文档介绍：ISSUE 1/2006 VOLUME 23 NUMBER 1
Journal of architectural
technology published by
Hoffmann Architects, Inc.,
specialists in the rehabilitation
of building exteriors.
Curtain Walls:
Not Just Another Pretty Façade
Russell M. Sanders, AIA
T hey’re unique, they’re aesthetically building structure, but is not load-bearing.
pleasing and they serve as a barrier to A true curtain wall is the façade element
the elements. And with today’s demand that forms the weather barrier for the
for energy efficiency and alternative building, but it doesn’t support the
power sources, a curtain wall provides a structure. It can have many different
solution. During the last two decades, appearances, but its characteristic
curtain wall systems have not only makeup features narrowly spaced
evolved, they’ve grown incrementally vertical and horizontal mullions with
popular in building construction. In fact, glass, stone, metal posite panels.
the curtain wall is considered one of the
most influential developments in the A Brief History of Curtain Walls
history of modern architecture.
The development of curtain walls has
What is a Curtain Wall? added another dimension to the building
industry. Today, buildings faced with
The curtain wall is one of the most curtain walls are associated with modern,
ponents of today’mercial architecture. Their stream-
building