program: The Evolution of High Performance Dynamic Facade Design

Facade Design Case Studies Reveal Improved Efficiencies

Krueck+Sexton found innovation through an evolutionary process of dynamic façade design observed in comparing two recent projects.

In 2006, Krueck+Sexton's design for the Spertus Institute included a 14,000sf shaped façade, created through a design-driven modeling process led by the architect to achieve the maximum expression. The result was a custom mullion structure that allowed for a wide range of rotation to create a faceted geometry and a highly specific façade crafted from 750 lites of glass, 500 of which were unique.

In 2010, Krueck+Sexton designed a 200,000sf shaped façade for their Federal Office Building. The scale of this project required optimization while trying to achieve maximum expression. In order to accomplish this, the Architect and Fabricator began a process of merging models of design expectations and fabrication efficiencies, adjusting each to accomplish both.

The result was a façade that was nearly 12x more efficient than the previous model at the Spertus Institute. This innovative process created a seed for the project delivery of the façade, having significant cost reduction and schedule implications while merging the design and fabrication objectives.

Hear About Innovation in Facade Design

• analyze different facades on two projects to understand how to maximize day lighting;
  
• explore high performance and security glass design for innovative solutions to building facades;
  
• discover unitized curtain wall design and detailing that can have a significant impact on efficiency;
• examine how fabrication objectives can merge with design objectives to reduce costs and improve schedules.