The special session organized by the Aluminium Association was conducted on AlumForum online platform. The session was attended by leading experts in the field of architecture and construction from Russia and Germany. Participants of the webinar "Aluminium in architecture and construction" Aluminium bridges. Russia - Germany" discussed the opportunities for application of aluminium as a construction material for bridge building and road infrastructure, building design and 'green' construction. The partners of the event include the Russian Union of Architects, the Moscow Union of Architects and the German Aluminium Association (GDA).
In her opening address, the co-chair of the Aluminium Association Irina Kazovskaya noted the importance of the topic being discussed, considering that a quarter of global aluminium consumption is attributed to construction sector. The experts of the Aluminium Association have put a lot of effort in improving the obsolete standards and regulations that until recently has been an obstacle to implementing innovative aluminium products. According to Irina Kazovskaya, the adoption of new rules and GOST standards will contribute to an increase in aluminium consumption in various sectors of industry, ensuring functionality, safety and efficient use of technology of the implemented projects. Another important objective of the Aluminium Association is to make aluminium more popular in the professional community of architects, developers and designers. A perfect example of this approach is the AlumForum, which was first held in 2019. The exhibition display of the forum brought into focus the capabilities of the Russian and foreign aluminium processers.
The representatives of the German Aluminium Association that has more than 20 member companies, spoke at the webinar about using aluminium solutions in architecture and construction, taking into account various factors that include aggressive environment, purpose of the project as well as giving complex forms to the product. One of the majortrends in the German aluminium industry is the increase in the number of pedestrian overpasses built from aluminium alloys. In the last 8 years Germany has built 400 aluminium overpasses that were light and could be installed quickly.
The speakers noted that aluminium is an ideal material for modern buildings, whose design requires compliance with ecological and energy efficiency requirements. Aluminium can be used in facade systems, wall and column facing, for installing balcony and terrace railings, air conditioner cages, heat exchangers, wiring, transparent systems and other elements of buildings.
During the webinar, the experts said that aluminium was the cornerstone of the 'green' recovery after the pandemic. In many countries, the governments are investing more and more resources in electric vehicles, renewable energy sources, recyclable packaging and 'green' construction. For instance, the use of low carbon footprint aluminium can reduce the content of the embodied carbon in buildings by 20%. In the traditional concept buildings that have aluminium elements installed, the carbon footprint is reduced by 7%.
The participants came to the conclusion that the format proposed by the Aluminium Association is an efficient method to foster direct dialogue between the aluminium associations of Germany and Russia and the leading architects, designers and producers of advanced aluminium-based energy-efficient materials. Further strengthening of the cooperation will allow to expand the opportunities for application of aluminium as a construction material for bridge building and road infrastructure.
The materials of AlumForum-online: "Aluminium in Architecture and Construction Aluminium bridges. Russia – Germany" are available on the website of the Aluminium Association.