A semi-capped curtain wall system was installed on the management façade of the Miletiket Factory, creating different architectural characteristics along the horizontal and vertical directions. In the project completed by Optimal Mimarlık, the glass façade was designed with horizontal silicone joints and specially formed vertical external caps.
This system configuration created a simple and uninterrupted glass appearance in the horizontal direction while the vertical caps added a defined rhythm and visual depth to the façade. The balance between the transparent glass surfaces and the vertical aluminum caps supports the contemporary and corporate architectural identity of the factory’s management façade.
Glass Façade with Horizontal Silicone Joints
Silicone joints were applied to the horizontal connections between the glass modules without using external cover caps. This solution produced a continuous horizontal glass appearance and reduced unnecessary profile density on the façade.
The silicone joints define the horizontal connections between the glass modules while contributing to a simple and visually integrated façade. Keeping the horizontal lines in the background makes the architectural effect of the vertical almond-shaped caps more prominent.
Vertical 5 × 20 cm Almond-Shaped Façade Caps
Special almond-shaped aluminum caps with 5 × 20 cm section dimensions were used at the vertical glass connections. Unlike standard flat caps, these specially formed profiles create a strong vertical rhythm and changing shadow effects across the façade surface.
The dimensions and geometry of the almond-shaped caps were evaluated together with the proportions of the glass modules and the overall architectural composition of the management façade. The vertical caps therefore function not only as system components but also as architectural elements that define the external appearance of the building.
Architectural Effect of the Semi-Capped Curtain Wall System
In semi-capped curtain wall systems, glass connections can be designed with silicone joints in one direction and external cover caps in the other. The horizontal silicone and vertical cap arrangement selected for the Miletiket Factory combines the horizontal continuity of the glass surfaces with the visual emphasis of the vertical aluminum elements.
This approach produces varying shadow and depth effects depending on the viewing direction and the angle of daylight. The transparency of the glass surfaces supports the use of natural daylight within the management areas, while the vertical caps give the factory building a strong and clearly defined façade character.
Façade Design and Application Details
In semi-capped glass façades, profile axes, glass module dimensions, silicone joints, vertical cap connections, drainage arrangements and building interfaces must be designed as an integrated system. In the Miletiket Factory application, the horizontal and vertical façade elements were coordinated by considering both the technical requirements of the system and the intended architectural appearance.
Optimal Mimarlık provides the design and application of capped, semi-capped and silicone curtain wall solutions for different building types. For further information about these system alternatives, visit the Capped, Semi-Capped and Silicone Curtain Wall Systems page.
