Quote:
Originally Posted by Marshal
I know what you mean and agree fully about the NEW West tower. Its like the Wall Centre towers at Boundary/Kingsway, which are pulled off more successfully, though they are still quite weak.
Now, this is not you Klazu, there are many of you who misuse the word 'spandrel,' and have been for a long time.
'Spandrel' is defined as the panel that matches, and therefore covers, the floor structure. And only that! Recent systems have been using the same panels (different shapes of course) in all sorts of conditions on the face of buildings. Technically, they are just 'panels' or 'blind panels' (I think the second comes from Europe - I've been using/hearing it on a project in Zurich); 'spandrel' is a term that comes from classic modern curtain walls (think TD Centre, Toronto) and only refers to the band around where the floor meets the facade. I really don't expect to correct this misuse, but after the endless 'spandrel whining' on this forum, I had to at least inform you guys. Hopefully some of you care about speaking correctly about technical issues.
So, I agree Klazu, this building suffers from an excess of metal paneling.
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On this forum it's an informal 'slang' word for panels that span an area of the facade (spanning panel = spandrel). It has become so prevalent because these metal/glass panels are often ugly/bland vast areas of new buildings that define 'cheap and quick architecture' that will inevitably become problematic as they age. We needed a word to quickly refer to this issue.
Shrinking seals and corrosion of screws, rivets and brackets will inevitably mean these vast areas will be replaced in 20-40 years at great expense.
I will be around then and shaking my head, remembering the previous leaky condo debacle.