LA TORRE AGBAR

BY
HAMEEDA SHEIK
21091AA014
SEM 6 SEC A
 D I N G
T H E B UI L
A B O U T
Torre Agbar is a thirty-one-storey,
bullet-shaped tower which emplays, a
reinforced-concerte bearing-wall
structure pierced with 4,500 individual
windows openings.
Type Office: conference
Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Coordinates:41°24′12″N 02°11′22″E
Construction started:1999
Completed:2004
Cost: €130,000,000
Architect: Jean Nouvel
Height:
Roof : 144.44 m (473.88 ft)
Top floor: 128.3 m (421 ft)
Floor count: 33
Floor area: 51,483 m2 (554,158 sq ft)
Lifts/elevators: 9
 S Y S T E M
N WA LL
CU RT AI
O F
TYPE • La Torre Agbar in Barcelona, Spain,
a double-skin curtain wall system.
uses

• This type of curtain wall consists of an

outer layer of glass and an inner layer,
creating a ventilated cavity between the
two.

• Custom system of clear and translucent glass

louvers suspended on extruded aluminium
framing members in front of load bearing
reinforced concrete well with punched
windows
• The bearing wall is encased in a
continuous external skin of clear and
translucent laminated safely glass louvers set
at various angles.

• These louvers ore mounted on vertical

rails of anodized extruded aluminium that
are suspended from the concrete wall in
aluminium brockets at each floor level.
 U C T IO N
CON ST R The construction used 25,000 m3 of concrete
and 125 tonnes of steel

Translucent glass
panels
being fixed to the
openings in the
concrete wall

Translucent glass
panels
being fixed to the
openings
in the concrete wall
 COMPONENTS OF CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM

WALL SECTION TECHNICAL DETAILS

i. Wall section key

ii. Laminated glass louver
iii. Anodized extruded. aluminum rail
iv. Aluminum window with low-E coated
Insulating glass
v. Painted corrugated aluminum shoot
vi. Mineral wool insulation over reinforced.
concrete wall
vii. Galvanized-steel maintenance catwalk
viii. Raised floor
ix. Concrete slab on metal deck and steel beam
x. Suspended ceiling
 CURTAIN WALL GLAZING
Glass fenestrations Outer shell
The building features a glass The solar-powered, mechanically controlled
dome at the top, glass outer shell was designed to help manage
multi-colored walls and 4,500 heat buildup and other environmental factors.
different-sized The inner wall is wrapped in ROCKWOOL
windows, to the LED illuminated insulation.
“breathing”
glass shell.
 ER IA L S
MA T
Stone wool
ROCKWOOL insulation made from natural, recyclable stone
wool protects the building's concrete walls from fire,
moisture, noise, extreme temperatures, and aging.
Aluminum and glass
The building's facade is made of 60,000 colored aluminum
strips and glass panels with varying degrees of
transparency.
The glass's opacities and inclinations create different
colors and tones, and the aluminum sheets are painted in “Stone wool insulation
a gradation of colors from the base to the top. improves the comfort and
The colors were chosen by a team of artists and create a habitability of the
different composition depending on the viewer's position. building more reliably and
with better sustainability
Double glazing than alternatives, reducing
A double glazing system regulates airflow and helps keep its environmental impact
the building cool in hot weather. over time.”
LED technology
The building's external lighting uses LED technology to -ARCHITECT
create images on the facade, which can display 16 million
colors.
DOWSIL™ 993 Structural Glazing
This two-part silicone sealant bonds glass and metal to
other construction materials
 MEW ORK
FRA
The framework of the Torre Agbar's curtain wall system is a
sophisticated arrangement designed to support the unique double-
skin facade. The main components of the framework include:
Concrete Core:
The building's primary structural support comes from its central
concrete core, which houses the elevators and stairs.
Steel Structure:
Surrounding the concrete core is a steel framework that provides
additional structural support and shapes the building’s elliptical
form.
Double-Skin Facade:
The outer skin consists of aluminum rails, glass louvers, and
supporting brackets, while the inner skin is made of a smooth
aluminum-covered concrete structure.

SECTION
PLAN
 E TA IL S
TIO N D
TA LL A
INS
Vertical Rails:
Anodized extruded aluminum vertical rails are
mounted on the concrete structure. These rails are
the primary support for the glass louvers.
Aluminum Brackets:
Aluminum brackets are attached to the concrete wall
at each floor level. These brackets hold the
vertical rails and distribute the weight of the
louvers evenly.
Glass Louvers:
The colored glass louvers are mounted onto the
vertical rails. The louvers are placed at specific
angles and distances from the building to optimize
natural light and provide aesthetic variation.
Inner Skin:
The inner skin consists of aluminum panels attached
directly to the building's concrete structure,
providing an additional layer of insulation and
aesthetic appeal.

the background of the LED installation is

colored, from red to blue and transparent.
 DE TA ILS
JOINE RY
Bracket to Rail Connection:
The aluminum brackets are connected to the vertical rails using high-strength
fasteners. The connection allows for slight movement to accommodate thermal
expansion.
Louver to Rail Connection:
The glass louvers are attached to the vertical rails using specially designed
clips that hold the glass securely while allowing for easy installation and
replacement.
Rail to Concrete Connection:
The aluminum brackets are bolted directly into the concrete structure, ensuring
a strong and stable connection.
 SYST E M
RTA IN WALL
SK I N CU
DOUB L E A double-skin curtain wall system is an advanced
building facade technology that consists of two
layers of wall separated by a ventilated cavity.
This system provides improved thermal and
acoustic insulation, better energy efficiency,
and enhanced building aesthetics
Components of Double-Skin Curtain Wall
System
Outer Skin:
Typically made of glass or other transparent
materials.Provides weather protection and
aesthetic appeal
Inner Skin:
Usually consists of insulated glass units or
other opaque materials.Serves as the primary
thermal and sound barrier.
Ventilated Cavity: The double-skin curtain wall system
The space between the outer and inner offers numerous benefits, making it a
skins.Allows for natural ventilation, popular choice for modern architectural
improving thermal performance and reducing designs:
cooling loads. • Improved Thermal Performance
• Enhanced Acoustic Insulation
• Natural Ventilation
• Increased Comfort
• Aesthetic Appeal
• Ease of Maintenance
• Energy Savings
• Sustainable
Perhaps one of the most famous
examples of double-skin facades is
Foster+Partners' 30 St Mary Ax
Building, "The Gherkin."
Example of the Gherkin’s Double-Skin Curtain Wall System
Thermal Performance:
1.Example: The Gherkin’s double-skin facade includes two layers of glass with
a ventilated cavity in between, reducing heat transfer and improving energy
efficiency by maintaining a stable internal temperature.
2. Natural Ventilation:
Example: The building features spiraling light wells and atria that facilitate
natural ventilation, allowing warm air to escape and reducing the need for
mechanical cooling systems.
3. Aesthetic Appeal:
Example: The double-skin facade, combined with the curved shape and diagonal
steel framework, gives The Gherkin its distinctive and sleek appearance, making it
a prominent architectural landmark in London.
4. Sustainability:
Example: The facade’s design reduces energy consumption by enhancing thermal
insulation and enabling natural ventilation, contributing to the building’s
sustainability and lowering its carbon footprint.
5. Acoustic Insulation:
Example: The double-skin system provides excellent acoustic insulation by
dampening external noise, creating a quieter indoor environment despite the
building’s central location in London