Technal is one of the most recognized suppliers of aluminium building systems in Spain, largely among architects. Consequently, the brand's booth was one of the most popular stops for trade professionals visiting Construmat 2009, the week-long event held in late April at the Gran Via exhibition center in Barcelona.

"We had a good flow of people, mainly architects, the key market group for Technal in Spain," says Jean François Cavalié, who is responsible for Hydro's aluminium building systems activities in Spain and in Portugal.

"In general, the market is quiet. Still, we are optimistic. We are working on opportunities together with our customers, and this is one of the leading building markets in Europe in several respects, including design. We are looking ahead with confidence."

Technal introduces new solutions

Technal was the largest pure supplier of aluminium building systems at Construmat 2009, and the brand introduced several new product concepts in Barcelona. These included:

• Lumeal hidden sash slider
• Soleal entrance door
• Suneal sun shading

In addition, Technal showed building-integrated photovoltaic solutions in MX curtain walling in the Brise-Soleil, windows and balustrades.

Building-integrated photovoltaics

Hydro has an in-house unit dedicated to the development of aluminium solutions with integrated photovoltaics, serving all the company's global aluminium systems brands.

The company distributed at Construmat its first sales catalog featuring these energy-efficient systems. The brochure includes general information about photovoltaics, building regulations, product solutions and the effects of such solutions, also financially.

Visitors to the Technal booth, and to Construmat's Casa Barcelona exhibit, also received insight into the new "solar simulation tool" that architects and developers can utilize in designing more energy-efficient buildings.

Creative answers with photovoltaics

In fact, Technal-brand systems with integrated photovoltaics were well displayed at the latest edition of Casa Barcelona – Construmat's showcase for architectural trends and concepts.

Casa Barcelona presented ideas on how to rehabilitate buildings in sustainable fashion, with internationally known architects Sauerbruch-Hutton, Carme Pinós, Xavier Claramunt and Andrés Jaque each delivering individual sections for the 300-square-meter pavilion.

Three of the four modules used the Technal systems.

The largest integrated aluminium company in Europe, Hydro is one of the preferred suppliers of aluminium building systems worldwide. Its brands – Alumafel, Domal, Technal and Wicona – cover the range of system products, from windows and doors for single-home residential solutions to the erection of façades on major structures such as new airports or high-rise buildings.