by Rebecca Walker — November 17, 2010—At the 2010 Greenbuild Expo, A. Zahner Company (Zahner) and Adaptive Building Initiative (ABI) have partnered to unveil Tessellate, the latest adaptive faade system of ABI’s Intelligent Surfaces platform.
Intelligent Surfaces are kinetic façade systems that physically adapt to changes in daylight, solar gain, airflow, and privacy by altering their configuration. The latest product, Tessellate, is a self-contained, framed screen whose perforated pattern can continually shift and evolve; creating a dynamic architectural element. It is designed for glass and glazing systems, walls, and dividers as a versatile, multi-purpose façade.
Tessellate consists of stacked panels that can be constructed using various materials. Overlapping layers result in a kaleidoscopic visual display of patterns that align and then diverge into a fine, light-diffusing mesh. Geometry can range from regular grids to free-form patterns and panels can be constructed in any shape. Tessellate can be customized to fit any architectural visionthe options are virtually endless.
ABI, a joint venture of Hoberman Associates and Buro Happold, is a worldwide industry leader in the design, engineering, and integration of complex architectural structures and systems. Partnering with Zahner has solidified ABI’s full-service delivery of complete solutions for the building envelope.
Tessellate is controlled using location-based sensory data to respond to light and weather conditions and fully integrates into the building management system. For instance, when high levels of direct light are detected, the metal panels diverge, and their patterns completely overlap, blocking the sun’s rays. The sensors are programmed in a variety of ways to maximize energy efficiency and savings.
For more information, see the Web site.
