Gulf Construction Online - Technal extends cool shade with Sunéal

Glass & Metal

Technal’s Sunéal aluminium brise-soleil system ... ideal solar protection solution.

Technal extends cool shade with Sunéal

01 October 2012

IN LINE with regional moves over recent years to construct sustainable and efficient buildings, Technal Middle East (TME) reports increasing demand for its Technal Sunéal aluminium brise-soleil system as an ideal solution that provides solar protection, particularly in glass-clad high-rise buildings while enhancing their aesthetics and optimising on day-lighting.

Sunéal brise-soleil or sunshades – launched by its parent company Technal in 2010 – combines the various solar protection applications that were hitherto offered by the France-based company into one effective solution that addresses the multiple needs of building envelopes and particularly of glazed façades.

“Whether to provide sun protection or control solar heat gain or optimise on day-lighting, our Sunéal system provides an ideal solution particularly in glass-clad high-rise buildings,” says Hesham Kameshki, marketing and business development manager of Bahrain-based TME, the regional office of the international architectural aluminium systems provider.

“The system gives designers and occupants all the comfort they could possibly want in both winter and summer. The natural light is diffused with neither heat nor solar radiation, and the concept adds aesthetic value, by transforming the façades to their best advantage.”

The Sunéal brise-soleil, which combines attractive design with efficiency, can be integrated with the Technal’s Géode curtain-walling and roof-lights or used on an independent structure or framework.

It allows designers the flexibility to customise the design and optimise comfort with a wide choice of solutions.

The range is rich and varied, and offers a multitude of different-shaped blades – from 100 mm to 600 mm; of “aerofoil” or ogive-shape or rectangular, horizontal or vertical, fixed or movable; and can be motorised. TME also offers bespoke solutions and customised sizes for special projects.

When integrated with the Géode curtain-wall, Sunéal envelopes the entire range from the simple grid facade to structural sealant glazing or beaded glazing solutions. Its fixed 215 mm blades can be equipped with photovoltaic cells, all of which are adaptable to the curtain-wall. A complete selection of accessories allows installation on a canopy, offset vertical structure or roof-light.

Sunéal can also be installed on a totally independent structure with a wide choice of brise-soleil blades available including single-piece (100 to 300 mm) or multi-part (350 to 600 mm) for installation between load-bearing structures, and semi-elliptical blades (175 to 300 mm). Also offered are special blades including rectangular (300 by 40 mm), large perforated blades (580 mm) and louvres (100 and 115 mm).

In façade cladding applications, the louvre blades integrate fully within a standard cladding structure such as the concrete slab or vertical steel structures.

Sunéal can provide enhanced efficiency when photovoltaic cells are integrated on its aluminium blades. “The Sunéal photovoltaic blades provide privacy as well as electricity power generation with 15 per cent efficiency. Blades come in angles of 15, 30, 45 and 60 degrees depending on the orientation of the façade and the geographical zone of the building to ensure maximum efficiency,” says Kameshki. “The photovoltaic modules integrated in the Sunéal blade are made to the highest market standards and meet the IEC 61730 (safety) and IEC 61215 (performance) standards.”

Sunéal also offers rotating mobile blades (motorised or manual) for optimum comfort. Here, the choice and orientation of a brise-soleil is determined by the sun’s path and position at all times.

“With this option, one can enjoy the benefits of solar gains in winter and solar protection in summer, and finely control the natural lighting of interior rooms,” he says.

Sunéal special blades (below) in a building application.

As with all Technal systems, only the highest quality materials and components are used for low maintenance and long-term performance, says Kameshki. The aluminium profiles are extruded from high-grade alloys such as 6060 T5-T6. The accessories are cast from Zamak 5 alloy, while the screws are made of high-grade stainless steel.

The product has been tested according to the wind-tunnel test protocol at CSTB (Construction Scientific and Technical Centre) of France. “This actual rig test is used to define graphs for dimensioning the brise-soleil according to the location, wind pressure and snow load, on fixed or mobile models,” Kameshki says.

Here, the airflow was progressively increased to 160 km/h and the speed maintained for 10 minutes, after which was quickly raised to 210 km/h, he explains.

A wide range of finishes is available to satisfy the requirements of individual projects, for use on existing buildings and to give architects and designers additional design flexibility for new buildings. These include natural anodised finishes; PVDF coatings; polyester powder coatings in an extensive range of colours and finishes; and some exclusive Technal colours for a stylish and contemporary appearance.

TME has already supplied the solution for a number of prominent projects in the region including recent landmarks such as Princess Nora University in Saudi Arabia, a multipurpose administration complex for Qatar Petroleum in Qatar and Al Ahli United Bank headquarters in Oman, using vertical and horizontal blades ranging from 250 to 600 mm.

TME as the regional services provider for Technal has been serving the markets for more than 32 years. The Technal brand that has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary is a product of Hydro Building Systems, the world’s leading group in the building systems sector, dedicated to the creation of innovative and sustainable aluminium window, doors and façade systems that inspire contemporary architecture.

Technal offers a wide range of technically-advanced proprietary and bespoke products developed to meet specifiers’ requirements for increased thermal performance, design flexibility and visual appeal. These include innovative solutions for all types of architectural aluminium façades, skylights, sunshades, windows, doors, office partitions, balustrades and blast- and bullet-proof applications in the region.

The company also offers a wide range of solutions for all architectural aluminium applications – a range that is constantly being expanded to meet local needs, create custom-designed systems and unique projects.

“Technal architectural aluminium systems are renowned for their quality, innovative French design, durability and technical performance. All over the world, Technal’s aluminium systems give architectural projects intelligence and performance, right from the design stage and are increasingly specified and utilised in landmarks across the Middle East,” concludes Kameshki.

Technal Middle East will be promoting its diverse range of new category products at The Big 5 show in Dubai next month (November 5 to 8), providing its clients with the opportunity to meet the company’s representatives face to face and witness its latest innovations in windows, doors and unitised façade products in a smart tangible display on one of the biggest stands in the show located at Zabeel Hall (Stand F121).