CONSTRUCTION and architecture evolve to embrace new construction techniques and new architectural trends. However, the products that help drive this change are often overlooked.

With ‘green’ or sustainable construction now imperative, new products entering the market will have a major influence on the future of sustainable buildings across the globe.

The new Qbiss One modular facade system is just one such innovation, says Trimo, which ranks among the top European providers of original and complete solutions in steel buildings, roofs, facades, steel constructions, containers and sound-proof systems.

The firm, which has invested considerably in green construction products, says its flagship modular facade system was engineered from concept with environment and sustainability in mind. “Working with dcarbon8, the London-based carbon and sustainability consultancy, Trimo proactively worked to measure, reduce and off-set the embodied carbon footprint of its Qbiss facade system and its efforts were recognised in achieving the internationally-recognised environmental Planet Positive mark,” says Paul Kinsey, managing director of Trimo UK’s branch office in Dubai.

From the extraction of raw materials used to manufacture the galvanised sheet, the mineral insulation, adhesives and packaging, through to the energy required to produce a single panel – including the increasing use of recycled material and end-of-life disposal – all parts of the chain were scrutinised and measured. The result is a product that can be used confidently, Kinsey says.

He continues: “Being sensitive to the environment does not mean compromising architectural freedom. A product that is developed from scratch with sustainability in mind could continue to hold these benefits without compromising any of the modern aesthetics demanded by architects and designers. The new Fosters + Partners-designed McLaren Production Centre in the UK, which will house the facilities for the manufacture of the company’s high-performance sports car the MP4-12C, has Qbiss One specified extensively throughout the construction. Its clean, modern and minimalistic design echoes the precision and engineering of the product within.”

A striking feature of the Qbiss One is its unique rounded corner element; it eliminates joints, folds and sharp edges, which not only improves watertightness and corrosion resistance, but adds to the overall visual aesthetics. “This patented innovation is brought about by manufacturing techniques more typically associated with the automotive manufacturing industry, and ensures an almost perfect and consistent manufacturing run for the highest quality,” he says.

Architecturally, Qbiss One allows great freedom of expression and, from a design perspective, its applications are said to be almost limitless, and being put to good use in building green schools, retail developments, leisure facilities, office blocks, hotels and commercial projects throughout the world.

“Many of these Qbiss One projects are attracting critical acclaim as the product can be installed vertically, horizontally and even off-set in a brick-like manner to bring true individual character to a building,” Kinsey points out.

Design possibilities are further extended when Qbiss One is used together with ArtMe, Trimo’s innovative facade surface treatment that allows literally any design, shape, pattern or log to be added to the surface of the panel for expressive results. Using highly-controlled 3-D forming technology, the integrity of the panel as well as its performance characteristic are preserved without compromise.

“Patterns, brands, images as well as more bespoke designs can literally bring a project to life,” he says. “Using the surface treatment, no adhesives are required or any other structural elements. The new visitor centre at the UK’s Jodrell Bank installation showcases this with a dramatic edge-to-edge space-like landscape. With its black lustre finish, visitors are taken immediately into a space-like environment before they even enter the building. ArtMe has received the much-coveted red dot product design award for 2010, underlining the contribution it can make to the designed landscape.”

Although being green and sustainable often adds to the cost of the overall project, Kinsey states, with ground-up engineering and development, Qbiss One can look very attractive; it reduces construction time considerably as it is self-supporting requiring fixing only at the edges onto the sub-construction. Additionally, compared to built-up systems – to which additional insulation and composite panels with associated substructure have to be added to the foundation brick or concreted wall – Qbiss One’s modular natures requires none of this, therefore saving costs and making installation far simpler, according to Kinsey.

“From the simplest building to the most dramatic construction, Qbiss One is a genuine architectural solution, with all the benefits of being ‘green’ and sustainable too. It is the smart choice for the building envelope,” he concludes.