BUILDING SKINS

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WHAT IS
BUILDING
FUNCTIONS
SKIN?
The building skin is the outer
OF BUILDING
surface of a building that
protects the interior from SKIN
weather, controls heat and
light transfer, and adds
aesthetic value.

• Protection: They shield the interior from weather

conditions like rain, wind, and extreme
temperatures.

• Ventilation: Building skins can include systems or

openings for controlled airflow and fresh air
exchange.

• Identity: The design and materials of building

skins define the building's style and aesthetic,
setting it apart from its surroundings.

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Building skins also serve these
functions:

• Sound insulation: They incorporate

soundproofing elements to minimize external
noise transmission, creating a quieter indoor
environment.

• Light control: Building skins regulate natural light,

preventing excessive glare and ensuring
balanced illumination. This can be achieved
through window design, shading devices, or
light-diffusing materials.

• Enclosure: The building skin forms a physical

boundary, offering security, privacy, and
separation from the external environment.

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TYPES OF Structural Classification :

BUILDING Single Skin:

SKINS
The building envelope consists of
a single layer or material that
serves as the outer protective
barrier.

Building skins can be

classified into different
types based on their
structure and Double Skin:
materials. The building envelope comprises two
layers of skin or walls separated by an air
cavity, offering enhanced performance
and functionality.

Cavity Wall :
Cavity wall is a type of wall having a hollow center. It
is formed from two thicknesses of brickwork /
blockwork with a space between them.

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 Metal Skin: The building envelope
primarily employs metal materials such
Material as aluminum, steel, or metal composite
panels, offering durability, strength, and
aesthetic appeal.
Classification :

Natural Skin: The building

envelope incorporates materials
sourced from nature, such as
wood, stone, or earth-based
materials, offering natural
aesthetics, and sustainability.

Glass Skin: The building envelope

predominantly utilizes glass as the
primary material, providing
transparency, daylighting, and
visual connections with the
external environment. Concrete Skin: The building
envelope features concrete
as the primary material,
providing durability, thermal
54 PURVA SHIRKE mass, and architectural
B.TECH. SEM V expression.
 Different materials for curtain
WHAT IS walls
CURTAIN Curtain walls can be constructed using a variety of materials,
WALL? depending on the desired aesthetics, performance
requirements, and architectural considerations
A curtain wall is a specific

Functional
type of building skin that is
often used in modern
architecture.
It refers to an exterior
cladding system that does requirements
not carry the structural load
of the building. • Elimination of water penetration
Instead, it hangs or is
suspended from the • enclosure
building's structural
framework, creating a non- • Load
load-bearing enclosure.
• Acoustic insulation
• Thermal insulation
• Control solar lens
• Minimal maintenance

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TYPES OF
CURTAIN
WALLS
Based on the types of glazing
and panels used, curtain walls
can be categorized into the
following types:

Single glazed curtain walls consist of a Double glazed curtain walls feature two glass
single layer of glass, providing transparency layers with an air or gas-filled cavity, improving
thermal insulation by minimizing heat transfer.
and weatherproofing but limited thermal
They provide superior energy efficiency,
insulation. They are commonly used in mild acoustic insulation, and condensation control
climates or buildings with additional compared to single glazed systems. Double
internal insulation where energy efficiency glazed curtain walls are commonly employed
is not a top priority. in energy-conscious buildings prioritizing
occupant comfort.

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 PV panel curtain walls integrate solar panels
Solar control curtain walls manage solar heat
within the curtain wall system, generating
gain and glare by utilizing low-e coatings,
electricity from sunlight.
reflective coatings, or tinted glass.
They reduce reliance on grid power, lower
These features reduce solar radiation,
carbon emissions, and promote renewable
controlling heat entry into the building.
energy generation.
They maintain indoor comfort, reduce
PV panel curtain walls are compatible with
reliance on cooling systems, and save
both single glazed and double glazed
energy.
configurations, based on performance and
energy needs.

