Course Learning Objectives:
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Walls can be quickly opened & closed
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Units can be fully or partially opened
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With an odd number of panels on one side, a single swing door is possible. With an odd number of panels on both sides, a pair of swing doors is possible.
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A multitude of stacking configurations, as well as inward or outward opening options are available.
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All structural loads are within the plane of the opening
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No auxiliary track or support is needed for the stacking bay
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Ceiling mounted & floor mounted systems are available
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Variations are paired panels & center pivot options
The objective of this course is to describe possible design solutions for large openings. The designer will learn about:
Challenges associated with large openings
Variations/flexibility of large opening glass walls
Successful Design Solutions for large openings
Challenges of Large Openings:
Large openings present several architectural challenges. To name a few:
Structure/Openness - The balance of structure vs. openness
Weather - Preventing weather infiltration (water, wind, heat)
Operation/Geometry - Smooth function
Structure/Openness:
Architecturally speaking, openness can be described as the ratio of space vs. solid. One challenge with large architectural openings is that large openings in the exterior envelope require either a heavy horizontal structural member (such as a beam)
or repetitive vertical structural members (such as columns).
With a large opening, the compromise is a choice between an unconventional structural system or a series of disruptive columns.
Although the unconventional structural system might provide the desired clear space the cost might be prohibitive. Whereas if the designer uses conventional structural members (beams & columns) an opening that exceeds the standard column spacing might be obliterated by columns. Structural constraints are just one challenge of large architectural openings.
Weather:
Another concern associated with large openings is weather infiltration. Theoretically, the potential for weather infiltration into a building is a multiple of the number of penetrations in the building envelope. To illustrate using a simplistic example, the potential for infiltration into a secured envelope (no fenestration)
should be less likely than infiltration into a penetrated envelope (with fenestration)
Weather presents a measurable challenge with any opening that can be magnified when using large exterior openings.
Testing:
In the same way that larger openings challenge weather resistance, large opening geometry affects the operation.
Operation/Geometry:
Further complicating the use of large exterior openings is geometry. As geometry grows more complex
a straight line
angled line
curved line
the physical operation of door or window elements conforming (or in many cases not conforming) to the geometry grows increasingly more complex as well. So, in order to successfully design a solution for large exterior openings, the designer needs materials that are tailored for large openings.
A Solution for Large Exterior Openings:
The opening glass wall
One such material designed for large exterior openings is an opening glass wall. Usually the term ôwallö in construction terminology is an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area.
In contrast to the image above, this definition does not restrict the term "wall" to a solid wall. In fact, walls often include glass partitions of the "storefront" variety. Now, combine the storefront appearance with a folding door or operable partition & you have an opening glass wall. In essence, an opening glass wall is a fully functioning wall component that is operable.
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A glass wall is a combination
of door leafs either connected or not connected used as a design element
to achieve a degree of enclosure (security or weather) & expansive openness;
depending on the desired function of the space involved. An opening glass
wall is designed as different systems. For simplicity, & to better explain
the different systems, the opening glass wall is divided into 2 categories.
The first is the folding system
& the second is the individual panel
system.
The folding
systems are panels that are hinged together at each panel via a contiguous
train. The train assembly, which is supported by way of a roller-track,
can be located either at the top or bottom of the system frame, depending
on the system. Hence the ôTop Hungö systems and ôFloor Mountedö systems.
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This train assembly does not need to be continuous in the opening. It can be divided into some panels folding to the right side jamb and some panels sliding to the right side jamb. With an odd number of panels to one side jamb, a swing panel option is achieved.
Visual
Examples:
The animations in this
course are resource intensive. Clicking the link below titled "Animation
1" will load another page. You need the Macromedia
Shockwave Player to view these animations. Animations run best on a
high speed connection. To see the animation for the
folding system, double click the image title ôAnimation 1ö.
