Connecting systems for Modern Wood Curtain Walls

As a producer of patented connecting systems we develop and produce high-quality products which are distributed worldwide. Not only will our connecting systems convince – but also inspire you with the wide range of applications. The comprehensive service offers you the possibility to find the best, the most efficient and innovative solution for the realisation of your products.

On the following pages you will find our connector systems for modern wood curtain walls. Every connector permits high prefabrication and possesses the CE- and Ü-Marking through European and German certification of standards. Regular external inspection guarantees maximum security for planners, architects, manufacturers and owners.

Are you from the Americas? Follow the link to view our connectors for Wood Curtain Walls on our US website!
With over 30 years of experience inventing connecting solutions for woodworkers, KNAPP® is proud to say, „we supply the world“. While our main headquarters is located in Austria, KNAPP® has been supplying connectors to the United States and Canada for over 20 years. As the demand for invisible connecting solutions grew, we replied by establishing our U.S. branch in 2017 to better serve the needs of our fellow woodworkers. If you live within North, South, or Central America, please visit KNAPPconnectors.com or email info@KNAPPconnectors.com to be connected with the right representative.

RICON® | The connector for main and secondary beam up to 23,4 kN

The main and secondary beam joint connector RICON® consists of two identical connector plates made of steel. An optional lock can be installed to latch the connector. The RICON® is recessed and non-visible, and can be used with timber widths as little as 50 mm. RICON® is available in a single connector set and double connector set for cross joints in six sizes 60, 80, 100, 120, 140 and 160/40. The RICON is also available in stainless steel.

NEW and improved:

  • Better grip on the timber by means of a star-shaped embossing on the backside of the connector plate.
  • Mounting also on intermediate layers up to 26 mm (i.e. OSB).
  • Special coating for increased corrosion resistance for indoor swimming pools, riding halls, stables and farm buildings (tested).
  • Approval for off-centered glass loads up to 700 kg given by an additional reinforcing plate.
  • ETA extension for Hardwood (i.e. oak, larch, beech)
  • Concealed – connectors are recessed and non-visible.
  • Disassembly and reassembly possible if needed.
  • High degree of prefabrication – fast and exact assembly on-site.
  • Universal – connectors can fasten timber to timber, to steel and to concrete components.
  • Unique – can also be used for polygon façades.
  • Slim timber dimension – can be mounted on timber with thickness as little as 50mm and up to 450mm.
  • Labor efficient – no additional screwing or nailing needed when assembled on site.
  • Adjustable – can be adjusted according to joints intervals and construction tolerances.
  • Versatile – can be used for single joint and double joint applications.
  • Flexible – direction of assembly can even be from the outside towards the inside and from down upwards.
  • Safety – fire resistance according to (DIN 4102-2) by 4-sided concealed mounting (R30 ≥ 20 mm, R60 ≥ 40 mm).
  • Neutral – can be used in combination with different exterior profile systems such as RP, Schüco, MBJ, Gutmann, RAICO, Stabalux, … etc.

Research and Workshop Building in Diemerstein

Knapp-Connector: WALCO® V60 / RICON® 100×40 EA / DA

Architect:
Design, Univ.-Prof. Stephan Birk (since April 2021 TU Munich), Marcel Balsen, Nik Beiler
Structural planning: planning and materials, Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Graf, Reiner Klopfer, Viktor Poteschkin, Yannick Braun, Oliver Betha
Manufacturing three-hinge frames and cone adapters Schmeing GmbH & Co. KG, 57399 Kirchhundem, www.dehonit.de

Structural planning:
t-lab wood architecture and wood materials, fatuk, Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), 67663 Kaiserslautern, www.tlab.architektur.rptu.de

Builder:
Production of timber frame : Wilch Holzhaus GmbH
Manufacture of three-hinged frames:  Schmeing GmbH & Co. KG
Machining wood: Cltech GmbH & Co. KG

Contractor:
Foundation TU Kaiserslautern, Administration Dr. agr. Annette Mechel,  67663 Kaiserslautern, www.rptu.de
t-lab wood architecture and wood materials, fatuk, Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), 67663 Kaiserslautern, www.tlab.architektur.rptu.de

