Rob Gregory unwraps the latest cladding innovations.

501 OKALUX

As an expression of the building's principal internal organizational device, the facade of the new Dutch Embassy in Berlin by Rem Koolhaas features a unique mix of glass, steel and aluminium components, assembled in dynamic relief. As the labyrinthine promenade weaves its way through the structure's eight levels, the facade is articulated by a series of sculptural windows that cut through a backdrop facade that features 250 sq m of insulating glass panels by Okalux set within deep channelled aluminium mullions. The expression of this sinuous trajectory, which is revealed at key moments on the surface of the building's cubic form, has produced a unique and distinctive facade recently recognized with a BDA Berlin Award for Architecture.

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502 MOEDING

As part of their 1991 Duisburg masterplan, Foster and Partners have recently completed a collection of 68 low-cost apartments, which feature rain-screen cladding from Moeding. The flats are north-south orientated, with living and dining areas located on the south side and the bedrooms to the north. While the southerly spaces open out onto a terrace, balcony or verandah, the northerly elevations are more enclosed, being clad in solid areas of ceramic tiles in a colour that matches the bricks of the existing grain store buildings opposite.

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503 PHP GLASTEC SYSTEME

The recently completed residential tower, No I Deansgate, has brought 84 fully glazed luxury units to the heart of Manchester city centre. Each apartment features an external sky garden enclosed by an unsealed single skin of clear-glazed louvres. Designed by Manchester-based Ian Simpson Architects in collaboration with php glastec Systeme from Germany, the louvre system is operated electronically by individual occupants, except in extreme weather conditions, when wind and rain sensors connected to the central override system will instantaneously close the entire 5000 sq m envelope.

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504 TECHNAL

Curtain walling systems by Technal have been installed by Saint Gobain Solaglas on two recent projects in the south of England. As part of the refurbishment of Sir Basil Spence's Southampton University Students Union Building, the MC Trame system was chosen for its verticality, with no visible horizontal mullions. Finished in satin black, the installation includes Technal's CD commercial hinged doors at ground level, and supports cedar brise-soleil above. Bournemouth Library features large spans of Technal's specially adapted MC curtain walling, which incorporates special caps that accentuate the verticality of the sections. The system holds large 3900mm X 1700mm low E units, and supports silver mesh screens above the main entrance and brise-soleil above the ribbon glazing to the south elevation.

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Enquiry 504 www.arplus.com/enq.html

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