Design Features:
Folding System design features of a folding opening glass wall are:
The individual panel system is composed of separate panels. In the closed position, these systems look virtually the same. The greatest difference is how each system opens & how the door/window is stored in the open position.
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Individual Panels Systems are similar to the Folding Wall Systems in that they consist of the same components, Head Track, Jamb Tracks, Flush Sill (if desired). However instead of the panels being linked together via a train assembly, each panel is a separate entity unto itself. This system offers the most flexibility when it comes to stacking bay requirements and/or retractability .
Visual Examples:
To see the animation
for the individual panel system, click
the link titled ôAnimation 2ö.
Now that you understand
the 2 types of systems & have seen examples of their operation, the next
section further describes the system flexibility.
Generally, the folding
system is available in either wood frame, metal frame metal-covered wood
frame & all glass.
Swing Panels:
A swing panel is one (or more) panel(s) in the individual panel system that operates like an incorporated swinging door. For an illustration of the swing panel operation, watch Animation 3 below: The swing panel is the middle (3rd panel). Various configurations will allow a swing panel & actual location of the swing panel might vary depending on the number of total panels in the system
Multitude of Stacking Configurations:
Although there are constraints, both the folding glass wall & the individual panel glass wall can use several different stacking configurations. The folding glass wall offers inward opening, outward opening, center pivoted options or unhinged paired panels. Whereas the individual panel glass wall is more imaginative; a designer can realize over 30 potential stacking configurations.
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Panel System - Interior |
Folding System - Exterior |
Folding System - Interior |
Some
Possible Individual Panel Stacking
Options
Click the link titled "Animation 3" to see one possible stacking option.
Panel Variations:
Opening glass walls are called a "system" because if specified correctly, the system is a coordinated glass wall. This means that with compatible manufacturers the opening glass wall possibility is expanded to encompass various folding doors and folding window combinations, matching swing entry doors, transoms, side lites, and corner posts.
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Folding System or Individual Panel System:
As is the case with any design, the decision to use the folding system or the individual panel system is usually determined by the advantages. Most solutions are solved with the folding system but each system has its limitations & advantages.
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Comparison |
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| Folding System | Individual Panel |
| When opened, panels remain 90 degrees to the track | Panels can be stacked outside the plane of the opening (disappearing walls) |
| Channel is required in the floor tack as a guide | Floor track can be eliminated & the surface can be smooth |
| Total openings limited to about 30' (exterior) or 40' (interior) | Number of panels is virtually unlimited |
| Versatile | Versatile * 2 |
| Difficult large opening solutions | Complicated large openings where folding system won't do |
| Track layouts follow the plane | Track layouts are diverse |
| Floor mounted or top hung systems | Only top hung systems available |
| Large panels available | Larger panels available |
| Requires trained installer | Requires Specialty installer |
| Structural steel may or may not be necessary | Structural steel is usually required |
| Floor mounted possible | Header above the unit must be structurally supported |
| Less cost for a standard opening | Higher cost for similar opening |
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Combine folding systems & individual panels together for greater flexibility. |
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Design Solution 1:
Recording studio:
Design requirements: Individual recording, asynchronous group recording or synchronous group recording all in the same studio. Requires sound separation.
Solution: Surprisingly, the solution for this scenario was an opening glass wall. Most designers believe that glass walls are not a good solution when acoustic privacy is desired. But, certain opening glass wall systems (with insulated laminated glass) offer an STC39 rated assembly. Use of higher performance sound insulating glass can achieve even higher STC values. Using the opening glass wall permitted different recording artists to record their individual songs without interference from surrounding artists. But, the opening glass wall also offered the added benefit of group recording either together or separate. As a bonus, the opening glass wall permitted visual coordination with acoustic privacy. The wall (in the closed position) permitted visual synch without significant sound intrusion.
