Rock-Clad Facade Module for Lightweight Stone-Look Building Skins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing facade modules with high surface area glazed layers lack aesthetic variety and are structurally heavy, limiting design freedom and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A facade module incorporating a rock layer as the outer face, combined with a glazed and insulated inner layer, allowing for varied aesthetic designs and reduced weight through the use of rock fragments bonded to an intermediate glass layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a high surface area glazed layer is used to create a light and aesthetic facade, then the aesthetic quality and lightness of the facade is improved, but the structural weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The facade is divided into modular units, each containing a separation plate with rock fragments. This segmentation allows the rock to be used as a cladding layer rather than a structural element, reducing the overall structural weight while maintaining aesthetic quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation plate combines multiple materials: an inner glazed layer for light transmission, an intermediate layer for structural support, and rock fragments as a cladding layer for aesthetics. This composite structure allows the rock to serve as a non-structural aesthetic element, reducing the weight burden on the building structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional heavy stone materials are used to create varied aesthetic facades, then the aesthetic diversity is improved, but the cost and structural weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses rock fragments rather than solid stone blocks. These smaller rock pieces are significantly cheaper and easier to manufacture with, while still providing the desired aesthetic diversity when arranged in patterns on the facade modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Different rock types, colors, and arrangements can be used in different facade modules or even within different sections of the same module. This allows for aesthetic diversity and customization without the prohibitive cost of using expensive traditional stone materials throughout.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables aesthetically diverse and robust facades with reduced weight and cost, utilizing lightweight rock fragments that mimic traditional stone facades without the need for heavy, expensive materials.
Implementation Method 1
A facade module incorporating a rock layer as the outer face, combined with a glazed and insulated inner layer, allowing for varied aesthetic designs and reduced weight through the use of rock fragments bonded to an intermediate glass layer
Data Source
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AI summary
Said facade module (18), designed to separate an interior area (14) from an exterior area (16) of a building space (17), comprises: - a partition plate (24), comprising an inner face (28) and an outer face (30), the partition plate comprising an inner glazed layer (32) forming the inner face (28), and - an attachment member (26) of the partition plate (24) designed to attach the partition plate (24) to a building structure (20). The partition plate (24) comprises at least one rock layer (38) forming the outer face (30) of the partition plate (24) and/or extending over the inner glazed layer (32).