Promotion: architectural manufacturer Kawneer offers aluminium facade systems that are designed to minimise environmental impact, helping buildings to achieve sustainable certification.

As a leading producer of commercial construction systems, Kawneer has pledged its commitment to achieving sustainability standards both now and in the future.

To achieve this, the company has developed a strategy for future-proofing its products. Kawneer's aluminium facade solutions are designed to exceed regulatory requirements across the board, to ensure longevity.

"Our product innovation team works relentlessly to develop systems that meet or surpass sustainable standards, from manufacturing to installation," said Kimberly Ferro, vice president of global marketing, product and technology for parent company Arconic Building & Construction Systems. "Our focal points are energy performance and occupant comfort."

A key aspect of Kawneer's sustainability strategy relates to material use. The company's products are primarily made of aluminium, a metal that is not only lightweight, flexible and strong, but also infinitely recyclable.

Kawneer has been able to introduce recycled aluminium content into the manufacturing process without impacting the quality of the product. Facade systems come with a 50-year life expectancy.

The brand has also taken steps to make its operations as transparent as possible.

By integrating new procedures into the design and development phases, Kawneer can now trace the carbon footprint of its products and share that information with customers.

"Our customers have a series of documents and information to help them realise truly sustainable projects," said Ferro. "Amongst these documents are Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) that show the carbon footprint on the processing of our framing systems, material and ingredient content reports, and sustainable procurement practices guidelines."

The company also follows Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives, practices wastewater management and landfill waste reduction, and offers support to industry associations advocating sustainable design.

Kawneer is now using its sustainability expertise to advise architects and contractors on product selection, to maximise a building's energy efficiency.

For the Shorb Tower at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, seven Kawneer products were selected "each one demonstrating how sustainable design has evolved to focus on the people who use the building every day".

These include a modular curtain wall that minimises waste and construction time, sunshades that optimise natural light while reducing solar heat gain, and operable windows for natural ventilation.

"The Shorb Tower is an excellent example of our 'integrated project delivery' approach," said Ferro. "Our team worked closely with the hospital managers and users to achieve sustainable success through all phases."

"Sustainable building design requires complex engineering with a lot of moving parts and pieces," she continued.

"While there are some components like sunshades, electrochromic glass, or solar panels that work visibly to the favour of the building's efficiency, there are just as many invisible components, including thermal breaks and enhanced structural performance technology that contribute to the sustainability of the structure."

Going forward, the brand intends to continue investing in new technologies and innovations for sustainability.

For more information, visit Kawneer's website.

Partnership content

This article was written by Dezeen for Kawneer as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.