Facade projects

The hitherto most widely used fastening system for curtain-type, ventilated facades (VHF) with MAGNA Glaskeramik uses an undercut anchor specially developed by fischerwerke for the material.
Façade panels with this system are cut from the factory and drilled and anchored by MAGNA Glaskeramik. Thus, an invisible and large format (up to 3500 x 1500 mm, depending on the static calculation) attachment with minimal joints and connection to standard facade systems with horizontal profiles possible.
MAGNA Glaskeramik offers a comprehensive project service including support for static calculation and detailed solutions such as reveals or corner designs. The system MAGNA Glaskeramik with anchor FZP-GZ has an official approval according to European Technical Assessment ETA 16/0302.

A jade façade made from recycled champagne bottles: MVRDV completes Bulgari flagship store in Shanghai

Shanghai Plaza 66 – one of the largest and most popular shopping malls in Shanghai – is now the home of a new Bulgari flagship store at Shanghai’s Nanjing Road. The new store features a green, jade-like façade designed by MVRDV, made from brass and recycled champagne, beer, and other glass bottles. Inspired by a medley of influences, from the original Bulgari store in Rome to Shanghai’s unique Art Deco architecture, the project is innovative and sustainable, yet remains true to the heritage of both Bulgari and Shanghai.

Art Deco is a theme that wonderfully connects Shanghai with Bulgari. From the 1920s to 1940s, Shanghai housed one of the richest collections of Art Deco architecture in the world, from fashion to art. In the same years, Bulgari celebrated this era with its famous geometric diamond jewels.

The green panels are reminiscent of China's most precious jade stone and the gold-colored brass trim gives the facade a jewel-like appearance. The panels are made of the unique material MAGNA Glaskeramik®, which is characterized by a translucent finish. Only recycled green and translucent glass shards were used for the special color, which was developed at the customer's request in the MAGNA Glaskeramik® laboratory in Teutschenthal.

At night, background lighting behind the panels lets the facade shine conspicuously and underlines the unique structural quality of the glass. The project demonstrates the potential of sustainable recycled materials, also in luxury contexts, and takes a step towards the goal of MVRDV - the architects in charge - and Bulgari to build shop designs from 100% circular economy materials. At the same time, the background lighting is designed in such a way that the energy consumption of the facade is minimized and less than half the energy of a typical comparable installation is used.