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doi:10.3850/9789628014194_0004
Design and Construction of an Effective Window Wall System in High Rise Condominiums: A Case Study
D. J. Caesar1, R. C. Richman2 and K. D. Pressnail1
1 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto,
35 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario,
Canada, M5S 1A4
2 Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science, Ryerson University,
350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5B 2K3
ABSTRACT
Window wall systems are commonly-used in high rise buildings since they are often less expensive to
construct than curtain wall systems. However, making window wall systems that perform well in service
can be challenging, since good performance depends upon many factors including design, manufacture,
installation and maintenance. The goal of this paper is to illustrate how the challenges of design,
manufacture, and installation of window wall systems in two, 54 storey condominium buildings in
Toronto were met.
The paper illustrates how building envelope design and construction details manage heat, moisture, and air
movement, and discusses ways in which quality assurance methods can be instituted in order to ensure
that the design performs as expected. This paper also examines the problems and prospects of using
window wall systems generally and how future energy retrofits may be carried out. This study concludes
that proper window wall performance requires careful design detailing, controlled manufacturing, and
rigorous construction inspection and review.
Keywords: Cladding system, Glazing, Quality control, Residential windows, Retrofit, Tall buildings, Window
systems, Window wall.
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