Continuously increasing requirements for energy efficiency are leading to a growing percentage of opaque, highly insulated façade areas in the building envelope. The façade system of the recently completed Futurium in Berlin demonstrates how opaque, ventilated rainscreens can be seamlessly integrated in a fully glazed curtain walling system.
Together with Arup and in cooperation with the industry the Berlin based architects Richter Musikowski developed an innovative, modular façade system consisting of prefabricated cassettes combining translucent textured glass on the front with a folded metal reflector on the back. The optical interplay of reflective, translucent and transparent surfaces results in a smooth and shimmering skin transforming continuously over the course of the day depending on the lighting conditions and viewing angle.
The variability of the system allows to combine several functions: Vision glazing and a ventilated rain-screen on the vertical as well as inclined and horizontal façade areas with the seamless integration of openings. Both strengthens the uniform appearance and sculptural quality of the building.
