Wide span glass roofs are popular e.g. for covering atrium situations.
Here, architects prefer flat sloped transparent roofs. With regard to geometry, free-form constructions are increasingly used.
Various construction details have to be considered, mullion and transom constructions are often used because regarded as simple – but the devil is in the detailing.
A combination with photovoltaic elements enables energy output and becomes more and more important in the current energy crisis.
Based on the experience of the author in the field of construction, structural analysis and in the course of preparation of expert opinion on damages, important key points are explained:
- Basic construction details
- Errors that are already made during the design phase
- Specifics for the use of photovoltaics
- points to be considered in structural analysis
- Codes in Germany, e.g. DIN 18008-6 Part 6: Additional requirements for walk-on glazing in case of maintenance procedures and for fall-through glazing
- Typical anomalies in the workmanship that can be found again and again
The above mentioned aspects are explained using (beside others) some iconic projects as a reference: The freeform-roof “Common Sky” of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum will cover the museum’s new indoor Town Square and is under construction, the roof of the Münchner Stadtmuseum in Munich and some smaller but not less exciting projects, e.g. a roof of an ecological education center with photovoltaics.
