In the skyline of modern cities, glass curtain walls are like putting on crystal clear coats for high-rise buildings, which are both practical and full of design sense. This exterior wall form that combines architectural aesthetics with functionality has become the standard for city landmarks. But you may not know that the seemingly uniform glass walls actually hide more than a dozen different “dressing styles”, each of which corresponds to different architectural needs and design ingenuity. This article will take you into the diverse world of glass curtain walls and reveal the unique charm of four mainstream styles.
1. Framed glass curtain wall: classic all-match style
Like a white shirt in the clothing industry, the framed curtain wall is the most widely used classic style. Its structure is like an old-fashioned photo frame – first use aluminum alloy or steel to build a criss-cross skeleton, and then embed the glass in it like a photo. This structure is simple and reliable, which can adapt to square and regular office buildings, and can also create curved effects such as waves by adjusting the frame shape.
2. Point-supported glass curtain wall: transparent visual master
Want the ultimate transparent effect? Point-supported curtain wall can be called “invisible cloak”. It grasps the four corners of the glass with precise steel claws, transmits the force through the steel truss behind it, and realizes the minimized support structure. Standing on the sightseeing floor of Shanghai World Financial Center, you will find that there is almost no obstruction in front of you, and the 270-degree panoramic view is like floating in the air.
This structure has extremely high requirements for craftsmanship. Each piece of glass needs to be pre-drilled and installed with stainless steel connectors, and the error must be controlled at the millimeter level. But the effort is worth it – when the sun penetrates the layers of glass curtains and casts the light and shadow of the steel cables on the ground, the building instantly turns into a giant light and shadow art installation.
3. All-glass curtain wall: a luxurious upgraded version of the shopping mall window
When you walk into a high-end shopping mall, you will often be shocked by the entire glass wall that goes straight from the ground to the ceiling. This is the magic of the all-glass curtain wall. It completely abandons the metal frame and uses 1219mm ultra-thick glass to achieve self-support through top hanging or ground bearing.
This design has strict requirements on the strength of the glass and requires accurate calculation of the wind pressure load. The construction is more like installing giant building blocks – first erect the load-bearing steel structure, and then use vacuum suction cups to accurately position each 300 kg glass. Although the cost is high, the spatial experience it brings is irreplaceable.
