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Laminated glass fins on the Samsung Headquarters in Seoul, Korea, carry gravity loads

From a Laminated Glass News interview with Matt King, Associate, Façade Engineering Group, Ove Arup New York

Matt King

"We used laminated glass fins extensively on the Samsung Headquarters in Seoul, Korea, completed with architects KPF. We wanted to develop a system where the fins carried gravity loads from the glazing down to the ground, rather than hanging the system from above, so we had to consider the consequences of failure of a fin from nickel sulphide inclusions or accidental damage".

Samsung's headquarters, Korea

"Traditionally, fins would be made of monolithic glass because this suits the friction clamps typically used to connect fin elements together, but this type of glass also leaves fins prone to failure. We needed a solution that was more robust and so we worked together with contractors Eckelt and Gartner to develop a laminated option".

"The fin build-up is a triple laminate of 10 mm heat strengthened, 12 mm tempered, and 10 mm heat strengthened glass. In the case of accidental damage to one of the panes, the other two will carry the gravity load on the fin."