Traditionally, tall buildings and their facades have usually been static structures of steel, concrete and glass, with the materials used and architectural forms dictated by the technical limitations of what was achievable and financially viable.
Alongside this approach to building design and construction, tall buildings have often relied heavily on large-scale heating, cooling and ventilation systems to maintain comfortable internal temperatures within sealed structures. This can become a particularly expensive solution in parts of the world which experience extremes of heat or cold, while increasing concern over the environmental impact of tall buildings has also called these conventional approaches into question.
In more recent years, however, there has been a growing trend towards buildings and facades designed to work in harmony with prevailing climate conditions to function more efficiently and intelligently. A range of innovations has emerged, including carefully considered building architecture which helps provide natural temperature control and maximise natural light.
Going even further, adaptive facades have been developed which are capable of adjusting according to the outdoor environment, either minimising negative effects or actively harnessing and benefiting from otherwise challenging climatic conditions.
With architectural features and adaptive facades playing an increasingly important role in the operation of tall buildings, effective, practical and reliable facade access solutions also become vitally important. In this context, building access systems are required not only to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the building but also to protect integrated features which are essential to the building’s continuing performance for owners, residents, tenants and visitors.
One example of an innovative facade design which utilises the form of the structure to achieve greater efficiency and minimise its environmental impact is Goldin Financial Global Centre in Hong Kong.
A key part of the building’s resource-efficient and environmentally conscious design is the unique form and texture of its curtain wall facades. On the south side of the building, the facade panels are sloped downwards towards the ground to provide greater shade from the heat of the sun, while the panels on the north side are angled towards the sky to maximise natural light entering the building and reduce the need for artificial lighting.
As part of a complete facade access solution, CoxGomyl delivered a range of Building Maintenance Units, monorails and work platforms capable of providing reliable access to the entire building envelope.
This included the challenging geometry of the angled curtain wall panels, which require regular cleaning as well as practical access for glass replacement to help maintain their intended functionality.
Across a broad variety of projects, from lower-complexity, uniform buildings to more innovative and unusual constructions, CoxGomyl has demonstrated its ability to utilise a range of BMUs and other access equipment to deliver practical, reliable and cost-effective building access solutions.
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