The new headquarters of one of the world“s largest fashion groups features a glass curtain wall that combines the established benefits of DuPont SentryGlas(R) interlayer with the new architectural fa…
The new headquarters of one of the world“s largest fashion groups features a glass curtain wall that combines the established benefits of DuPont SentryGlas(R) interlayer with the new architectural fabric, SEFAR(R) Architecture Vision, for a stunning visual effect. The facade of the new building in Madrid, Spain, constitutes the first commercial application of the Vision fabric with laminated glass in Europe. The overall visual effect of the glass curtain wall is that of a three-dimensional checkerboard in perfect harmony with its direct environment. This has been achieved by alternating panels of clear laminated glass with panels which have SEFAR Architecture Vision embedded within them. The woven fabric mesh is decorated with a reflective aluminum metal coating on its exterior-facing side, and reflects the changing climatic conditions around the building. From the inside, the black fabric permits an almost uninhibited view of the outside world as well as still offering appropriate room illumination. As with many other architectural applications of the DuPont interlayer, the superior structural strength performance of SentryGlas over PVB allowed a reduction in the overall weight of the laminated glass panels, and for the use of an almost invisible steel support. SentryGlas interlayer also enhances the safety and strength of the entire installation. The company claims its post-break strength is higher than that of PVB, and it keeps glass in place even when shattered. Moreover, the open-edged panels used to form the glass curtain wall for the Madrid building are resistant to future edge discoloration caused by weathering.