The recording studio is a specialized application but a similar solution is partitions in restaurant interiors to separate a "party" room from a serene dining area. This application permits the room to feel open yet maintain separation between a potentially jovial crowd & a more sedate clientele. Most importantly, opening the wall allows the spaces to expand for larger entertainment or dining areas.
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Glass walls can also be used for entry
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Design Solution 2:
Restaurant/Cafe
Design Requirements: Fair weather dining; simultaneous interior & exterior dining.
Solution: It is common for a restaurateur to provide "cafe" style dining where patrons have the option (climate permitting) to dine "al fresco". The dining room or restaurant application above is not limited to interior spaces. There are multiple design options for exterior/interior dining arrangements. The objective is to allow unobstructed access to outdoor dining, yet provide weather protection for times when seasonal fluctuations make outdoor dining less palatable. The design solutions are nearly limitless but a few options for functionality & weather protection include multiple swing doors (like paired French doors), sliding glass doors, overhead rolling doors, & opening glass walls. Using the opening glass wall as an example, the animation below illustrates the mix of exterior & interior space to form a dining arrangement for all seasons. Animation 4 shows an example in a restaaurant setting.
The solution is equally applicable for an entrance
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or a fully open facade
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Design Solution 3:
Which situation is better for the folding system instead of the individual panel system?
There are situations where an individual panel system is the better option. First, about 85% of all design solutions can be solved by the more economical (lower cost, easier use, faster operation, minimal structural support) folding system. But, in situations where you need an opening without a floor groove (U-channel), or you want the door stored out of the plane of the opening, the individual panel system is the better solution. Often times, the best design solution is the one with which you are most familiar. For example, if you have experience with operable wall partitions & desire similar functionality for your large exterior openings, the individual panel solution is a natural choice.
Design Solution 4:
Open Corner
Design Requirements: 90 degree opening with an open corner.
Solution: For many design solutions, openness is achieved by eliminating the solid (wall) between the structural members. The appearance is a skeletal structure & an open envelope.
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Sometimes, using a serpentine or curved wall provides a more pronounced openness as shown in Animation 5.
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Where more openness is desired, an open corner is another option.
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Design Solution 5:
Stadium Sky Box
Design Requirements: indoor space/outdoor space or both simultaneously
Solution: The sky box in an athletic stadium is a unique design application. One such solution to satisfy the indoor/outdoor atmosphere is an opening glass wall. For example, when the weather is clear & the fans want the outdoor experience, the sky box could open completely. If there were some fans who wanted the out door experience while others wanted to remain indoors, the same configuration could allow an indoor area & an outdoor area. For days when weather prevents outdoor exposure, the featured wall can provide full containment. In the illustration below, the starting position is the fully contained sky box. The finished shot is the situation where different fans want an indoor or outdoor experience. Animation 7 shows the full open position.
Design Solution 6:
Solarium or Greenhouse
Design Requirements: Year round functionality
Solution: For all glass structures such as a solarium or a greenhouse, an opening glass wall provides maximum functionality for large exterior openings. During winter months, where heat gain is desired, the room can be closed & weather tight, but during summer months when an exterior space with cover is desired, the wall can be partially or fully opened for degrees of separation or openness. one example is a circular solarium
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Using the same concept as above, a greenhouse or rectilinear solarium offers similar functionality -- whether outside --
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-- or inside --
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Design Solution 7:
Hidden Doors:
Design Requirements: Concealed doors
Solution: For those occasions where the designer wants doors concealed, the individual panel systems offer multiple stacking options. Many of the potential stacking options are ideas from designers. Basically, the individual panel systems can be stored in many different ways. The illustration below shows how the panels can be moved completely out of the door plane.
The photos show other options for concealing the individual panels.
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The list of potential solutions is virtually endless. The purpose of this course is not to provide typical solutions for rigid design problems but instead to expand the design portfolio in the same fashion that the opening glass wall expands building space. Glass walls are an additional tool in a design palette for solving large exterior opening design problems.
End of Course: