts were formed by available technological solutions. The necessary technological effort for CCF and the extended design efforts for SCF can be avoided by relying on a more simpler and modular glazing typology, which is the result of current developments for the next generation of double skin façades, called ISOshade®.