1. Fa c a d e d e s i g n a n d e n g i n e e r i n g
Designing for
sustainability
Saulo Rozendo,
Global Strategic Marketer,
LEED AP,
Dow Corning Corporation
Imagine if the technology innovators and which requires all new builds to be ‘nearly zero construct, inhabit, and operate buildings.
industrialists of the past had known what we energy’ by 2020, and all public sector buildings World-class architecture has always been a
know now about carbon emissions and climate meeting that requirement by 2018. delicate balance of form and function.
change. Perhaps they would’ve factored more
efficient use of resources into the design and In the United States, voluntary green building As cities seek to create distinctive skylines
construction of the infrastructure to support standards have been established by the United to foster civic pride and attract greater
their vision of expanding economic growth. States Green Building Council (USGBC), which international recognition, architects and
administers a points-based system known as contractors are striving to meet the challenges
Much of the infrastructure and the majority of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental of new sustainability requirements, aesthetics,
buildings erected in the past is still in use today, Design), an internationally recognized third- comfort and safety.
retrofitting it to help mitigate today’s challenges party green building certification system.
of high energy prices and the effects of global Drivers for change
warming is complicated and expensive. LEED standards take into account many Building design and construction incur
building functions that work together to create environmental impacts of great magnitude
A new regulatory landscape a sustainable structure, such as materials and and relevance. According to the Sustainable
To help overcome those challenges, today’s resources, indoor environmental quality, energy Buildings Association, representing builders,
new construction projects should be built with and atmosphere, and site selection. architects, designers, manufacturers, housing
sustainability at their core. This approach makes associations and local authorities, buildings
sense, and is increasingly becoming mandatory; Driven by public policies and societal changes, account for around half of the U.K.’s CO2
this year the European Union strengthened green building is transforming the construction emissions and construction accounts for
the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, market and revolutionising the way we design, another seven percent. The Department for
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2. Fa c a d e d e s i g n a n d e n g i n e e r i n g Fa c a d e d e s i g n a n d e n g i n e e r i n g
Palacio de Comunicaciones mark-ups, adding another economic incentive, The Nw Beijing Poly Plaza
de Madrid and given the countless marketing campaigns
of today, environmental impact is likely to be
front-of-mind for decision makers in throughout
the value chain.
Practical Solutions - the role of
silicone technology
So how can the silicone-based products and
technologies that Dow Corning has been
supplying the construction industry with for
decades, evolve to add more value in this more
environmentally conscious built environment?
Silicon metal and silanes, for example, have
long been the backbone of the semiconductor
industry, and are a key component in
photovoltaic cells used to generate clean
energy using light from the sun.
But silicones as polymers also have unique
properties of tremendous value to the solar
industry. We are leveraging our expertise
in silicone chemistry, built over decades, to
developing a full range of products that address
the needs of the solar market at every step of
the value chain - and we are one of the few
companies worldwide able to offer customers
this comprehensive product and solutions
portfolio.
Thermal bonding solutions for thermal
solar collectors
Combined with silicone sealants and adhesives,
which reduce the thermal transmission of
curtain walls or windows, improve the air_
tightness of facades, and improve the service
life of facades and thermal solar collectors;
Silicone product range can and do enhance
the sustainability of any building project:
• Dow Corning’s European headquarters
in Belgium uses a high-performance triple
insulating glass that incorporates a photovoltaic
element. The system offers no facade
the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs A decade ago most decision-makers penetration, and therefore no thermal bridges;
(DEFRA) highlights, that landfilled waste from responsible for design, planning and and of course the durability and longevity
construction accounts for three times as much construction would not place much emphasis which is the hallmark silicone technology.
as domestic waste. on environmental impact; the business
environment of today is very different. Lower • The L-shaped courtyard of the Palacio de
With this in mind, it is clear that the choice of energy consumption will lead to lower costs Comunicaciones de Madrid incorporates
materials in the construction process can also in the long run given the steady rise of energy an L-shaped glass ceiling which has been
dramatically change the environmental impact prices, resulting in building professionals constructed from a triangular mesh of steel
of a building, particularly if large amounts likely making the extra investment in proper bars to form a grid shell.
of concrete and cement are used. It is up to insulation, resource-efficient processes and
stakeholders in the construction value chain, even onsite power generation. Due to its erratic shape and undulation
including companies such as Dow Corning, to triangular insulated glass units were
decide how best to address these concerns. Some green products will allow for higher manufactured of variable sizes for placement
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3. Fa c a d e d e s i g n a n d e n g i n e e r i n g
The Nw Beijing Poly Plaza superior stress-bearing capabilities. Travertine
stone blinds on the south and west sides
of the building ensure maximum sunlight
in winter and offer protective shading in
summer, reducing heating and air conditioning
requirements.
• Packaging and distribution also has an
environmental impact. Sausage packs reduce
sealant waste in the field, pails and cartridges
are made with recyclable polyethylene,
and fibre drums use 25% recycled steel in
the chines, covers, and bands. Water-based,
on-site dilutable products packaged in
reusable containers eliminate the need for
drum and solvent packaging, as well as
possible hazardous waste disposal; and IBCs
(intermediate bulk containers) are recyclable.
And our global network of storage and
distribution centres means products normally
travel less distance to their final destination.
Building sustainability in from
the start
What each of the projects have in common
is that silicone was factored into their
construction from the beginning rather than
as an afterthought. In each case, the
construction teams collaboratively worked
together, and shared and implemented best
practices with regard to the use of silicones
to enhance building sustainability. The overall
result was that the architects were able to make
best use of the materials available to them to
help achieve dramatic buildings with positive
environmental credentials.
Suppliers of mission-critical building materials
into the grid shell. The special solar control secondary edge seal in the insulating glass units like Dow Corning have a lot to offer in terms
glass used in these units required a secondary on each elevation of the glazed facade. of expertise and knowledge of how their
perimeter sealant which was not only tested for particular products can be used in everyday
compatibility with this glass type but which In areas where argon filled insulating glass units processes to help reduce the negative effect
also has the capability to withstand extreme were specified, Dow Corning worked in close an activity has on the world around us. In the
UV sunlight. Insulating Glass Silicone Sealant co-operation with unit manufacturer Sisecam, current business climate it is wise to leverage
was selected as the secondary perimeter seal to ensure that design and workmanship that kind of know-how.
for the solar control insulating glass units. considerations were instigated and that the
Silicone was also the product of choice for the insulating glass unit system as a whole was About Saulo Rozendo
weather proofing of the glass roof and the reliable and gas tight. Saulo Rozendo was named the new global
green building marketer for the Dow Corning
technical distributor/sealant applicator.
Construction Industry in May 2010. He brings
• The New Beijing Poly Plaza (Image 2+3) a host of green building experience to Dow
• Constructed to combine restaurants, cinemas, boasts the world’s largest flexible-cable glass Corning, such as leading more than 50 green
retail outlets and housing zones, the Sapphire curtainwall, which blurs the dividing line building projects within South America
Tower is one of the highest structures in Levent, between indoor and outdoor spaces and and Southeast Asia, including the first LEED
the central business district of Istanbul. The integrates the building with its surroundings. Platinum project in Brazil, training building
Sapphire Tower boasts an impressive and professionals to become LEED Accredited
Professionals, and ISO 14000 environmental
expansive facade consisting of 55000m2 of It was constructed using a silicone structural
management expertise.
glass. Silicone sealants were specified for the glazing sealant chosen especially for its
80 intelligent glass solutions