Who invented the curtain wall

As the curtain wall is a non-structural cladding system for the external surfaces, it can be made of a lightweight material thus reducing construction cost.

The most popular material used for this is glass which suffices not only creating an enclosure but lets the light in and therefore, creating large and uninterrupted areas with clear passage of light. Other materials which can be used are Aluminium Composite Panels ACP , metal panels or even thin stone, thus creating an attractive facade of a building whenever required.

These materials, especially ACP and glass, are available in wide spectrum of colours and choices. These two buildings are credited as the first curtain walls utilizing glass. They became a cost-competitive and cost-effective alternative to other facade treatments.

But the real roots of curtain walls lie much more deeply within the fabric of not only architecture but even within the very psyche of the massive societal renaissance, transforming the world during that time late 19th century , which eventually blossomed into the modernist movement.

During this intellectually tumultuous time, thinkers and philosophers rejected the certainty of enlightenment thinking and any religious beliefs. Modernism promoted the recurring critique of previous traditions and beliefs in various fields, advocating self-consciousness and experimentalism while incorporating individual expressions of humanism a. In short, modernism emphasized on improvement of the human condition the user.

How the origin of the curtain wall is related to this broad movement? Curtain walls are symbolic of modernist experimentalism as for the first time architects and engineers toyed with the idea of doing away with traditional load bearing walls continuing since antiquity , which heavily reduced the flexibility of occupancy and focused more on the structure than the users. Instead, they started to experiment with beam and column structures which offered unprecedented flexibility of occupancy; for the first time a building could have multiple functions suited to changing needs of users.

For the first time, buildings could represent the dynamic conditions of a user instead of just an institution, religion, state or an abstract ideology. This particular structure warranted a suitable replacement for the wall. It now served as a portal merging the interior and exterior. Any innovation in the field of architecture is intrinsically tied to the user, the human being, right from its genesis throughout its lifespan. Curtain wall is one such innovation. The first building in New York that featured a curtain wall was the Lever House in Midtown Manhattan that was built in by the design firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill.

The use of curtain walls in commercial building designs became an enduring trend for many aesthetic and energy efficiency reasons. Just as large windows allowed natural light into interior spaces, curtain walls flooded the interiors with natural light. When glass walls replaced masonry construction in commercial buildings, the depth and reach of light penetration improved, reducing the need for artificial lighting and consequently, cutting down on lighting bills. Additionally, windowless areas toward the middle of the floor became appealing and usable workspaces.

An aluminum-framed curtain wall is designed to be airtight. In a properly sealed system, the air barrier is continuous from the glass panel to the mullions and the seals. The airtight design prevents rain intrusion that could lead to costly cleanup and repairs. The glass, aluminum and sealant components of a curtain wall do not allow for absorption or evaporation of moisture, keeping moisture out of the interior section. The components are corrosion resistant except for some seals, which may degrade if left soaking for some time.

The use of insulating glass in curtain wall installations can improve thermal qualities. A well-constructed glass curtain can enhance energy efficiency and reduce the costs of heating and cooling in a commercial building.

Curtain walls should be inspected regularly to ensure the integrity of seals, mullions and the glass itself. Glass replacement and panel repairs should be handled by professionals experienced in this work such as the glass experts at Apple Glass. Call Apple Glass for your commercial glass requirements today. The company also provides Houston windshield replacement services. These spandrel panels can come in a variety of materials. Early spandrel panels were made of heat-strengthened opaque glass fused with colored ceramic.

While customers could order custom colors, typical tones found in the Northwest included turquoise, pink and blue. Later, spandrels were available in other materials such as composite metal panels containing lightweight insulation cores, precast concrete panels, asbestos panels, porcelain enamel, tile, masonite, thin stone veneer, and plywood panels a material particularly popular in the Pacific Northwest.

One of the main providers of curtain wall systems here in the Northwest during the s and s was Fentron Industries. Considered suitable for virtually any size commercial, government or institutional building, the Curtain Wall style became widespread by the early s.

Many post WWII buildings of varying styles also incorporated curtain wall systems into some facades but are not considered Curtain Wall style unless the majority of the visible facades are so constructed. The modular construction method used to construct the Curtain Wall style made it economical and popular for a time.

However, by the late s it was being replaced with a more smooth or Slick Skin application. Skip to main content. Search form Search.