Sustainable facades

Nachhaltige Fassade mit energieeffizientem und umweltschonendem modernem Design - Wiederverwendbare Materialien für eine nachhaltige Bauweise
25 | 01 | 2023

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.
Single-shell & lightweight. 

Sustainability has become increasingly important in recent years and now affects almost all areas of life. This trend has also taken hold in the building industry and it is becoming increasingly important to find sustainable solutions. An important component of a building is the facade, which is responsible for both protection and appearance. A sustainable façade is therefore of great importance in finding solutions that make sense both ecologically and economically. In this context, various aspects such as energy efficiency, materials and maintenance are considered.

Sustainable facade cladding with a ceramic.

Climate change, carbon footprint, BIM, sustainable building – all these terms are more topical than ever. Accompanied by greenwashing, bizarre certificates and self-made balances, almost every company is climate-friendly with its products – and also uses this supposed image in its external communication. The fact is:

  • Clay is the building material from nature and is mined regionally.
  • Sustainable facade cladding should be manufactured by companies in the region or, if possible, domestically. If products have to be purchased from outside the region for quality reasons, aspects such as durability, freedom from maintenance and sustainability must be taken into account.
  • Thanks to its single-shell structure and a special manufacturing process, the terracotta façade is extremely lightweight – this reduces the costs of your building project (up to approx. 10-25% cheaper compared to other double-shell terracotta façades with a visible profile of approx. 28 mm), saves resources, reduces CO2 emissions during production, saves transport capacity and noticeably limits the consumption of stainless steel and aluminum for the substructure.

Advantages of a sustainable terracotta facade

Sustainable terracotta facades offer a variety of benefits, both to the environment and to the building’s occupants. Some of these benefits include:

  1. Energy efficiency: sustainable terracotta facades are able to regulate heat inside the building and reduce energy costs.
  2. Environmental protection: terracotta is a natural and recyclable material that emits little CO2 during production.
  3. Durability: terracotta facades are very durable and require little maintenance, resulting in lower costs and less impact on the environment.
  4. Fire Resistance: terracotta facades are fire resistant, making them ideal for buildings in fire hazard areas.
  5. Design options: sustainable terracotta facades allow for a wide variety of shapes and colors that can enhance the appearance of the building.
  6. Weather resistance: terracotta is resistant to moisture and extreme weather conditions, making it an ideal choice for buildings in different climates.

Example of a sustainable facade – ceramics and photovoltaics

Ceramic facades have a long tradition in architecture and have always been considered robust and durable. With the integration of photovoltaic modules, they now have an additional, forward-looking function: environmentally friendly energy generation.

This combination of proven ceramic technology and modern solar elements is a prime example of how tradition and progress can work together synergistically. The refurbishment in Lindau shows that the use of sustainable facade solutions does not require any compromises in terms of design, but rather enriches the architecture.

Following the renovation and extension, the men’s dormitory has a uniform form and clear architectural language. Photo: Leipfinger-Bader GmbH

Example refurbishment, sustainable ceramic façade with photovoltaic modules, Lake Constance residential home – for reference

Projects like this are real milestones on the way to more sustainable and resource-saving construction methods. They prove that innovative façade solutions are not only ecologically sensible, but can also be an aesthetic enrichment for architecture. A masterpiece of modernization that should serve as inspiration and motivation for future renovation projects.

Sustainability of a TONALITY ceramic as a sustainable facade

Sustainable architecture needs facts:

  • up to 50 % lighter in weight than conventional terracotta tiles
  • up to 50 % less transport effort
  • up to 50 % less primary substructure required
  • up to 50 % less static load on the facade
Ventilated ceramic facade as a sustainable facade.

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