May 13 - 16, 2008
Gaylord Palms
Orlando, Florida USA

Management Issues

010 MI 
Wednesday, May 14 - 3:15pm

The Role and Use of Aluminum in “Green” Architecture

Joanna Biedronska -- Department of Architecture, Silesian Technical University, Poland;
Wojciech Z. Misiolek -- Institute for Metal Forming, Lehigh University, USA

Architects are challenged to design environmentally friendly buildings that conserve energy. Key construction material properties include durability, aesthetics, non-emissivity, and recyclability. Specified materials require high formability and structural strength, using complex shapes that are easily, firmly joined -- especially important when joining large building façade panels. Technical requirements, design/fabrication flexibility, and cost are reviewed. Aluminum extrusion offers architects optimum sustainability for building applications.