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Overview
Schüco is one of the world’s leading suppliers of aluminium window, door and façade systems. Their systems are widely specified by architects and developers for commercial and residential projects requiring high performance, precision engineering and modern design.
To support architects, consultants and project stakeholders in the UK, Schüco developed a dedicated showroom space where their façade, window and door systems could be viewed and experienced in person.
Structura was appointed to fabricate and install a range of Schüco façade and door systems for the showroom. The goal was to create a functional display environment where architects, specifiers, developers and Schüco partners could examine the systems closely and better understand how they perform in real-world building applications.
The completed installation provides a hands-on environment where key façade systems can be explored in detail, allowing visitors to evaluate system design, engineering quality and integration possibilities for their own projects.
Details
Client:
Schüco International
Location:
Great Portland Street, London
Architect:
Schüco International
Project Metrics
Although the showroom installation differs from conventional building projects, several measurable outcomes highlight the value of the work delivered. Key performance and project metrics include:
Project objective:
Create a functional demonstration environment allowing architects, specifiers and developers to view and interact with Schüco façade systems in person.
Project type:
Façade and door system showroom installation.
Systems installed:
Multiple Schüco façade, window and door systems.
Primary systems featured:
- Schüco FWS 35 PD curtain wall façade
- Schüco ADS 65 HD entrance doors
- Schüco AWS 70 HI side-hung window
- Schüco ASS 70 FD folding door system
- Schüco ADS 70 HD door
- Adeco door sample display
The Challenge
Designing and installing façade systems for a showroom environment presents a different set of challenges compared with conventional building installations. Rather than simply installing systems within a functional building envelope, the objective is to create display installations that clearly demonstrate how the systems operate, how they are constructed and how they integrate with other façade elements. For the Schüco showroom project, several important challenges needed to be addressed.
Demonstrating Complex Façade Systems
Modern façade systems often contain complex engineering details that are difficult to understand through drawings or specification documents alone. Architects and project stakeholders frequently benefit from seeing these systems physically installed before selecting them for major projects. The showroom therefore needed to showcase several different Schüco systems in a way that allowed visitors to view system profiles, opening mechanisms, structural components, interface connections, and finish quality. The installations needed to demonstrate both the design and technical capabilities of each system.
Creating Functional Demonstration Units
Unlike static display models, façade showroom installations must allow visitors to interact with the systems. Doors must open and close correctly. Folding door systems must demonstrate their movement. Window systems must show the opening configuration and performance characteristics. This requires fabrication and installation that replicates real project conditions as closely as possible while still functioning within a showroom setting. Each system therefore needed to be installed with the same precision that would normally be required on a live building project.
Integrating Multiple Systems in a Limited Space
The showroom needed to display several different Schüco façade, window and door systems within a limited area. Each installation needed to be clearly visible and accessible without overcrowding the space. The layout had to allow visitors to move between systems and examine each product independently while still understanding how the systems could be used together in a building façade. Careful coordination of installation locations and display arrangements was required to ensure the space functioned effectively.
Maintaining High Installation Quality
Schüco systems are known for their engineering precision and high design standards. Any showroom installation needed to reflect these qualities accurately. Poor installation or inaccurate detailing could misrepresent the system’s true capabilities. Structura therefore needed to fabricate and install the façade and door systems to the same standards expected on commercial projects.
Structura’s Solution
Structura delivered a comprehensive fabrication and installation solution for the Schüco showroom, ensuring that each system was installed accurately and displayed effectively for visitors. The work involved installing a range of façade, window and door systems that represent key elements of the Schüco product portfolio.
Schüco FWS 35 PD Curtain Wall Façade
One of the central installations within the showroom is the Schüco FWS 35 PD curtain wall façade system. This façade system demonstrates the clean architectural lines and precision engineering associated with Schüco curtain wall solutions. The installation allows visitors to examine profile detailing, glazing integration, façade structural elements, and interface connections.
By presenting the curtain wall system in a real installation environment, architects and designers can better understand how the system would appear and perform in commercial façade applications. Curtain wall systems such as the FWS 35 PD are widely used in modern buildings where large glazed surfaces and minimal framing are required to achieve a contemporary architectural appearance.
