Invented in 1955, the Kalwall translucent sandwich panel has evolved into a state-of-the-art daylighting technology from Kalwall Corp. in Manchester, N.H. Kalwall offers eight building systems: translucent wall panel systems, curtainwall systems, windows and replacements, standard skylight systems, pre-engineered skylights, custom skylight systems, walkways and small structures, large systems, and entire structures.

Kalwall is formed by permanently bonding, under heat and pressure, a specially formulated, fiberglass reinforced face to a grid core constructed of interlocked, extruded structural aluminum or composite I-beams. During the manufacturing process, the panels can be infilled with translucent fiberglass insulation “batts.”

Shown is the BigHorn Home Improvement Center in Silverthorne, Colo., by Marketplace Architects (Dillon, Colo.). BigHorn is a 44,422-square-foot retail building comprised of three phases, each one stressing a different aspect of energy conservation. Through the use of Kalwall translucent panels, this project demonstrates the effectiveness of energy-efficient daylighting. For more information, visit www.kalwall.com.

Circle No. 108

BigHorn photo by Jim Yost, Department of Energy, courtesy of Kalwall Corp.