News & Insights
What is a Timber Curtain Wall?
Aluminum may be the default choice for curtain wall framing, but it isn’t the only option. A timber curtain wall uses glass and infill panels carried on an engineered timber frame rather than extruded aluminum mullions. For architects considering lower-carbon materials without giving up facade performance, timber offers a genuine alternative. This guide looks at…
Space Frame Structures: How They Work, Types, and Where They’re Used
A space frame structure is a rigid, three-dimensional lattice of linear members connected at nodes to span large areas with few or no interior supports. Also called a space truss or space structure, this approach creates a lightweight, efficient structural system for long-span architecture. For architects and design teams, space frame structures can open possibilities…
What Are Glazing Systems? Types, Terminology, and How to Choose the Right Solution
Glass is one of the defining features of modern architecture, but the systems that support it are often misunderstood. Even though they describe different aspects of a building’s envelope, terms such as structural glass, structural glazing, and curtain wall are frequently used interchangeably, which can be confusing if you’re just beginning to explore these systems….
Glass Façades for Large-Span Architecture
Modern public buildings such as airports, stadiums, transit centers, and civic atriums are often defined by openness, natural light, and strong visual connections to their surroundings. Glass façades play a central role in creating these experiences, but designing them for large-span architecture requires more than an appealing appearance. A successful façade must combine transparency with…
How ETFE Is Used in Modern Architecture: Case Studies from Novum
Understanding ETFE material is best approached through built work. When you ask “what is ETFE material,” responses often focus on its properties—lightweight, high-transparency, and durability. However, its value becomes clearer when evaluated in completed projects. The following case studies from real Novum projects show how the range of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) systems are applied across…
5 Critical Structural Details for ETFE Roof Systems
ETFE roof systems enable large, light-filled spans that are difficult—or cost-prohibitive—with glass. But ETFE is not a static material. It is a pneumatic cushion system that actively interacts with the supporting structure. For architects, the risk isn’t the material itself—it’s missing key structural interfaces early, which can lead to redesign, added steel, or compromised design…
7 Factors for Choosing the Right Structural Glazing System for Your Building Envelope
Every ambitious facade system design eventually splits two ways: do you want a standard grid, or a seamless glass building envelope? Choosing the right structural glazing is an engineering pivot that dictates your project’s dead load, thermal performance, and long-term liability. No pressure. 1. Know the Difference Between Structural Glazing and a Curtain Wall If…
What Is ETFE? How This Advanced Polymer Is Changing Modern Architecture
Every ambitious, large-scale design eventually hits a weight wall. You start with a vision for a captivating, light-filled clear span, but the moment you specify glass, the physics of dead load take over. Suddenly, your elegant steel supports are becoming massive and expensive. Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) prevents structural weight from compromising your design. Originally an…
The Role of Spaceframes in Landmark Buildings
How do you design that massive, open, column-free space without ending up with a roof structure that weighs a ton and blocks the view? Spaceframes are the definitive answer that allows you to disrupt physics (and design truly iconic structures). Iconic Structures Deserve Spaceframes Traditional building methods force structures to be heavy and rigid. Spaceframes…
Glass Roof Structures: Types, Advantages, and Engineering Challenges
Overhead glazing—whether designing a public atrium or a signature corporate campus—your priority is achieving that stunning, visionary effect. A complex design only succeeds when the architect’s creative vision and the engineer’s structural requirements speak the same language. Understanding the specialized difference between a simple unit (skylight) and what could be a signature architectural solution (glass…