Engineering:
Drees & Sommer Advanced Building Tech. Stuttgart
Ralf Buchholz

Fire protection consulting:
IBC Engineering-Consult GmbH Mainz
Martin Hermes

Geotechnical report:
Jörg Huber Engineering Office
Dipl.-Ing. J. Huber

Year of construction: 2022

Construction method:
Construction (e.g., glulam wall and roof)
Structural System: Three-hinged frames made of BauBuche (bars) and synthetic resin-bonded wood (nodes)
Wooden frame and Insulation layer

Address: Diemerstein 6, 67468 Frankenstein, Germany

Building space: approx. 360 m²

Presentation: youtube.com/@tlab_RPTUhttps://youtube.com/@tlab_RPTU

Image source: t-lab, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern

Wood-aluminum glass facade with RICON® System – "Mensa TUM Garching"

Project: Canteen of the TUM in Garching/Munich (DE)
Method of construction: Post-and-beam facade made of laminated veneer lumber (LVL)
Knapp-Connector: RICON®
Architect: Meck Architekten GmbH, 81667 München, www.meck-architekten.de
Facade and window manufacturer: Rossmanith GmbH & Co. KG, 69124 Heidelberg-Kirchheim (DE), www.rossmanith-hd.de
Builder: Freistaat Bayern, represented by Staatliches Bauamt München 2, D-80539 Munich
Construction year: 2017/2018, finalized in autumn 2018
Address: Mensa Garching, Lichtenbergstr. 2, 85748 Garching
Press article: mikado July 2018 „Speisen mit allen Sinnen“

Wood-aluminum glass facade with RICON® System – Grundschule in Feldkirchen/Munich (D)

Project: Grundschule in Feldkirchen/Munich (D),  www.schule-feldkirchen.de
Knapp-Connector: RICON®
Architect: Krug Grossmann Architekten, www.krug-grossmann.de
Facade manufacturer: Vereinigte Holzbaubetriebe Wilhelm Pfalzer & Hans Vogt GmbH & Co KG, www.vhb-memmingen.de
Structural engineering: Planungsgesellschaft Dittrich GmbH
Construction time: October 2010 to June 2011
Press article: mikado 10/2011
Brochure: Referenzprojekt Grundschule Feldkirchen

“Hamburg-Haus” - Wood-aluminum glass facade with RICON® System

Project: Hamburg-Haus at the Expo 2010 in Shanghai (CN), www.hamburgshanghai.org
Method of construction: Certified post-and-beam facade made of composite lumber
Knapp-Connector: RICON®
Architects:  Arge Hamburg-Haus: Spengler Wiescholek, 22765 Hamburg, www.spengler-wiescholek.de
Dittert & Reumschüssel, 20354 Hamburg, www.dr-architekten.de
General contractor: Shanghai Construction (Group) General Co., Shanghai, China
Pre-dimensioning of the post-and-beam façade: www.menck-fenster.de
Facade and window manufacturer:  Menck-Fenster GmbH, 19073 Wittenförden, www.menck-fenster.de
Press article: Sonderdruck mikado 2/2010
Brochure: Referenzprojekt Hamburg-Haus Shanghai

Wood-aluminum facade with RICON® System – Tannenhag School in Friedrichshafen

Project: Tannenhag School in Friedrichshafen (D), www.tannenhag-schule.de
Knapp-Connector: RICON®
Architect: Hildebrand + Schwarz Architekten GmbH, www.hildebrand-schwarz.de
Timber Company: Bernhardt Holzbau GmbH, www.holzbau-bernhardt.de

“Les Thermes“ in Strassen-Bertrange – Wood-aluminum glass façade with RICON® system

Project: Leisure and swimming center “Les Thermes”, Luxembourg
Knapp-Connector: RICON®
Builder: CNI LES THERMES Strassen-Bertrange, L-8041 Strassen
Planning / Architect: Architektengemeinschaft Les Thermes: Clemes Architecte L-4221 Esch-sur-Alzette, www.clemes.lu
Atelier Witry & Witry L-6471 Echternach, www.witry-witry.lu
Hermann & Valentiny et Associes L-5441 Remerschen, www.hvp.lu
Structural engineering: Communaute des Bureaux d’Etudes Schroeder & Associes, L-1626 Luxembourg
Construction physics / Acoustics: Von Rekowsky & Partner D-69469 Weinheim, www.rekowski.de
Timber constructor: Ochs GmbH
Construction time: February 2006 to January 2009
Building-costs: 28 mio. euros
Effective surface: 10 930 m²
Gross building volume: 60 560 m³
Press article: mikado 9/2009

