Project Overview: Construction of the Enclosure Structure at Digital Gateway Shopping Mall
Project shell structure The architectural facade at the Digital Gateway Mall in Bangkok is a large-scale tensile membrane architectural solution designed as a second skin for the building. It not only creates an iconic architectural appearance but also plays an important role in shading, thermal control and optimizing the building’s energy efficiency.
- Investor: Digital Gateway (now Center Point of Siam Square)
- Category: Architectural Facade System
- Structure: Multi-faceted Mesh Tension Membrane System
- Main materials: FlexiiMesh, steel structure
- Location: Siam Square, Bangkok, Thailand
Technical Requirements Analysis & Project Context
The project was implemented with the requirement of creating an architectural shell for the entire building, which must simultaneously meet strict criteria on aesthetics, functionality and energy efficiency:
- Create an Iconic Architecture Look: The facade is the most important brand identity element. The requirement is to have a unique, modern design that reflects the “digital” spirit of the shopping center.
- Heat Radiation Control: As a building with large glass facades in a tropical climate, minimizing the amount of heat absorbed from the sun is an important technical requirement to save operating costs for the air conditioning system.
- Optimizing Natural Light: The building envelope must be able to block direct sunlight and reduce glare, but still allow natural light to diffuse into the building to maintain a bright space.
- Ultra-lightweight construction: The new facade solution had to have a low self-weight so that it could be installed on the existing building structure without requiring complex reinforcement solutions.
Technical Solutions and Implementation Process
To meet the above requirements, a comprehensive solution using a mesh-like tensile membrane facade system was selected and implemented.
Second Skin Design
The technical solution is a second skin façade system, installed over the existing glass walls of the building. The skin is made up of multiple polygonal membrane panels, stretched over a secondary steel frame. This design creates an air space between the membrane and the building surface, providing very effective insulation, while also creating a deep and complex architectural form.
Technical Material: Mesh Stretch Film
The material chosen is a mesh-like membrane. The mesh structure of this material has outstanding technical advantages for facade applications: it allows air to circulate, avoiding the accumulation of wind pressure; at the same time, it acts as a light filter, blocking direct sunlight and reducing glare while still allowing people inside to see out. This is a facade solution optimal
Load-bearing Structure System
The steel frame system for the membrane panels is designed to be directly attached to the main structural points of the building. Due to the light weight of the entire membrane facade system, the requirements for reinforcing the existing structure are minimized, helping to optimize construction costs and progress.
Results and Performance Evaluation
Project shell structure at Digital Gateway has brought about a comprehensive change, improving both the aesthetics and operational performance of the building:
- In terms of aesthetics and branding: Create a unique, high-tech architectural look that becomes an icon in the Siam Square area and strongly reinforces the “Digital Gateway” brand image.
- On energy efficiency: The second layer has proven highly effective in reducing heat radiation, keeping the interior space cooler and significantly reducing electricity costs for air conditioning systems.
- About user convenience: Reduces glare, providing a better quality of light for working and shopping environments.
- On structural efficiency: The ultra-lightweight solution has been successfully implemented on existing structures quickly and economically.
Contact Technical Consulting
Flexiiform specializes in providing architectural design and construction solutions for tensile membranes for building facades, canopies and structures with complex technical requirements. For detailed advice on your project, please contact our engineering team directly.
Contact information:
Company: Flexiiform
Website: https://flexiiform.vn
Hotline/Email: [Your contact information]
