Facade / Non-load-bearing glazed facade
Curtain wall
/ˈkɜːr.tən wɔːl/noun
From Anglo-Norman cortine, the wall between castle towers, and Old English weall.
Definition
A lightweight outer wall, usually of glass and aluminum, hung from the building’s structural frame. It carries only its own weight and wind pressure while keeping weather out.
Fig. 90 — Curtain wall: schematic studyNOT TO SCALE
Illustrative study — Curtain wall · AI-generatedSAMPLE IMAGE
Photo study — Curtain wall · AI-generated00:06
Structural & construction notes
Mullions and transoms span floor to floor and are anchored at the slab edges. Good systems include thermal breaks, internal drainage and weeps, and fire-stopping in the spandrel zone between floors.
An educational reference. Project-specific design requires professional guidance.