Optimal Mimarlık completed the facade, joinery and glass railing applications of a private residence located in Dragos, Kartal, Istanbul. Exterior cladding, large glazed surfaces, operable aluminum systems and French balconies were designed as parts of a coordinated architectural composition.
The facade systems were planned according to the building geometry, opening dimensions and the visual connection established with the Princes’ Islands view. Particular attention was given to resolving the junctions between different materials and creating a consistent facade appearance throughout the building.
How Was the Mechanically Fixed Neolith Facade Applied?
The Neolith facade panels used on the exterior were installed with a mechanically fixed hidden-clip facade system. Interlocking hanger fittings were bonded to the rear surfaces of the Neolith sintered stone slabs with polyurethane adhesive, allowing the panels to be connected to the substructure without visible external fasteners.
The number and spacing of the hanger fittings were not determined according to a standard assumption. The dimensions of the Neolith slabs, the design wind loads acting on the facade and the height of the building were evaluated together. This calculation enabled facade loads to be distributed across the connection points and allowed the slabs to be securely supported by the substructure.
Using an insufficient number of fittings or positioning the connection points incorrectly may cause stress and cracking in the slabs over time. In more serious cases, the connections may lose their load-bearing capacity, creating a risk of panels separating from the substructure and falling. For this reason, the slab dimensions, wind loads, building height, number of fittings and connection layout were considered together when preparing the application details for the hidden-clip Neolith facade.
How Was the Capped Glass Facade Applied?
A capped curtain wall system was applied to the large glazed openings of the residence. The glass modules were positioned within the load-bearing facade profiles, while the external cap profiles defined the glazing axes and module arrangement.
The profile, glazing and connection details were prepared according to the facade openings and the junctions formed with the Neolith cladding. The glazed facade created transparent surfaces that strengthened the visual relationship between the interior spaces, the surrounding environment and the view.
Continuity of facade axes, edge finishes and orderly material junctions were considered at the transitions between the capped curtain wall and the mechanically fixed cladding. This allowed the two different systems to be integrated into a unified facade composition.
How Were the Sliding Doors Designed for the Princes’ Islands View?
Large sliding doors were designed for the sections opening onto the French balconies to provide a wider view of the Princes’ Islands from the interior spaces. Reynaers aluminum sliding systems were used for these openings.
The large glazed sliding panels created a direct connection between the living areas and the French balconies. The frames were positioned to limit their effect on the field of view. Frame, sash, threshold and perimeter junction details were developed according to the large glass dimensions.
What Glass Composition Was Used in the Sliding Doors?
The outer pane of the large sliding doors consisted of 6 mm Şişecam Solar Low-E coated glass, while the inner pane consisted of 4+4 mm laminated glass. The two 4 mm glass panes forming the inner layer were bonded together with an interlayer to create a laminated safety glass assembly.
The Solar Low-E coated outer pane contributed to the combined evaluation of thermal insulation and solar control, while the laminated inner pane enabled the glass composition to meet the requirements of the large openings. Since the width of the cavity between the outer and inner panes has not been confirmed, the glazing composition is described only by its verified outer and inner glass layers.
What Glass Was Used in the Aluminum Base Glass Railings?
An aluminum base glass railing system was installed at the French balconies and other edges requiring protection. The railing glass consisted of a 10 mm heat-strengthened pane, a 1.52 mm PVB interlayer and a second 10 mm heat-strengthened pane, forming a 10+1.52 PVB+10 mm laminated glass composition.
Combining the two 10 mm heat-strengthened panes with the 1.52 mm PVB interlayer produced laminated railing glass with a nominal thickness of 21.52 mm. The glass panels were fixed to the aluminum base profiles at the bottom, creating an uninterrupted glazed surface above.
The aluminum base system helped preserve the view from the French balconies and complemented the large sliding doors and the glass-dominant architectural character of the residence. Glass panel positions, corner junctions and facade connection points were applied according to the balcony dimensions.
How Were Structural and Thermal Transmittance Criteria Evaluated?
Structural calculations and thermal transmittance values for the facade, sliding joinery and glass railing systems were evaluated according to the project’s technical specification. System sections and connection details were checked by considering the opening dimensions, large glass sizes and site conditions.
This technical evaluation ensured that material and system selections were based not only on architectural appearance but also on the performance criteria defined for the project.
How Were the Different Systems Integrated?
The mechanically fixed Neolith facade, capped curtain wall, Reynaers sliding doors and aluminum base glass railings each have different connection and installation principles. Optimal Mimarlık coordinated the panel axes, glass modules, sliding door openings, French balconies, railing lines and material transitions within a unified facade plan.
Resolving the junction details before installation enabled the solid and transparent surfaces to continue in an orderly manner across the facade. The architectural design, relationship with the Princes’ Islands view and technical application requirements were therefore brought together within the same building envelope.
Project Result
The completed Dragos private residence features a contemporary exterior composed of Neolith cladding, capped curtain walls, large sliding doors and glass railings.
The coordinated application of the facade, joinery and railing systems preserved the architectural relationship between the living spaces and the surrounding view while meeting the technical requirements of the project. The project represents a comprehensive Optimal Mimarlık reference for the integrated application of facade and aluminum systems in private residences.