Schüco ADS 65 HD Entrance Doors
The showroom installation also includes Schüco ADS 65 HD entrance doors, designed for durability and performance in high-traffic commercial environments. Entrance doors play an important role in building façade design because they must combine aesthetics, security and operational reliability. The installation demonstrates aluminium door frame design, opening mechanisms, and system robustness for commercial use.
Visitors are able to operate the door directly and assess its construction and movement. This provides valuable insight for architects and project teams specifying entrance systems for offices, residential developments or public buildings.
Schüco AWS 70 HI Window System
Another key system installed in the showroom is the Schüco AWS 70 HI side-hung open-in window system. This window system is designed to provide high levels of thermal insulation while maintaining the clean appearance expected in modern aluminium window systems. The installation allows visitors to observe the opening configuration of the window, frame construction and detailing, glazing integration, and overall system finish.
Side-hung window systems such as the AWS 70 HI are commonly used in residential and commercial buildings where ventilation and thermal performance are both important considerations.
Schüco ASS 70 FD Folding Door System
Folding door systems are increasingly popular in contemporary architecture, particularly in residential and hospitality developments where indoor and outdoor spaces are designed to connect seamlessly. The Schüco ASS 70 FD open-out folding door system installed in the showroom demonstrates how large glazed panels can be folded to create wide openings.
Visitors can operate the system directly to observe panel movement, folding mechanisms, frame detailing, and structural stability. Seeing the system in operation helps architects and developers understand how folding doors function in real-world building environments.
Additional System Displays
Alongside the main façade and door installations, the showroom also includes Adeco door sample display and Schüco ADS 70 HD door system. These installations provide additional examples of aluminium door solutions available within the Schüco product range. By displaying several systems together, the showroom allows visitors to compare different configurations and understand how each system might be applied in a building project.
Project Results
The Schüco showroom installation successfully created an interactive environment where architects, consultants and developers can explore façade systems in detail. The completed space provides both visual and functional demonstrations of several key Schüco systems.
Improved Product Understanding for Architects & Specifiers
Architects and designers often rely on drawings, technical documentation and digital models when selecting façade systems. However, seeing and operating a system in person can significantly improve understanding of how it will perform in a real project. The showroom installations allow visitors to examine system construction, profile detailing, glazing interfaces, and opening mechanisms. This hands-on experience helps project teams make more informed decisions when specifying façade and window systems.
Supporting Technical Advice & Design Consultation
The showroom also functions as a technical consultation space. Visitors can view the installed systems while discussing design requirements with Schüco specialists. This combination of physical product displays and technical expertise creates a valuable resource for architects and developers exploring façade solutions for new projects. The presence of real system installations allows technical advice to be demonstrated visually rather than explained purely through documentation.
Demonstrating System Integration
Modern buildings often combine multiple façade elements including curtain walls, windows and doors. The showroom installations demonstrate how different Schüco systems can work together within a single building envelope. Seeing these systems displayed together helps project teams visualise how the elements might be integrated into future building designs.
High-Quality Installation Reflecting System Standards
Structura’s fabrication and installation ensured that each system was installed to the standards expected in commercial building projects. Maintaining high installation quality was essential to accurately represent the engineering precision and design quality associated with Schüco systems. The completed showroom therefore provides a reliable representation of how the systems would appear and perform in real architectural applications.
The Value of Showroom Installations for Façade Systems
For façade engineering and architectural product manufacturers, showrooms provide an important bridge between technical specification and real-world understanding. Seeing systems installed and operating within a physical space allows architects and project stakeholders to evaluate details that are difficult to interpret through drawings alone. This includes profile dimensions, finish quality, system movement, and structural proportions. By enabling hands-on interaction with façade systems, showroom installations support better-informed design decisions and more effective collaboration between architects, engineers and manufacturers.
Structura’s Experience with Façade Systems
Structura works closely with architects, contractors and façade system manufacturers to deliver high-quality installations across a range of building types. These projects include curtain wall façades, glazing systems, aluminium windows and doors, atrium glazing installations, and architectural façade systems. The Schüco showroom installation demonstrates Structura’s ability to deliver precise fabrication and installation work even in specialist environments where systems must be presented clearly and accurately for professional audiences.