Top-Down Curtain Wall Renovation Using Temporary Weather Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-rise curtain wall renovation in densely populated metropolitan areas faces challenges such as high costs due to rental losses, prolonged re-occupancy wait periods, and the need for temporary weather shielding, as well as technical issues like architectural inflexibility and safety concerns when reusing old anchoring systems.
Innovation Solution
A top-down curtain wall renovation method using a temporary weather shield system with dry anchoring devices and reusable panels and mullions that can be easily installed and reused floor-by-floor, eliminating the need for fasteners and allowing for flexible grid line design changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If top-down renovation method is used, then immediate re-occupancy of renovated floors is achieved and construction traffic is minimized, but temporary weather shielding costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the weather shielding function from the permanent curtain wall system and implements it as a separate, temporary system. The temporary weather shield is installed independently on the interior side of the renovation zone, allowing it to be removed once renovation is complete without affecting the permanent curtain wall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary weather shielding system is designed to be temporary and removable. After serving its protective function during renovation, the system can be dismantled and components recovered or disposed of, avoiding permanent installation costs and allowing flexibility in renovation scheduling.
2Loss of energy
If old anchoring systems are reused, then cost is reduced, but architectural inflexibility and safety issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system is segmented into modular components including dry anchoring devices, connection clips, and mullions that can be independently positioned and configured. This modular approach allows the system to adapt to different architectural grid line designs while maintaining cost efficiency through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The dry anchoring devices and connection clips are designed as universal components that can be used across different floor slabs and curtain wall configurations. The system provides multi-functionality by supporting both temporary weather shielding and permanent curtain wall installation with the same anchoring infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If traditional renovation methods are used, then construction simplicity is maintained, but prolonged re-occupancy periods and safety risks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary weather shielding system is installed in advance before curtain wall panel removal begins. This preliminary action creates a protected environment that allows safe removal of old panels and installation of new panels without exposing occupants to weather risks, enabling continuous building operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary weather shield acts as an intermediary barrier between the construction zone and the occupied building interior. This intermediate structure isolates the renovation activities from the occupied spaces, allowing construction to proceed without compromising occupant safety or comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A curtain wall renovation system for an exterior of a building includes a plurality of new mullions attached to a top surface of a first floor slab of a first floor and extending downwardly external to the building and below an outer edge of the first floor slab, and a temporary weather shield system assembled in a second floor below the first floor and inset from an outer edge of a second floor slab. The temporary weather shield system includes a plurality of dry anchoring devices fastened to a top surface of the second floor slab, a plurality of temporary mullions supported on the top surface of the second floor slab and each including a bottom and a top, and a plurality of reusable panels, each reusable panel being secured to two laterally adjacent temporary mullions of the plurality of temporary mullions.