Architecture based on soft lines and rounded shapes is an undoubted differentiator, but also quite a performance challenge. How to achieve design freedom using materials available on the market? The Guardian SunGuard ® SN 62/34HT glass used in the Fabryczna Office Park complex in Krakow, thanks to its properties, allows bending and realization of non-standard forms - including curved ones, flexibly fitting into the architect's vision.
Fabryczna Office Park in Cracow is the office part of the multifunctional Fabryczna City complex, one of those investments that re-develop downtown Grzegórzki by introducing modern functions, standards and forms into the existing urban fabric. Completed first, the three office buildings are distinguished, against the background of neighboring buildings, by rounded glass facades in the corners, interspersed with horizontal black and gold stripes separating the individual floors.
The Fabryczna Office Park buildings use Guardian SunGuard SN 62/34HT glass.
© Guardian Glass
In the buildings under construction, we decided to use Guardian SunGuard SN 62/34HT glass. The neutral color of the glass harmonizes with the rest of the facade and creates a cohesive visual effect that meets our expectations. In addition, working with Guardian Glass provided us with flexibility in the choice of processor, which allowed us to minimize material losses in the glass bending process. All these factors had a positive impact on optimizing the investment process," says Paweł Walczak, Investment Director of F.R.B INTER-BUD Sp. z.o.o.
Lighting and protection from heating
Large areas of glazing are a symbol of modernity, but also an opportunity to ensure adequate illumination of office interiors with natural sunlight, which was among the priorities during the design process. In order to ensure access to daylight while protecting the premises from excessive heat, Guardian SunGuard SN 62/34HT functional glass was used in the facades. It is designed to help ensure high light transmission while reflecting excess heat energy.
Large areas of glazing have a major impact on the comfort of office spaces. They eliminate, or significantly reduce, the need for artificial lighting, which has a positive impact on the mental and physical well-being of building occupants. The Guardian Glass offer allows the use of large glazing unlimited by the direction of exposure. In the Fabryczna Office Park complex in Krakow, we used Guardian SunGuard SN 62/34HT glass, both in the southern elevations and the northern elevations, which are in their own shadow, without worrying about the impact of insolation on the temperature inside the building, says Marcin Wijowski, project director, IMB Asymetria Krakow.
Thanks to the use of combined triple-glazing packages made of Guardian ExtraClear® glass with SunGuard SN 62/34 HT and ClimaGuard® Premium 2 coatings, with a total thickness of less than 53 mm, it was possible to achieve a light transmission coefficient Lt of 56%, a total solar energy transmission coefficient (g) of 31%, and a heat transfer coefficient (Ug) of 0.5 W/(m2K). Thus, the configuration used has made it possible to create an envelope that will not only support the prevention of heating of rooms in the summer, but also their cooling in the winter season.
The buildings are characterized by glass facades rounded at the corners
© Guardian Glass
All three of the completed and operational office buildings in the Fabryczna Office Park complex have received BREEAM certification with an Outstanding rating. Of course, such a high rating is largely due to the use of the highest quality materials. We are pleased that our work translates into the creation of durable solutions with high aesthetics. We are proud of the visual effect of the facade of the Fabryczna Office Park office buildings, which is created by the non-accidental selection of colors and arrangement of facade elements with Guardian SunGuard SN 62/34HT glass filling. Harmonious and coherent whole, complemented by elements of small architecture, constitute the uniqueness of the Fabryczna Office Park complex - says Marcin Bodaj, vice president of the board of directors of INTER-BUD Systemy Elewacyjne Sp. z o.o.
Facades in the round
Among the distinguishing features of the completed Fabryczna Office Park buildings, the rounded corners made of glass are certainly noteworthy. In this hotspot, reality often diverges from design concepts and the walls, which do not form a straight line in the projection, are often made of short straight sections. However, modern technologies allow such projects to be implemented without any concessions. A special TPF film, which protects Guardian Glass from damage and scratching at the processing stage, makes the whole process much easier and with less risk of damaging the material.
The process of glass bending is time-consuming and requires a lot of attention, and the final effect largely depends on the quality of the material being processed. Thanks to TPF film, which protects glass from the Guardian SunGuard SN and SNX line, its processing is much safer. Reducing the risks associated with the processing process makes it possible to shorten the execution time of the entire project. We have been working with Guardian glass for many years, and our experience has been very positive," says Sabina Kozieł, sales director, Vitroform Sp. z o.o. KRAKOW.
The individual bending of the glass sheets made it possible to achieve shapes with radii tailored to the project and to achieve precisely rounded corners. They were made of the same glass as the flat parts of the facade so the viewer also sees no color differences in transmission or reflection. Thus, the building blocks form a coherent whole, attracting attention with their somewhat unusual shape. Together with the surrounding public and green spaces, they create an interesting new part of the city in the urban fabric, and the office buildings themselves proudly continue the long tradition of the famous "houses without corners."
*The next buildings in the emerging complex are planned to use the next latest generation of coatings: Guardian SunGuard ® SN 63 HT and Guardian ClimaGuard® Premium 2. This will achieve even better performance of the envelope up to a g-factor of 30%.
Guardian SunGuard ® SN 62/34HT, Fabryczna Office Park
© Guardian Glass
Guardian Glass
GuardianGlass, a major company of the Guardian Industries group, is one of the world's leading producers of float glass, coated glass and finished glass products. On its 26 float glass lines around the world, Guardian Glass produces high-performance glass used in interiors and facades of buildings (both residential and commercial), transportation and technology. Guardian Glass products can be found in homes, offices, automobiles and the most recognizable architectural projects. The Guardian Glass Science and Technology Center is constantly working to develop new glass products and solutions. It uses the most advanced technology to help its customers See what's possible™.
For more information, visit the company's Guardian Częstochowa Sp. z o.o. page onPdA.
