STUDY VISS³ FREE-FORM FACADE

Striking facades and customised solutions with high-quality designs have always been a hallmark of Jansen's products. Now, even more new designs have become possible as 3D printing with steel takes the VISS facade into the third dimension: VISS³ creates connections by combining the tried-and-tested VISS systems with 3D printed steel nodes. This results in fascinating free-form facades that require no substructure at all. Research cooperation As part of a research cooperation with TU Delft in the Netherlands, the engineering company knippershelbig GmbH in Stuttgart, Germany, and MG Metalltechnik GmbH in Matrei, Austria, Jansen has investigated the options for using 3D printing technologies to manufacture steel nodes. This new technology offers architects previously unimaginable design freedom for steel system facades: 3D printed steel nodes combined with VISS profiles form the foundation for constructing concave and convex shapes. The nodes can be formed on a bespoke basis with multiple arms and different angles, allowing both acute and obtuse angles to be created within a single node. The VISS³ facade is self-supporting; load is transferred directly via the profiles and connecting nodes without the need for a substructure. In this way, Jansen VISS³ enables the construction of complex free-form facades and roof lights of any shape. Maximum transparency in the building shell By combining 3D printed steel nodes and slim VISS system profiles, Jansen VISS³ provides the perfect foundation for installing large panes of glass. 50 and 60 mm wide profiles with different profile depths can be used. Large glass elements and low-visibility frame profiles let in as much daylight as possible, helping to reduce energy costs. Furthermore, three-dimensional facades withstand higher wind loads than flat surfaces for the simple reason that the wind load is swirled against many smaller subsurfaces and pushed away. This results in unique building shells with maximum transparency.