Lumon presented at the ARCH Moscow NEXT! balcony-glassbox.
Glassbox is a new direction in the development of balconies, which was made possible by the emergence of a new design: post-free railing.
The fashion for balconies is changeable. Architects either favor them, using the balcony as a decoration for the facade, then refuse altogether, then completely ring the buildings with them.
Balcony façade in Europe in the early 2000s: a spacious balcony glazed with frameless glazing with traditional post railing.
The frameless glazing was liked by both residents and architects. The abundance of glass on the facades of residential buildings is typical of Finnish new buildings in the 2010s.
The next round of architectural evolution leads to the starting point: the balcony-glassbox, as a decoration of the facade.
The creation of this balcony began in 2014-2015. It started with research. Lumon employees turned to the professional market with the question of how they see the facades of the future, what requirements they set for the balconies of the future. Lumon is a regular participant in the largest international construction and architecture exhibitions. Using this, the researchers conducted a 2015 survey among architects and builders from Finland, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Spain, England, Holland, Canada.
And here is the result of the survey: the architects wanted to see more glass on the facades, less profile, fewer vertical lines. Balconies, in their opinion, should be graceful, geometrically proportional. A panoramic view is required. Outside, there should be no fasteners, ebbs, seams. The architects and the tightness of the structure were mentioned. On the one hand, it should not allow water, dust, smoke, sound to pass through, but at the same time it should not interfere with the penetration of sunlight and fresh air.
The builders would like the subcontractor to work safely. The urgent tasks were called the establishment of clear logistics, prompt installation without intermediate storage of structures. Builders want as little work outside the balcony as possible, working with one supplier to ensure a fast delivery process. The period from measurements to the delivery of the object is important.
Economic factors play a large role in construction: low design costs, minimized annual maintenance costs and standardized product solutions are needed for all levels of project approval.
The information obtained in the course of the research went to the Lumon Research Center, to the engineers who develop and propose new products.
And by the beginning of 2016, the concern offered a new post-free fencing. This railing, combined with frameless glazing, allows Lumon, the only one on the market, to offer a new type of balcony - glassbox.
The rackless fencing is completed with ready-made brackets. The fastening screws are hidden and not visible. Tightness is ensured by the lower belt, which is attached over the plate. The gap between the wall and the cladding is closed with a wall band.
Both glass and building boards are suitable for cladding. Glass can be of any degree of transparency, colors, transitions. Frameless glazing systems and a glass roof complement the balcony design.
For designers, they were provided and posted in the public domain on the site.
• an up-to-date and free library that is updated automatically
• sections of facades of all products in dwg and pdf format
• Revit library
• GDL object
• technical materials about products
• design guides
• tests and tests
• certifications such as CE and DoP
The structure is assembled from ready-made parts on the balcony. Therefore, no lifting equipment is needed. It is possible to lift structures to the floors with a winch from the outside.
For the convenience of the builders, a new picking scheme and a new logistics system have been proposed. The structures are assembled at the factory and can be lifted ready-made to the balcony. Therefore, the need for intermediate storage is reduced. The constant supply is designed so that there is no downtime, and the working time at the facility is minimal.
The cost of products is constantly decreasing due to increased production volumes and cost optimization. Over the past 20 years, Lumon has shown growth in sales worldwide. The demand for products leads to a decrease in cost due to an increase in production. Strict adherence to technology, automation of production processes guarantees consistently high product quality and a significant warranty period of 5 years.
