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117 patent glazing roofs with cantilever windows
One of Spain’s major airports, which handles over 10 million passengers annually, has been extended. Daylight illumination and fire safety were crucial issues in the new passenger terminals. The architects responsible, GOP Oficina the Proyectos S.A., therefore involved Brakel Atmos early in the design phase to engineer 117 prefab patent glazing roof units. The last units were installed recently.
Transparency on ‘piles’
The most striking feature of this terminal is that it is built on piles. On top of 117 of these legs, 3 x 3 metre glazed roof units with a gradient of 5º have been installed. These units protrude above the rest of the terminal roof like tree huts, as it were. Not only does this create a comfortable environment within the terminal, it also lends the building its unique and prestigious appearance.
Fire safety and ventilation
Each of the 117 patent glazing roof units is divided into four segments, which comprise either 1, 3 or 4 cantilever windows. One of the windows was fitted to enable the execution of maintenance work. The others play a significant role in the terminal’s fire safety facilities, as they provide for the extraction of heat and smoke in the even of fire. In practice, however, they will also be opened on a daily basis to provide the necessary ventilation to create a pleasant indoor climate.
Swift installation: prefab
One of the key requirements set was that installation could be carried out swiftly and efficiently. A solution was therefore devised comprising an assembly technique whereby the prefab units were fitted to the steel structure while still on the ground. This method enabled the installation of 10 patent glazing roof units per week. The final glazing unit was installed recently. |
