International architectural symposium “Aluminum and Glass” gathered more than 150 of the leading Bulgarian architects

The concept Adaptive façade was the subject of the sixth International Architectural Symposium “Aluminum and Glass”, an annual event organized by ETEM Building Systems, AGC Flat Glass and Dorma Bulgaria.

On Octоber, 08.2010, ETEM Building Systems, AGC Flat Glass and Dorma Bulgaria, welcomed leading architects and engineers from Bulgaria and abroad to the International Architectural Symposium “Aluminum and Glass” for sixths consecutive time. Over 150 guests attended the event. This year the subject of the symposium was “Adaptive façade concept”.

The event was held in the period 08-10 of October in hotel RIU PRAVETS RESORT GOLF & SPA, city of Pravets, Bulgaria. The official part of the seminar was opened by a guest speaker – arch. Vesela McGee, a graduate of SavannahCollege of Art and Design (Master of Arcitecture) in Georgia. As a representative of the Bulgarian Green Building Council, arch. McGee introduced to the audience established global concepts for sustainable development in the construction business and how they can be applied in Bulgaria.

ETEM Building Systems was presented by eng. Veneta Novakova – manager of R&D department. She presented a concept for an adaptive façade which differs from the conventional one with its ability to change its characteristics. A façade that can adapt its functions to the changing environment and plays the role of moderator between the climate conditions and the building, in order to provide comfort to its inhabitants. The façade of future, or the so called adaptive façade is a flexible and a complex system that will perform in future lots of new functions. Among the advantages of this façade is that it is able to provide enough permeability of a day light and meanwhile to insure effective sun protection and ventilation. ETEM makes this possible thanks to a specialized software for sun protection developed by the company. All systems of ETEM fit and can be used in regard to the design process and implementation of the adaptive façade.

Special attention was paid to the façade engineering. This new specialty requires vast knowledge in many areas. A new trend is the building of interdisciplinary teams that include specialists in different divisions – architects, engineers, designers and others. These people are responsible for the creation of the project, starting from the concept, through the preliminary design, detailed design, tests, audits, until the building is fully finished.

This year Mr. Ivan Zaykov – Market manager of AGC Flat Glass, familiarized the auditory with the high-technological products, offered by his company. Furthermore, he paid attention to the topical at the moment subject – the highly selective glasses.

The official part of the symposium finished with the presentation of arch. Tomas Miller – product manager of GLASS division, DORMA. Arch. Miller presented system solutions developed by Dorma in the filed of glass door fittings and in particular to the glass façade systems.

After the end of the lectures, guests were welcomed to take part in various entertainments. The one that raised the greatest interest was a specially prepared golf tournament. For starters, sports enthusiasts were organized golf lesson. Admirers of the extreme emotions had the opportunity to take participation in a test drive with part of the BMW’s product range. Last, but not least, guest had the opportunity to benefit from the SPA procedures and the attractions offered by the Hotel Riu Pravets Resort Golf & Spa.

Next edition of the forum will be in 2011.