ETFE Membrane Facade Double Skin Solar Collector

Architecture, Building and Structure Design ETFE Membrane Facade Double Skin Solar Collector by Petr Franta ETFE Membrane Facade is a double skin facade designed for a research and teaching building. The outer skin is formed by welded transparent cushions of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, three metres wide and up to sixty-two metres long, kept under constant air pressure and installed diagonally on a secondary steel structure with aluminium clamps. The facade cavity acts as a solar collector, and warm air is drawn into the ventilation units, reducing energy use by up to 30 percent. The membrane is cleaned by rainwater and adds acoustic protection from street traffic.