Panelization of Argeton Terracotta rainscreen wall is a reality with both completed projects and others in progress. Structural steel panels with Argeton tiles are constructed in a closed and controlled environment. The precision and accuracy of these panels is unsurpassed anywhere in the world. Sophisticated factories with overhead cranes for panel transport, metalworking and fabrication facilities are combined with excellent finishing skills. Engineering and shop details are usually in-house assets with panelizers. Panels are assembled to precise tolerances in the shop, stored and protected, then shipped to the site where they are hoisting into place and welded to the structure. An in depth awareness of the design technology for sealed and rainscreen applications is required to meet the varying building codes nationally and Telling Architectural has forged partnerships with contractors offering these techniques.

Panelized walls will span continuously from floor to floor outside the line of the structural frame. Connections to the frame are designed and engineered to address building movement from racking, deflection and seismic conditions. Joints are weather sealed to maintain watertight integrity of the rainscreen design.

The Atlantic Terminal project in Brooklyn, New York (pictured above) had a combination of panelized and in situ installation of the Argeton terracotta.

Crawley Schools PFI in the UK used pre-glazed prefabricated steel panels and in situ installed terracotta. On buildings up to three floors that do not suffer from access difficulties the best cost option can be a combination of panelized walling and in situ fixed terracotta using mobile scissor lifts or mast climbers.