Curtain Wall AA 100 Q Twist

AA 100 Q Twist - aluminium facade system for freely arched facades

The AA 100 Q Twist is the first curtain wall in the world that can be bent into virtually all sizes. This freely bent facade can be designed with a pivoted window by means of a multi-point lock closure. This product development is the result of cooperation between architect Dr. Karel Vollers, Van Campen Aluminium and Kawneer.

The technique

The AA 100 Q Twist is based on the facade system AA 100 Q developed by Kawneer for constructing straight, slanted and segmented facades. Characteristic to the AA 100 Q Twist is the split into a stiff rear profile that connects parallelly to the system of floors and walls, and a glazing profile that bends with the bulging glass surface and always lies flat against the window pane. This allows the vertical and horizontal surfaces of the AA 100 Q Twist to flow into each other. The invention of the AA 100 Q Twist signifies a breakthrough in this area. A curved glass facade with an incorporated pivoting window, opens even more application possibilities for this new form of free architecture.

Problems with standard systems:

• varying connection to the building 
• twisting of large profiles with complex cross cuts is very expensive 
• this is especially true when all the ones with varying radii are bent with a different 3D

Solution:

• the back profile has a simple cross cut and only needs to be bent 2D 
• the glass profile can be bent manually because of the large radius of the facades 
• connection to wall, column, floor can be standardized to, e.g., right angles or parallel 
• simple measuring and positioning 
• the windows consist of standard components