Technical Portal for Sustainable Architecture
Ceramic Ventilated Facades: Engineering and Aesthetic Performance
Porcelain stoneware solutions for energy requalification and high asset value
The integration of porcelain stoneware into VM Group's ventilated façade systems represents state-of-the-art building envelope solutions. This is more than just a cladding, but a technological component capable of reducing a building's energy needs by up to 35%.
By activating the stack effect and eliminating thermal bridges, technical ceramic becomes the ideal shield for neutralizing heat loss, ensuring hygrometric stability and optimal structural breathability.
Our "dry" installation method allows for interventions on existing buildings, eliminating demolition costs and minimizing inconvenience to occupants, transforming an often obsolete real estate asset into an asset compliant with the most stringent European energy requirements.
Ventilated Facades in Natural Stone and Stone Materials
Ventilated Facades in Terracotta and Extruded Terracotta
Ventilated Facades in Extruded Stoneware
Ventilated Facades in Large-Scale Technical Ceramics
Ventilated Facades in Metallic Materials and Advanced Alloys
Ventilated Facades in HPL – High-Pressure Laminates
Natural Stone and Stone Materials
Timeless elegance supported by cutting-edge structural design.
Rimini Courthouse - Navona Travertine and Sunshade Systems
The allure of natural stone—marble, granite, travertine, and fine stone—represents the ultimate aesthetic expression of the building envelope. At VM Group, we integrate these traditional materials into technological systems that guarantee maximum safety and durability.
Thanks to our thirty years of experience, we go beyond simply supplying the material; we also engineer the façade system to manage the static loads and dynamic stresses (wind and seismic) typical of heavy materials. Using a 3D laser scanner, we map the existing structure to design a substructure with pinpoint accuracy, eliminating unexpected issues during installation.
Fastening Systems:
Concealed anchors: We use stainless steel brackets and aluminum profiles that fit within the thickness of the slab (Kerf or undercut systems), leaving the stone surface free from visual interruptions.
Exposed systems: For jobs requiring maximum operational speed, we offer certified stainless steel clips, calibrated for the specific weight of each individual stone type.
Extruded Terracotta and Terracotta
The warmth of tradition integrated into highly efficient technological systems.
Condominium Redevelopment in Bologna: Synergy between Cotto and Parklex
Terracotta represents an excellent choice for projects seeking a harmonious dialogue with the urban or natural context. At VM Group, we bring this ancient material into the future of construction, treating it as a precision engineering element. Our expertise allows us to manage the dimensional variations typical of the natural material, transforming them into an aesthetic highlight supported by absolute structural stability.
Designing a terracotta façade requires a thorough understanding of freeze-thaw cycles and the breathability of the envelope. Thanks to our preliminary 3D laser scanning surveys, we define the structural mesh so that each terracotta element is perfectly aligned, ensuring optimal airflow in the ventilation chamber.
Fastening Systems:
Interlocking rail systems: We use horizontal extruded aluminum profiles that fit into the grooves of the terracotta piece. This system allows for extremely tidy installation and the ability to replace individual elements if necessary.
Fixing with invisible clips: For special sizes or slats, we use stainless steel brackets that remain hidden by the joints, ensuring that the texture and natural color of the terracotta are the only protagonists of the facade.
Large-Format Technical Ceramics
Seamless, high-performance surfaces for uncompromising architectural design.
FAO Rome Multi-Storey Car Park: Laminam ceramic and Mapei adhesive fixing
Large-format ceramic slabs have revolutionized the aesthetics of ventilated facades, allowing for seamless surfaces with minimal joints. At VM Group, we select only ultra-high-density porcelain stoneware, capable of withstanding thermal shock and the most aggressive weather conditions, maintaining its original appearance for decades.
The technical challenge of these materials lies in their handling: handling and installing slabs exceeding 3 meters requires specific skills and dedicated equipment. Thanks to our 3D laser scanning approach, we design the substructure to accommodate the slabs with millimeter-level tolerance, ensuring perfect flatness even on surfaces spanning thousands of square meters.
Fastening Systems:
Concealed systems (Kerf/Undercut): Ideal for large-format slabs, these involve milling on the back or in the thickness of the slab where mechanical hooks are inserted. The result is a "clean" facade where the material's design is the sole protagonist.
