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Sika's high-performance sealing and bonding solutions enable the creation of architecture such as the Harbin Opera House in Northeast China, which was recently recognized as ArchDaily's Building of the Year in 2016. Built to withstand the hardships of Harbin with its temperatures ranging from -40°C up to 40°C, the opera house had special requirements in terms of construction and material performance.
Design
The fluid form of the building is wrapped in smooth white aluminum façade panels and appears as a snowcapped mountain topped with shining ice and snow inspired by the local winter. The building, housing two theatres for 1,600 and 400 visitors respectively, opened in 2015 after five years of construction.
Sika Solutions - Joint Sealing
The extreme climate creates a challenge in regards to building materials, including sealants for bonding the aluminum cladding and glass facades. Sealants have to withstand the extreme temperature changes between winter and summer. In winter a snow melting device at the bottom of the aluminum-clad facade can change the temperature of the facade from -40°C to as high as 50°C in a very short time. Under such conditions, the aluminum cladding can experience linear expansion of up to 10 mm, which must be absorbed by the Sikasil® sealants.
Sika Solutions - Building Envelope Systems
The crystalline glass curtain wall, composed of transparent pyramids is watertight, wind-tight, and resistant to wind pressure. The glass must be able to withstand stress, movement, and deformation after being bonded. Sikasil® products ensure a flexible structural bonding of the facade to provide a safe curtain wall. They also prevent condensation from forming within the insulating glass under low temperatures.
