Façades with a climatic factor: woven sun protection

Metal mesh as the exterior skin of a building provides a constantly changing stage for architecture by light interplay and gives form to architectural visions. In doing so it fulfils many functions: the resilient and low-maintenance material offers reliable fire, fall and weather protection, takes over climate regulation as well as energy functions and serves as aesthetically-appealing sun protection.

Particularly in countries with hot climates a metal mesh façade gives buildings a breathable cladding, offering natural ventilation and effectively filtering unwanted sunlight at the same time. In Alcalá de Henares, a town in the Spanish of Madrid, the Parador Alcalá de Henares is clad with a woven sun protector from GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG. In total 1900 m2 of Tigris mesh were installed as protective two-layer cladding in front of the exterior wall of the hotel, which is housed in the former Dominican convent of Santo Tomás. The Tigris sun protector ensures a comfortable climate in the room and allows an unhindered view, but shields the interior environment from undesirable insight.

Whether as complete cladding or in the form of mobile individual elements: metal meshes from GKD - Gebr. Kufferath AG reduce the solar energy input. This not only optimises the interior climatic and lighting conditions, it also considerably reduces investment and running costs for the building services and air-conditioning technology. A woven sun protector not only represents cost savings, it is also a safeguard as well as a fascinating light filter.