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TYPES OF
GLASS
SYSTEMS Detail at
There are three commonly ‘A’
used types of glass systems in
building construction: stick Unitized systems involve fabricating glass
panels and framing members off-site into
systems, spider systems, and
pre-fabricated units.
unitized systems. These units, comprising multiple glass panels
and associated framing elements, are then
transported and installed as complete
systems.
Spider systems, use spider fittings to
Unitized systems offer fast installation,
support glass panels.
improved quality control, and enhanced
Spider fittings clamp the glass at strategic
energy efficiency.
points, providing structural support and
an aesthetic appearance.
Made of strong materials like stainless
steel, these fittings create a visually striking
Stick System - Stick systems are a traditional "floating glass" effect by minimizing visible
glass installation method where individual structural elements.
glass panels are installed on-site, supported
by vertical mullions and horizontal transoms.
Glass panels are secured using pressure
plates, gaskets, or silicone sealants.
Stick systems provide design flexibility for
different glass sizes and shapes but require
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more labor and time for installation
compared to other systems. B.TECH. SEM V
 ADVANTAGES :
FEATURES OF • Aesthetic Appeal: Curtain walls offer versatile design options, incorporating various
materials and finishes to enhance architectural aesthetics.

CURTAIN •

•
Natural Light and Views: Large glass panels in curtain walls maximize natural light and
provide occupants with better access to views.
Thermal Performance: Modern curtain walls use energy-efficient glazing systems to

WALLS
reduce heat transfer and maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.
• Weather Protection: Curtain walls shield the interior space from wind, rain, and other
weather elements, ensuring a controlled indoor environment.
• Sound Insulation: Depending on design and glazing options, curtain walls can
reduce external noise, creating a quieter indoor environment.

DISADVANTAGES:
• Cost: Curtain walls can be expensive due to materials, installation
complexity, and customization requirements.
• Design and Engineering Complexity: Specialized expertise is needed to
design and engineer curtain walls properly to ensure performance and
structural integrity.
• Limited Thermal Insulation: Curtain walls generally have lower insulation
values compared to solid walls, potentially leading to higher energy
consumption.
• Vulnerability to Moisture Intrusion: Improper design, installation, or
maintenance can result in water infiltration and related issues.
• Restricted Flexibility: Modifying or altering curtain walls can be challenging
and costly after installation.

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 INFILL PANELS TYPES
• Infill panels also known as infill walls, are non-load-
bearing panels that are installed between the floors
of a building's primary structural frame. Infill panels
serve the essential function of supporting the STEEL INFILL PANELS:
structure's cladding system. They are panels made of steel
that fill the gaps or spaces
• The infill wall has the unique static function to bear its
between structural elements,
own weight. The infill wall is an external vertical
opaque type of closure. With respect to other such as steel or concrete frames.
categories of wall, the infill wall differs from the Steel infill panels provide
partition that serves to separate two interior spaces structural support, enhance
building strength, and can be
used for aesthetic purposes. They
are durable, offer thermal and
sound insulation, and require
CONCRETE INFILL minimal maintenance.
PANELS :
These on usually large
precast concrete panels
thole height of one TIMBER INFILL PANELS
Storey and of a width are architectural components
dictated by the spacing typically used in building
of the home. They con construction. They are panels
be sheer top-hung or made of timber or wood that
bottom-supported. are used to fill in the gaps or
Panes that an integral spaces between structural
may be clad in other elements, such as steel or
materials, most typically concrete frames. These panels
stone. The maximum serve both functional and
panel size as generally aesthetic purposes in a
restricted by the building.
transport considerations
Sources : and
MGS Architecture grown tilting capacity
BRANZ Build Magazine 54 PURVA SHIRKE
Sunnyquick Manufacturers B.TECH. SEM V
sciencedirect.com
 LIVE CASE STUDY

BRICK INFILL PANELS : These

can be constructed from Siemens Kalwa Works
clay bricks or concrete 48, Thane - Belapur Rd ·
blocks, in a sold or cavity
form the same principles of
solid and cavity wall
construction apply to infill
panel walls. They can be
fixed to columns using wall The building features a modern design with a prominent glass envelope
ties cast of 300 mm that serves as the primary exterior surface.
centres, or located in
anchorites

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