EXTECH/Exterior Technologies, Inc. announced three types of KINETICWALL® standard suspension systems for wind-driven façades—Drop-In, Pin-Mount, and Rod-Mount, plus custom options. Suitable for both small- and large-scale projects, EXTECH’s KINETICWALL suspension systems are paired with its flapper-panel designs, adding dynamic movement to building enclosures and wall systems. Applications include transit and parking facilities, cultural institutions, and artistic installations.
“Our KINETICWALL systems respond to wind currents, creating the look of rolling waves across the flapper-panel wall system,” described Jim Leslie, EXTECH’s general manager. “Based on our extensive research of kinetic wall suspension techniques, we are confident that the Drop-In, Pin-Mount, and Rod-Mount systems offer the greatest range of benefits in terms of longevity, performance, and value. Each configuration possesses different performance and aesthetic characteristics and baseline costs.”
KINETICWALL is a dynamic moving building façade. Made of 6″ flappers attached to stainless steel rods, the it responds to wind currents and undulates to create the look of rolling waves. The wall is customizable and can be designed to accommodate square or curved polycarbonate, glass, aluminum, or steel flappers. It is structurally designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and torrential rainfall, yet it is light enough to enable easy installation, air flow, and visibility from the inside.
The KINETICWALL also deflects sunlight, thus preventing solar heat gain, and the spacers between the flappers remove the chance for collateral noise. During repair or maintenance operations, the flappers can be removed and replaced without any specialized tools. All of these wind-driven, dynamic façade systems support a variety of flapper sizes and materials, including metal, polycarbonate, PTFE, and PVDF films. The spacers between the flappers reduce the collateral noise.
EXTECH engineers and fabricates the KINETICWALL systems in its factory and typically unitizes them into panels ready for delivery and installation. Dimensions commonly range from 3′ x 4′ to 5′ x 12′ in vertical or horizontal orientations.
For optimal cost and performance value, the KINETICWALL Drop-In suspension system is recommended. In this configuration, the T-shaped kinetic flappers are inserted into a specially designed “rung” extrusion system, reducing the amount of time and labor required for installation.
The KINETICWALL Pin-Mount suspension system allows the flapper elements to seemingly float in front of the support rungs and side rails as a veil. This configuration minimizes the appearance of the supporting structure. The Pin-Mount system allows for mixing flapper shapes to create unique geometric patterns and for installation at various mounting points, facilitating changes in kinetic activity.
KINETICWALL Drop-In and Pin-Mount suspension systems accommodate a 90° range of motion. Offering a 360° range of motion for the individual flappers, the KINETICWALL Rod-Mount suspension system allows for intermittent views through the kinetic façade.
The Rod-Mount design minimizes the appearance of the horizontal supporting structure from within the building. It also permits increased air-flow and promotes passive cooling in climates that are not susceptible to freezing. The vertical side rails are more prominent within the façade and the flappers can be replaced with simple tools.
“We also understand that there may be projects with specialized performance and aesthetic requirements, which may fall beyond the scope of our standard suspension systems,” Leslie acknowledged. “In these cases, we can modify any of our existing systems, or develop a completely new one, to meet project’s unique standards and specifications.”
