Sony Center, Potsdamer Platz
Facade of the Tower

Facade of Office Tower at Potsdamer Platz
Photo by Aoki Tsukasa
Expressions made by glass-fins
Looking up at the Tower, you will immediately notice two different kinds of glass faces: One face is articulated vertically with glass-fins, while the other plane is smooth, where glass covers only the openings. Glass fins are installed inside, resulting in a smooth surface. The Glass-fins are made of two tempered glass panes of 15mm in thickness and 135 mm in width. The top and bottom sides of the glaze are fixed with stainless brackets. Externally located fins are longer and are stabilized at the spandrel. Internally located fins are installed nearer to the ceiling and the floor. Other than this difference, the basic structure is the same for both types of glass-fins.


Inside of Office Tower at Potsdamer Platz
Photo by Aoki Tsukasa
 Glass is expected to achieve various functions
The entire surface of the facade is made of glass-curtain-wall, thus, there are vigorous performance requirements. The architects have selected Low-E double glazing which offers 60-63% light transmission, which promises a very bright indoors. The 29-32% shading coefficient means a very high level of heat insulation. The facade U-value = 1,32 W/sqmK and R'w of 35/40/45 dB assures good light transmission, light reflection, and heat and noise insulation, in fact, striking a very good balance of various physical features. The inside of the fa_ade is fitted with roll screens or window shades. The ceramic prints pasted on the upper part of the glaze, above the roll screen as an added protection against the sunlight are made of laminated ceramic to screen off solar radiation. Every second window is power operated. Convectors below the floor near the windows prevent cold drafts.
Although a plane surface of glaze and frames is implemented, the glass corners are inclined to prevent their falling. The windows located at 51 meters or higher, with special built-in tungsten wires in the glaze prevent radio interference, a precaution for aircraft radars.

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