Complex parametric free-form facades

3D printing of steel nodes for Jansen's facades

Innovators from the Swiss company Jansen are using a metal 3D printer to create steel facade nodes. This is the result of a research collaboration between the Dutch TU Delft, German engineering company knippershelbig GmbH, Austrian MG Metalltechnik GmbH and Jansen. The results of the work were presented at the BAU 2023 global construction exhibition in Munich.

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Left: a metal powder or a wire melt by a 3D printer. Right: Selective laser melting — a metal powder applied in a thin layer and melted into a solid structure by a laser. Photo: Andrii Leso

Any connection corresponds to the load on the facade or roof with a multiplied safety factor. Because every new element cannot be tested for compliance with building requirements.

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The node and the profile are connected without any special tools. The facade is self-supporting and does not require any substructures. Photo: Andrii Leso

The Jansen façade is an example of a qualitative upgrade of the capabilities of a traditional system. It allows architects to implement new forms and create free-form facades.

Schüco Grid2Shell free-form facade

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The Grid2Shell facade was transported from the training centre in the UAE especially for the Schuco stand at BAU 2023 Photo: OKNA.ua

Schuco took advantage of the BAU trade fair to present the self-supporting aluminium facade Grid2Shell.

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Design freedom with rectangular, polygonal or triangular modules Photo: Tonnie Richard Wong

Each unit make individually for the project. During production, the nodes are numbered and labelled to facilitate installation. The support profiles screw to the nodes at the marked point. No additional welded joints are required.

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Плавний перехід і високий ступінь безпеки Photo: Tonnie Richard Wong

Schueco Grid2Shell allows for three-dimensional roof and façade structures without steel substructures. You can create a smooth transition from the vertical level of the façade to the roof area.