Architectural Applications of Nanomaterials

THE LOTUS EFFECT:

Characteristics - Microscopically rough, not smooth. Hydrophobic - water trickles off. 

ARCHITECTURE  Renner Hainke Wirth Architekten, Hamburg, Germany 

CLIENT  Joint ownership Martens per Schumann Immobilien KG 

PRODUCT  Lotusan, self - cleaning paint (Lotus-Effect) 

MANUFACTURER  Sto

COMPLETION  2007

AREA  3685 sq meteres

As with earlier renovation projects, the architects chose to use self-cleaning facade coatings for the irrenovation of a 1970s housing estate. The estate consists of a high-rise block as well as a number of multi-story terraced housing blocks. The renovated elevations are clad in a composite thermal insulation system with a pigmented render coating in light beige and red. As part of the redesign, window recesses were given color high- lights, the house entrances were made more prominent, wired glazing was replaced with transparent clear glass, bathrooms were given windows and the under sides of balconies were painted in color. The differentiated coloring of the new facades is most apparent. Warm colors in a palette between yellow and red l end the entire estate a pleasant and unified appearance. As regards the self-cleaning function, Hamburg proves to be an ideal location as there is no lack of rain.

EASY-TO-CLEAN:

Characteristics - Smooth surfaces with reduced surface attraction. Surface repellence without using the Lotus-Effect. 

ARCHITECTURE  Carlos Martinez Architekten, Widnau SG, Switzerland 

LIGHT DESIGN  Vogt & Partner, Winterthur, Switzerland 

ART  Pipilotti Rist, Zurich, Switzerland

CLIENT  Raiffeisenbank St. Gallen 

PRODUCT  Nano-Vitro

MANUFACTURER  NanoSys 

COMPLETION  2005 

In spring 2005, the carefully designed urban ensemble of the Raiffeisenbank was completed in the centre of St. Gallen. The outdoor spaces are designed as an "urban lounge", the winning project from an earlier ideas competition. The project is as novel as it is radical, covering the jagged urban space of the neighbourhood in carpet - a tongue-in-cheek public living room for lounging around in. "Lightbubbles" that appear to float in the lounge provide diffuse light. With a diameter of 3 m and a mother-of-pearl-like fibreglass covering made of Scobalit, the lights both function as illumination and create an atmospheric mood through coloured light. The surface is covered with a dirt, snow and ice-repel- 

lent coating, which is ultra-thin, transparent and unaffected by UV light. Its anti-adhesive function ensures that dirt, which with time would impair the intensity of the light, is washed away with the rain. The lights are also equipped with fan heaters, a "plan B" for melting snow and ice. The coating has a limited lifetime, and must be renewed after several months. 

THERMAL INSULATION: VACUUM INSULATION PANELS (VIP):

Characteristics - Maximum thermal insulation, minimal insulation thickness. 

ARCHITECTURE  Rolf Disch, Freiburg, Germany 

ART  Erich Wi esner , Herbert Dreiseitl 

CLI ENT  Solarsielung GmbH 

PRODUCT  Vacuum insulation panel

COMPLETION  2006

AREA   6500 sq meters

The mixed - useresidential and commercial centre is situated next door to a solar housing estate and provides new amenities that were previously not locally available. The Sonnenschiff's forward-looking concept combines an economic and efficient use of energy with the use of regenerative energy sources, to the extent that the building produces more energy than it consumes. Solar and wind energy as well as geothermal warmth are utilised and natural, regenerative and recyclable building materials are employed Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) have been used for insulation and phase change material (PCM) latent heat storage systems for regulating indoor temperatures - both highly energy efficient systems. The V1Ps constitute  the insulation of the external walls and window parapets as well as the ventilation flaps on the main facade. Compared with other insulation materials of  the same thickness, they offer ten times better insulation. PCMs in the walls and roof construction store ambient heat as they change material state . As such they help keep rooms cool and passively regulate the indoor air temperature . The concept is rounded off by an ingenious light, ventilation and heating concept . The implementation of a colorful artistic concept gives the building an eye-catching appearance.

THERMAL INSULATION: AEROGEL

Characteristics: High-performance thermal insulation. Light and airy nanofoam.

ARCHITECTURE  Agence MA, Murail Architectures, Nantes, France 

CLIENT  City of Carquefou 

PRODUCT  Multi-wall panels with Nanogel filling 

MANUFACTURER  Cabot Corporation

COMPLETION  2006

AREA OF SPORTS HALLS  3360 sq meter

FACADE SURFACE  1450 sq meters

All elevations of this sports complex have been clad with aerogel-filled multi-wall polycarbonate panels. With this construction the architects voluntarily com- ply with the guidelines set down by the French "green" environmental initiative Haute Qualite Environnementale (HQE). Additional solar protection is unnecessary, allowing a clean and unified appearance uninterrupted by brise-soleils or louvres. Natural daylight provides an even and glare-free illumination of the indoor space, and additional indoor lighting is not necessary during the day There are no cast shadows that could be distracting for certain sports. The thermal insulating effect of the aerogel panels also reduces the heat demand: a 25 mm thick panel has a U-value of 0.89 W/m^K and is available in 1.05 m wide panels of up to 6 m in length. 

FIRE-PROOF MATERIALS:

Characteristics - Highly efficient fire protection. Light and transparent. 

ARCHITECTURE  Murphy/Jahn, Chicago, IL, USA 

CLIENT  Deutsche Post Bauen

PRODUCT  SGG Contraflam fire safety glass 

MANUFACTURER  Vetrotech SaintGobain 

COMPLETION  2005 

AREA  90,000 m2 gross floor area

The landmark 160 m high office tower in Bonn, the former capital city of Germany on the River Rhine, accommodates more than 2000 members of staff. The oval tower's fagade is clad in high-tech transparent glazing and transparent materials are also used throughout its interiors: glazed partitions, glazed staircases and glazed connecting bridges are central elements of the interior design concept. A fire safety glass with a particularly slender profile was selected for the project. Space, form, construction and materials are carefully coordinated, resulting in a harmonious overall concept. 

ANTIBACTERIAL:

Characteristics - Bacteria are targeted and destroyed. The use of disinfectants can be reduced. Supports hygiene methods - especially in health care environments. 

ARCHITECTURE Schweitzer + Partner, Braunschweig, Germany 

CLIENT Harzkliniken, Goslar 

PRODUCT "Hydrotect" tiles, photocatalytic surface with antibacterial effect 

MANUFACTURER Agrob Buchtal Architectural Ceramics, Deutsche Steinzeug AG 

COMPLETION 2005 

In both operating theatres, the floors and walls have been clad in photocatalytic tiles. Hygiene is of primary importance in operating theatres and antibacterial tiling contributes to lessening the risk of infection. In the Klinikum im Friedrichshain, the architects have gone one step further and minimised the amount of tile joints, lessening weak points where bacteria can settle and lending the room a calmer appearance. Large- format tiling is more difficult to lay, and a conventional tile format was chosen for the high-tech antibacterial tiles used in the Harzkliniken. The light-colored grouting contrasts pleasantly with the fresh green tiling.