Story

ETFE - thought again
Text: Tobias Schneider

Boundless possibilities with “off the peg” profiles? With the world's first serially producible ETFE façade modular system, ETFE_THERM+ RAICO solves planning and design tasks in one go. And wins SILVER in the 2018 Architects' Darling Award at the first go.

As alluring as the visual possibilities of modern ETFE buildings may be, it's usually only specialised planning offices who dare to take on the technical challenges, the laborious planning process and the lengthy development time. One of these is the Munich engineering firm Leicht. When looking for a scalable steel façade system, the ETFE planners quickly hit on RAICO: The starting signal for productive collaboration and the founding of FJP-tec as the exclusive supplier for RAICO.

From problem to idea

“We didn't want to be constantly replanning, but to develop something once and to be able to combine it again and again,” explains FJP-tec founder Peter Herbert, who (among other things) collaborated in planning the ETFE façade of the Allianz Arena in Munich. ”With the THERM+ FS-I system, we've found the perfect framework for realising a modular, scalable ETFE façade solution.“ Michelle Herdlitschka, Technical System Planner at RAICO, agrees: ”Our steel façade system offers everything you need to cover a surface with ETFE modules. Above all, it enables the absorption of greater horizontal forces with narrow face widths. For the very first time, this gives the user the possibility of installing ETFE elements as easily as glass or panels.” 

 

Special commando unit for creating the ETFE façade: Jochen Arndt (FJP-Tec), Michael Kaufmann (RAICO), Michelle Herdlitschka (RAICO), Florian Weininger (FJP-Tec) and Peter Herbert (FJP-Tec).
Special commando unit for creating the ETFE façade: Jochen Arndt (FJP-Tec), Michael Kaufmann (RAICO), Michelle Herdlitschka (RAICO), Florian Weininger (FJP-Tec) and Peter Herbert (FJP-Tec).

Not just castles in the air 

After only a short time, it became clear just how goal-oriented and fruitful the collaboration was. All the participating partners were able to mutually benefit from one another's know-how, and to learn from and grow with one another. Soon, the first prototypes were being produced by 3D printing, minutely examined for practical applicability and continually improved. The result: a harmonious combination of the RAICO steel façade, ETFE modules and plenty of design freedom.

 Prototype via 3D printing
Prototype via 3D printing

A fully-developed technology

Whereas ETFE façades could hitherto only be implemented as an elaborate special solution, the RAICO ETFE_THERM+ system is now revolutionising this field with an undreamt-of modularity that also offers many technical advantages. “The thermal separation of the frame profile markedly improves building physics performance. The air supply system is integrated invisibly into the beam-and-post system. It's even possible to combine ETFE_THERM+ elements and standard glazing with no problem,” enthuses FJP-tec founding partner Jochen Arndt. 

“The foils can be produced in a printed, single-coloured or transparent design.  The individual elements can also be illuminated with multi-coloured lights.“ (Michelle Herdlitschka, RAICO)
“The foils can be produced in a printed, single-coloured or transparent design. The individual elements can also be illuminated with multi-coloured lights.“ (Michelle Herdlitschka, RAICO)

A successful premiere

Even before the market launch, the concept study scored high at the Architects' Darling Award 2018, winning SILVER in the Product Innovation Technology category. The jury evidently liked the versatility of the design. Whether single or multi-coloured, printed or unprinted ETFE modules, LED-backlit sheets, translucent insulation panels on the inside or the possibility of combining them with other materials – the RAICO ETFE_THERM+ system will give architects' ideas plenty of room to grow in the future.

Architects Darling 2018 Innovation 

 

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