Exclusive architectural buildings all over the world are fitted with Solarlux´s folding façades. The market leader from Bissendorf in Germany is the supplier of all the vertical glazing for the new glass furniture pavilion on Germany´s highest mountain, the Zugspitze.

Two conditions essential for winning this unusual contract were based on climatic conditions. One is that the windows suppliers ensure tightness despite tem-perature variations ranging from icy -40° C to spring-like +15° C. The other condition is that the windows must not give way at wind speeds up to 125 mph (wind force 16).

The folding façade type used was the hurricane-tested SL 70e which is certified by institutes such as “ift” Rosenheim. Apart from its strength at such enormous wind forces the system incorporates the “travelling” design posts which offer structural advantages. The integrated home hinges offer better ad-justment facilities for individual building panels so that tightness is always guaran-teed.

All window units were pre-assembled before transported to the 8 000 feet high peak. The height difference of 6,900 feet between manufacturing loca-tion and installation site was a challenge on its own. The sealed units were manufactured with an air pressure of 1645 feet above sea level. The con-siderably lower air pressure on the Zugspitze would have led to a bulging of the panes. Therefore the edge of the sealed units was fitted with a valve which ensured that the pressure was equalised during transport. After the sealed units had “acclimatised” themselves at the height of 8,000 feet, the valves were shut and sealed.

The glass pavilion which is meant to be a hospitality venue for skiers was officially opened in October.