With the rising trend towards building skyscrapers in the region, there is a growing need to develop systems that protect these high-rises not only against the climatic elements such as the sun, wind and rain but also provide safety and security, says facade systems specialist Reynaers Aluminium.

To meet these requirements, Reynaers has been striving to develop facade solutions that are highly sophisticated and facilitate speed of execution. Among such solutions is the unitised Concept Wall (CW) 86-MF, an insulated and aesthetic curtain-wall system that complies with all requirements of both high-rise as well as expansive building projects.

Commenting on the need for such systems, Ali Khalaf, managing director of Reynaers Middle East, the regional office of the European aluminium systems provider, says: “The consistent growth of the buoyant commercial building sector is creating demand for innovative architectural aluminium systems. Also, there is increasing pressure on the facades sector across the Middle East to meet higher specifications and deliver higher performances.”

He says world-class events such as the Expo 2020 in Dubai, UAE and the World Athletic Championships 2019 and Fifa World Cup 2022 in Qatar have further fuelled this demand. Also, the economic conditions and more stringent legislation in the region have mandated the need to build more energy-efficient and sustainable buildings, he adds.

Khalaf states for these tall building projects, speed of execution on site is very important. “The CW 86-MF offers a special solution, where elements can be pre-assembled in the workshop. On the building site, the facade can be built up element by element according to the modular curtain-wall principle,” he says.

The CW 86-MF features thermally insulated profiles that provide structurally sealed glazing, while its special systems such as cascade drainage allow it to meet the highest demands in terms of water and air tightness. This makes CW 86-MF suitable for extreme conditions encountered in coastal areas and high altitudes, among others, he says.

Essence of Dilmunia ... Reynaers has supplied CW 50, CP130Pa-LS, and CS 59Pa.

In addition to seamlessly integrating different types of windows, doors and sun-screening systems, the CW 86 also offers motorised solutions for its opening elements, such as top-hung and parallel-opening windows, providing a total solution for a fully integrated facade system.

“The integration of other systems like sliding doors with the unitised system through the creation of custom profiles adds to Reynaers capabilities of ensuring the client’s vision is met without compromising on the system’s performance in any way,” says Khalaf.

Reynaers Middle East is currently involved in the design and supply of the CW 86-MF for exclusive high-rise projects where the system is being used to meet very high performance requirements including 1,000 Pa water-tightness, 600 Pa air-tightness and a U-value of 1.9 W/sq m K.

The company has executed some state-of-the-art projects in the region, which include the prestigious Essence of Dilmunia in Bahrain; Bays Edge Hotel and Marina Residence in the UAE; King Abdul Aziz University buildings in Saudi Arabia; Kempinski Hotel and Apartments in Oman; Awtad Tower in Kuwait; Beirut 700 Tower in Lebanon; and the Estisalat headquarters in Egypt.

Khalaf says the UAE and Saudi Arabia markets continue to be trendsetters for projects featuring unique facades and high-performance aluminium systems.

Reynaers is a leading Belgium-based specialist in the development and marketing of innovative and sustainable aluminium solutions for windows, doors, curtain-walling, sliding systems, sun-screening and conservatories. In addition to an extensive range of standard solutions, the company also develops solutions that are tailored to individual projects. Research, product development and testing are conducted at the Reynaers Institute, which is believed to be the sector’s largest private innovation and testing centre, located in Duffel (Belgium).

The company is the market leader in Belgium and has established a strong market position in the 40 countries where it has its own offices. In addition, the company, which has around 1,700 employees throughout the world, exports to more than 70 countries on five continents.

Reynaers Middle East’s headquarters was established in Bahrain in 2004 to provide hi-tech aluminium architectural solutions for the growing construction needs of the region.