Warm Edge technology for sustainable planned glass towers

In Canada’s megacity of Toronto, one of the most fascinating and largest construction projects is currently in progress. The new, sustainably planned CIBC Square with its two soaring glass towers will be shaping the skyline of the Canadian business centre and contributing to positive urban development for decades to come. The energy-efficient Warm Edge system from adhesive and sealant manufacturer H.B. Fuller | KÖMMERLING was used in the construction of the distinctive glass diamond shapes in the façades.

The first of the two 250-metre-high glass towers has already been completed. The second tower is currently under construction and is expected to be finalized in 2024. Wilkinson Eyre Architects from the UK are responsible for the striking design, while Toronto-based Adamson Associates Architects is in charge of the execution. A key project facet is the visionary redevelopment of a 33,000 square metre campus which includes a transport hub between Toronto’s financial district and the Lake Ontario waterfront. Previously separated from each other by the wide Union Station, the twin towers positioned to the north and south of the tracks will be connecting the two neighbourhoods in the future through a public park spanning high above the railway lines. On an area of one hectare, a nature-like oasis for meetings, cultural events and local recreation will be created on the fourth-floor level of the towers – with a sweeping view over the lake.

Visionary urban development

The towers themselves not only house the new Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) headquarters, but also top-tier office and conference space for international firms. A podium with a spacious entrance lobby over several levels, housing retail, upscale dining and leisure facilities is also included. A new bus terminal for intercity lines is located in the southern tower which has already been built. Within the bases of both skyscrapers are various walkways, platforms and bridges that link all modes of transportation intersecting in the CIBC Square, including Toronto’s underground PATH pedestrian network, creating access to the waterfront.

With the development of this corporate campus, Toronto is opening up an area that will become a landmark project for the entire city through the successful combination of architecture, transportation infrastructure and its lakeside location. The CIBC Square was not only conceived as an exceptional working environment, but also as a space for communication and community, as an experiential environment and a recreational area. This includes the sustainable, ecological concept of the now interconnected public transport, as well as the sustainably planned architecture of the glass towers in compliance with international LEED® Platinum and WIRED & WELL Building™ standards.

Glass façades with highly efficient Warm Edge technology

Both 49- and 50-storey towers have a slightly fluted glass façade on all sides. Integrated into the exterior façade are diamond-shaped, prism-like backlit motifs, which are repeated at intervals of 10 storeys and contrast with the surrounding buildings as a result of their vertical scaling. To meet the high standards of excellent energy efficiency, 100-percent reliable impermeability and long-lasting stability of the structural glazing façade, the glass elements were equipped with the Warm Edge system from manufacturer H.B. Fuller | KÖMMERLING. This spacer system boasts exceptional gas-impermeability and longevity, even in the face of extreme temperature differences. The unique structure of the Warm Edge spacer technology is behind this outstanding performance: it consists of only one component, which is applied entirely automatically by robot and which chemically bonds with both the glass surface and the silicone secondary sealant. As a result, the entire edge seal literally “fuses” into a flexible and resilient unit offering unmatched energy efficiency and maximum service life. At the same time, the precise application of the black sealant creates a distinctively clean appearance and prevents any disturbing light reflections from arising in the space between the panes.

As part of the full-surface glass façades, the Warm Edge system from H.B. Fuller | KÖMMERLING makes a decisive contribution to the CIBC Square’s energy-efficient, sustainable architecture and beautifully demonstrates how innovative and environmentally friendly modern glass architecture can be.