Front Cover Story CRL Langle
AI-Wall system: a transparent glass skin as all-weather protection
Showcasing natural wood in its most beautiful and durable form while providing all-weather protection, the patented CRL Langle AI-Wall system plays an important part of the construction of a timber house set in the heart of Germany’s Black Forest.
As much a part of the scenery as the trees and mountains it is set against, the four-level building in the German city of Freiburg is an extraordinary construction consisting of glass and wood sourced from regionally grown trees. While the landscape is undoubtedly beautiful, the weather can be harsh with relentless wet seasons giving way to strong sunlight during the dryer months. A double faced, highly weather-proof glass frontage formed with the CRL Langle AI-Wall system ensures the building is protected all year round and for many years to come.
The system is back ventilated and covers the wood while enabling the energy efficient and ecologically sound building to remain completely visible, permanently guarding against greying and atmospheric conditions. Overlapping glass tiles are used on the main weather side to provide extra protection, while a UV-cover foil prevents the wood frontage from failing due to the strong sunlight.
Ease of installation was a huge advantage for the building’s architects Werkgruppe Lahr, who studied the character and particular language of traditional Black Forest houses carefully before finalising the design. The system is simple to install with a clever clip design fixing the individual glass panels. It doesn’t require any glass cut-outs, yet ensures a safe ventilation of the building and guards against the elements, with a premium coated weather proof aluminium.
“We just couldn’t imagine covering such an attractive wood house with plaster. The wish for a transparent weather cover generated the idea for the glass skin,” a spokesman from the architectural practice commented.
“Due to the horizontal and vertical overlap and proper ventilation of the facade it is a highly effective protection against wet weather conditions, including the driving rain.”
The CRL Langle AI-Wall system made the use of wood internally and externally not only possible, but simple. “We didn’t need any glass bores for the fixation system and the scale halters were easily fixed,” explains the project’s master carpenter and operations manager.
“Due to the soft angles and the shape of the construction body of the glass skin a crystalline effect evolves. The glass skin reflects light and shimmers depending on the angle of light which is a delightful change from the usual effect of facades that creates a new and exciting characteristic.”
CRL
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