Archi.ru:
We talked in detail about your Gagarin airport in Saratov - one of two airports built in Russia over the past 30 years from scratch. Now we propose to talk about its implementation in more detail, in particular, about the technologies that made it possible to implement such an impressive solution to the main facade. Although it's still worth starting with an idea. Let's remember what images were taken as a basis when developing the concept of the airport. After all, the name "Gagarin" did not appear immediately
Andrey Asadov:
We had a whole history of building a figurative row, and the name of Gagarin really did not appear immediately.
So, we were looking for a technique for the main facade that would create the effect of a sucking space, a kind of funnel that guides visitors to the core of the facade lens, where the entrance is located. At the beginning, we had two associations. The first is connected with water, the Volga, a river wave, the bend of the Saratov bridge. The second - with the Saratov accordion, which added authenticity to the project, since the idea of river water itself is very neutral.
As a result, the image of the river is supported by a series of roof lanterns, which are shallow narrow slices - outwardly they resemble fish. We call them airships - after all, fish swim in water and airships swim in mid-air. In addition, there are three big fish on the coat of arms of Saratov, so the association is also contextual. By the way, recently another such lamp was mounted above the entrance - it was originally conceived, but appeared only now. The entrance vestibule made of glass, absolutely neutral, was designed as a stand for it.
According to our initial idea, the theme of the river was also supported by a reservoir in the square in front of the airport, then at some point it was reduced, and we are very glad that the Nowadays bureau, which was engaged in landscaping, returned it. Glare from the glass is reflected in the glare of the water, they resonate with each other, which helps to read our main idea. The pond gives a completely different effect from the entrance space.
When the Saratov airport was named "Gagarin", a whole spectrum of aerospace associations was added to our initial associations. We have likened the glass elements of the facade to the prominences from the takeoff of a rocket - the fan spreads out like a sound or acoustic wave. The project also has a symbolic epicenter - a small ball that lies on the square in front of the airport.
By the way, "Gagarin" is the first of the "collection" of airports, in the work on the projects of which the bureau ASADOV participated. Now we have 17 airport projects of different sizes in our portfolio. Moreover, the Saratovsky, with an area of 23,000 m2, not the biggest.
The general designer was the Spectrum company, and for all additional projects - four VIP-zones, landscaping - the customer held contests in which very good teams won, so that the whole project as a whole turned out to be successful. It was a pleasure to work in such a company.
To what extent do you think a glass facade is a good solution for an airport?
A glazed facade is an effective and efficient option for a public building, including a transport one. Bright, spacious interior spaces are part of a healthy architecture. In addition, the abundance of light allows you to save on electricity during the daytime, and people also relate to natural lighting better than to artificial.
At the same time, for many customers, the thermal insulation characteristics and the cost of the glass façade structure become a stumbling block. Therefore, it is important from the very beginning to choose the correct stained glass system, so that later you do not go broke on the operation of the facility.
Of course, a good energy efficient glass facade costs a lot, but, on the other hand, there is an opportunity to benefit from a high installation speed. For example, one of our customers at some point realized that making an all-glass box is more efficient than ventilated facades. Yes, perhaps a little more expensive, but if we consider a turnkey investment project, then a glass box is more profitable.
In other words, a stained glass window can be energy efficient, it is only important to choose the right design?
Yes of course. Many people think that glass facades are known to have high heat losses, but this is not the case. For example, for the structural glazing of the Gagarin airport, an aluminum facade system from the ALUTECH company was used.
Commentary of the ALUTECH company
Structural glazing based on ALUTECH aluminum profiles has been implemented at the facility
ALT F50 SG. A distinctive feature of this series is the ability to implement a full glass facade without aluminum profiles on the outside.
It provides a number of technological solutions that protect structures from freezing, help to keep warm in the premises - a special foamed PE thermal bridge in the seam area of a double-glazed window, high-quality EPDM seals, a weather-resistant joint sealant with which all joints are glued.
Tell us about the features of the implementation of the facade of the Gagarin airport in more detail
I note right away that we focused on the main facade. After all, the side facades at airports are made as simple as possible, since the building often expands over time to the right and left, attaches luggage space and space at check-in counters.