Chemical-Mechanical Fixing: A hybrid system that combines the security of mechanical fixing with the stability of structural bonding, ideal for reducing vibrations and improving the response of the façade package to wind stress.
Metallic Materials and Advanced Alloys
Hi-tech solutions for contemporary architecture: dynamism, lightness, and protection.
Lecce Hospital: Ceramic and Composite Aluminum
L’impiego di metalli come l'alluminio, l'acciaio inox, il rame e lo zinco titanio permette di realizzare involucri dal forte impatto visivo e dalle eccezionali proprietà di riflessione e protezione. In VM Group, gestiamo la complessità dei rivestimenti metallici considerando ogni variabile critica, come le dilatazioni termiche e la compatibilità elettrolitica tra i diversi componenti.
Grazie alla nostra esperienza trentennale, siamo in grado di trasformare lastre grezze, pannelli compositi o reti stirate in una pelle architettonica perfetta. L'utilizzo del Laser Scanner 3D diventa qui imprescindibile per mappare i volumi e garantire che ogni pannello metallico si incastri perfettamente nella maglia strutturale, riducendo al minimo gli sfridi e garantendo una planarità impeccabile anche su grandi formati.
I Sistemi di Fissaggio:
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Sistemi a cassetta (Bolt-on / Hook-on): Prevedono la sagomatura dei bordi del pannello per l'aggancio a staffe specifiche, offrendo una facciata tridimensionale con fissaggi totalmente celati.
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Rivettatura o Viteria a vista in tinta: Per un'estetica più industriale o per pannelli piani, utilizziamo sistemi di fissaggio meccanico con testine laccate nello stesso colore del rivestimento (arancione aziendale o qualsiasi scala RAL), assicurando continuità visiva e massima tenuta al carico del vento.
HPL – High Pressure Laminates
Maximum freedom of expression and extreme resistance for facades with a contemporary design.
Ferrara: Luxury Private Residences with Advanced Design and Ventilated HPL Facades
I pannelli in HPL rappresentano una delle soluzioni più versatili per l'architettura moderna, offrendo una gamma pressoché infinita di finiture, dai colori pieni alle essenze materiche. In VM Group, trattiamo l'HPL non solo come un elemento estetico, ma come un materiale tecnico che richiede una profonda conoscenza delle dinamiche di assestamento strutturale.
Grazie alla nostra esperienza di 30 anni, progettiamo sistemi che tengono conto della natura igroscopica del materiale, garantendo che ogni pannello possa muoversi correttamente senza compromettere la planarità della facciata. L'integrazione del Laser Scanner 3D nel nostro workflow ci permette di calcolare i punti di fissaggio fissi e scorrevoli con precisione assoluta, assicurando una tenuta perfetta nel tempo.
I Sistemi di Fissaggio:
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Fissaggio con rivetti o viti in tinta: Utilizziamo sistemi meccanici con teste laccate nello stesso codice colore dei pannelli, garantendo un impatto visivo discreto e una sicurezza strutturale certificata.
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Sistemi a scomparsa con inserti: Per progetti di alto profilo, impieghiamo sistemi di aggancio sul retro del pannello tramite inserti meccanici che rimangono totalmente invisibili, esaltando la pulizia formale del rivestimento.
Ecological Fiber Cement
Textured surfaces and natural performance for sustainable and long-lasting architecture.
Equitone Fiber Cement Ventilated Facade: - Visible Fixing with Rivets
Fiber cement represents the perfect balance between naturalness and technology. It is a highly prized material for its authentic texture and high resistance to fire and weathering. At VM Group, we enhance the mineral nature of these panels by applying rigorous installation standards that preserve their characteristics over the long term.
With thirty years of experience, we know that the secret of a fiber cement facade lies in the meticulous management of joints and edge protection. Through 3D laser scanning, we are able to map the substructures with extreme accuracy, ensuring that every cut and hole are made with industrial precision, eliminating internal stresses within the material.
Fastening Systems:
Exposed mechanical fastening: We use specific screws or rivets with EPDM gaskets and colored heads to match the panel. This system guarantees maximum ventilation and certified structural stability even in extreme weather conditions.
Concealed mounting systems: For projects requiring absolute visual continuity, we integrate brackets on the back of the panels that attach to horizontal tracks, hiding all fastening elements and letting the material itself speak for itself.