Wood-aluminum glass facade with RICON® System – Revitalization office and commercial building “Sunyard“ (DE)

Project: “Sunyard” – Office and commercial building, Munich Obergiesing (DE)
Knapp-Connector: RICON®
Builder: Deka Immobilien Investment GmbH, represented by Deka Immobilien GmbH Regionalbüro Süd, 80804 Munich
Architect: ARGE Generalplanung Sunyard Nickl + Partner Architekten AG und Wörlen + Architekten GmbH
m3 Bauprojektmanagement GmbH, Ernsberger Str. 5, 81241 München, https://www.m3-gmbh.de/
Facade manufacturer: Lindner Fassaden GmbH, www.lindner-group.com
Structural engineering: IG Klein
Outdoor facilities: Jocham+Kellhuber
House technic: IB Trieb
Address: “Sunyard“, St. Martin Str. 60, 80639 Munich
Construction time: January 2010 to December 2011
Details: The Sunyard office and commercial building is located in the heart of Obersendling. At around 26,500 square meters, modern office space with variable floor plans will be created, complemented by attractive retail space on the ground floor The inner courtyards will be open to the public A new, diagonal direct connection between Hohenwaldeckstrasse and the S-Bahn station St. Martin-Strasse will make it more attractive for pedestrians and offers immediate access to the ground floor level.In the characteristic rotunda on the corner of St.-Martin-Strasse / Hohenwaldeckstrasse, an open cafe complements the shop.
Press article: Sonderdruck mikado 1-2/2012
Brochure: Referenzprojekt Sunyard

Wood-aluminum glass facade with RICON® System – Dietel Bauelemente GmbH

Project: Dietel Bauelemente GmbH – Exhibition building for windows, doors and stairs
Knapp-Connector: RICON®
Planning: iproplan Planungsgesellschaft mbH / Chemnitz, www.iproplan.de
Architect:  Hans-Jürgen Keinert
Facade manufacturer: Hörmannshofer Fassaden Niederdorf, www.hoermannshofer.de
Structural engineering: BAS Scheibenberg, www.bas-scheibenberg.de
Builder and wood-aluminium facade: Dietel Bauelemente GmbH, www.dietel.de
Address: Dietel Bauelemente GmbH, Annaberger Straße 1, DE 09477 Jöhstadt
Construction time: 2010/11
Method of construction: Reinforced concrete
Building-costs: approx. 1.2 mio. euros
Gross building volume: 600 m² / 2400 m³

FASCO® façade – Schreinerei Jungmann (DE)

Project: Showroom of Schreinerei Jungmann (DE)
Knapp-Connector: FASCO®, RICON® and RICON® S
Planning: Design and development by Tobias Jungmann (in the course of his thesis at Staatliche Holztechniker Schule Rosenheim)
Builder: Rolf Jungmann
Year of construction: 2014/15
Method of construction: Post-beam construction with flat roof
Gross building volume/m²: 50m²
Address: Kaikenrieder Straße 38, 94244 Teisnach, www.schreinerei-jungmann.de
Details: The façade was executed in the FASCO system, thus achieving the largest possible glass surfaces with filigree joints. The wind loads are largely removed over the glass front. Thus, optically disturbing steel cables or similar could be avoided. The corner posts and the attached external venetian blinds were also clad with painted glass surfaces.
Press article: mikado 7/2016

The characteristic values can be found in our interactive load bearing excel table. Further services are a design tool and KNAPP DC-Engineering design software from Dietrich’s. The design for all requirements can be found in our planner service:

Planner service

FASCO®-Profiles | Glued glass elements for modern wood- and metal construction

FASCO® Facade system

Our profiles made of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic meet highest architectural and engineering demands through a statically load-bearing glazing. Large, up to two stories, glass façades can be done without any additional reinforcement.