While working on the concept of the main facade, we considered several options. In the competition project there was a structure on cable-stayed braces: a very graceful curved saddle plane. But too expensive. There was an idea for a facade with a triangular grid: by analogy with the "glass crust" of a concert hall in Zaryadye Park. But we didn't really like her from an aesthetic point of view.
And at some point we got the idea to make a facade of equal stripes. In the center, they are vertical, and towards the edges, each one begins to tilt slightly forward - and a very unusual visual effect is obtained. Due to the inclination, which reaches 15 °, the facade resembles a fan or an accordion. It is noteworthy that the end of these strips is opaque, although it is glass, made of stemalite. As a result, it was this idea that seemed constructive, honest and aesthetically interesting to us. We found a balance.
Today I am completely satisfied with this design from the point of view of the quality of execution, this is an object to which it is not a shame to invite colleagues, come close, show in detail.
Detailed project documentation was made by the facade company in cooperation with the manufacturer of profile systems. For our part, we prepared a task for the facade structure, worked out all the 3D geometry and sent it to them, and they worked out all the joints themselves. Then together we looked at the mockups, made one module with a double-glazed window, hung it on the facade and selected shades on it so that the opaque wall would merge as much as possible with the transparent one. And it seems to me that we succeeded.
Commentary of the ALUTECH company
To interact with designers, the ALUTECH company assigns a specialist who becomes his personal consultant. Receiving an assignment from the architect, the consultant, together with the company's engineer, develops and proposes not just a sketch, but specific solutions that can be implemented using brand systems.
How is the supporting frame of the facade arranged?
The supporting frame consists of main supports with a pitch of 9 meters, horizontal beams and edges of the stained-glass window, which are attached to the beams.
There are no visible seams or clamping strips on the outside of the facade. All elements of the "accordion" are docked very cleanly. Stiffness links are placed in two corners. We painted them white and they are almost invisible.
I must say that the absence of overhead covers, visible profile seams is really important. According to them, you can determine what time the object is: the seventies, nineties or two thousandths. Modern standards - smooth glazing without overhead covers, as well as the ability to mount large format glass.
Why did you choose aluminum profiles for this object?
Considering that for me, as an architect, the most important thing is the appearance of the object, aluminum, which makes it possible to implement almost any ideas - seamless facade solutions, structural and spider glazing, is the best choice.
In addition, aluminum is an intermediate option between steel, which is stronger, but heavy and expensive, and plastic. It is lighter and more affordable. Steel structures, as far as I know, are used in special cases, for some complex bends, heavy loads, or due to increased fire requirements.
The last question is your advice to a young, inexperienced author who wants to use a spectacular stained glass window in his project. Where are the pitfalls, what to look for?
The golden rule is to immediately assess the realism of your idea at the conceptual stage. For example, we came up with a beautiful geometry for the Gagarin airport, and then we still had to puzzle over which design would be optimal for our idea.
The second advice is to immediately think about the dimensions of the glass for the stained-glass window. The standard size is 2 x 3 m, you must try to adhere to it or a multiple of it, work with the module in proportion to the format, do not exceed 3 m on one side and 2 m on the other. And if you exceed it, immediately take into account that these will be more expensive glasses, and use them in the most spectacular places, for example, at the entrance level.
Although for the same ALUTECH profiles the size of 2 x 3 m is not the limit. The systems of the company provide various solutions for facades with heavy infills: profiles can withstand double-glazed windows weighing up to 1,100 kg and dimensions of 6 x 4 m.
The third recommendation is to choose the formula for the glass unit, taking into account the cardinal point. At the Saratov airport, we have different glasses on different sides of the building. On the south side, facing the runway, there are sun protection, and on the north, from the side of the main entrance, with a lower degree of protection, but with a greater transparency. By the way, this became possible due to the fact that in the profile systems selected for the object, it is permissible to use any fillings: transparent, opaque, with a transition from transparent to opaque and even fire-resistant.
And finally, my fourth advice: always think about the ratio of price and quality, that is, look for a middle ground between your architectural statement and the cost of structures already at the initial stage, so that they do not subsequently come into conflict. Fortunately, there were no such discrepancies in the case of the Gagarin airport.
