The Batimat Design Awards are held every two years as part of the international construction exhibition and conference in Paris. The awards recognize manufacturers who have launched innovative building products developed in conjunction with in-house or external designers. 

At this year’s awards, Technal won a Silver trophy in the Structural category, which was presented at a glittering event held at the historic Hotel de Ville in Paris.

The award was given for a double-skin façade concept developed by Technal with leading French architects, Jacques Ferrier Architectures. The aluminium system ‘folds’ to help accommodate a building in its environment – it is ‘pleated’ vertically for east or west orientations and horizontally for southern aspects.

The façade panels can be modular and units with photovoltaic cells provide sun-shading to reduce solar gain and control glare. The double-skin system is also designed to improve insulation, to cool the photovoltaic components whose efficiency is temperature-related and to deliver enhanced acoustic performance.

The concept was developed by Technal as part of a research and development project to redefine the building envelope and demonstrate innovative use of solar power generation.

This year Technal also launched a number of new façade products at Batimat, which all encompass the brand’s ethos for style, functionality, sustainability and comfort.