  • Slim view allows demanding architectural solutions
  • The efficient processing reduces installation time by approx 20 % compared to clamping profiles.
  • No stiffening required – replaced windbracings or steel structures
  • The inner glass pane of the insulating glass takes over the building stiffening
  • Low thermal conductivity by using fiberglass instead of aluminum
  • Scientifically proven performance (2001-2008)
  • Silicone-Weather-Joints allow plane and uniform façade surfaces
  • Applied for construction licensing

Become a partner
Become a partner and profit from the advantages of this innovative glazing system.

UP STRAW - The future lies in straw, glass, and FASCO®

Knapp-Connector: FASCO® Mobic (BE)
Architect : Helium 3 Mme Caroline Broux, HAVRESAC M Denis Delpire
Structural engineering: HOMECO
Builder: MOBIC, www.mobicsa.be
Prime contractor: Groupement d’entreprises momentané M3H, Jeans-Philippe Moutschen
General contractor: Cluster Eco-Construction
Time of construction: 2021
Method of construction: Modular construction entirely prefabricated in the workshop and then assembled on 2 levels around an open and generous glazed space.
Address: 7 Avenue d’Ecolys 5020 NAMUR, Belgique
Gross building volume: 400m²
Budget: 694 000 €
Details: Office building
Video: https://vimeo.com/613528064

FASCO® façade – Schreinerei Jungmann (DE)

Project: Showroom of Schreinerei Jungmann (DE)
Knapp-Connector: FASCO®, RICON® and RICON® S
Planning: Design and development by Tobias Jungmann (in the course of his thesis at Staatliche Holztechniker Schule Rosenheim)
Builder: Rolf Jungmann
Year of construction: 2014/15
Method of construction: Post-beam construction with flat roof
Gross building volume/m²: 50m²
Address: Kaikenrieder Straße 38, 94244 Teisnach, www.schreinerei-jungmann.de
Details: The façade was executed in the FASCO system, thus achieving the largest possible glass surfaces with filigree joints. The wind loads are largely removed over the glass front. Thus, optically disturbing steel cables or similar could be avoided. The corner posts and the attached external venetian blinds were also clad with painted glass surfaces.
Press article: mikado 7/2016

FASCO® wood-aluminum glass façade system – Single-family house in Haselbach

Project: Single-family house in Haselbach
Method of construction: Solid timber construction out of laminated timber walls with supporting fixed glazing
Knapp-Connector: FASCO® façade system
General contractor: Weirer Holzbau GesmbH, 8842 Katsch
Architect: Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn. Karl-Heinz Schwarz, www.architekt-schwarz.com
GLASSOLUTIONS – Eckelt Glas GmbH, www.eckelt.at
Press article: mikado 7/2013

FASCO® façade system – Solar Decathlon 2012 (ESP) – Team Ecolar from Konstanz

Project: Solar Decathlon 2012 (ESP) – Team Ecolar from Konstanz
Knapp-Connector: FASCO® façade system
Details: A modular system for everyone – The design of our ECOLAR house was based on two principles: modularity and flexibility. These leitmotifs run through the whole concept – starting with the construction, to the design of the interior. Therefore, we have developed a simple system: As with a modular system, there are only a few standardized elements from which any number of variants can be designed and subsequently changed or disassembled. In a basic grid of 4.30 m to 4.30 m different Raumkonfi can gurationen for a variety of uses arise. The facades can then be easily inserted into this framework and formed opaque, translucent or transparent as needed. All of these elements are pre-produced as prefabricated components with high dimensional accuracy. Thus, time, money and material can be used efficiently.

FASCO® façade system – “Freie Stadtschule St. Gallen”

Project: Studying area for the Freie Stadtschule St. Gallen (CH)
Knapp-Connector: FASCO® façade system
Architect: Klaiber Partnership AG Cédric Bosshard, www.klaiberag.ch
Timber construction: Blumer Lehmann AG, www.blumer-lehmann.ch
Structural engineering: Borgogno Eggenberger + Partner AG
Construction time: October 2013 to July 2014
Press article: mikado edition 2015