Innovation, ethics, sustainability - these are the most important words we keep in mind as we work. We make customized solutions even from system components, taking maximum account of customer needs.
KAV’s customers come into contact with several of our colleagues in the bidding, preparation and construction processes in the course of a job. These are our sales and estimation colleagues, our technical and manufacturing preparation engineers, our project engineers, and then our installation specialists. It is very rare that the end-user comes into contact with the manufacturing preparation engineers. In this article, we’d like to describe the work of these professionals in connection with the Continental Golf Club construction project.
In recent times, we have shared several recordings depicting the installation process of large glass surfaces as part of KAV's daily operations. To shed light on the distinctions in window installation and preparation when incorporating larger glass sizes into a property compared to standard glass dimensions, we interviewed Mr. Péter Nagy, Senior Engineer, and Mr. Károly Lovász, CEO of KAV.
This year, KAV has once again been honored with the prestigious ALUTA Excellence Prize, the sole recognition for Hungarian aluminum window and facade manufacturers. The ALUTA Excellence Prize in the "small project" category acknowledged the remarkable aluminum window solutions of the Felhő Street Reformed Kindergarten, with its most distinctive feature being the curved curtain wall boasting over 700 unique angles.
The question of when to engage window experts in the design process often arises. In this context, architect and head of the Archista architectural firm, László Kenyeres, shares his experiences. He believes that in today's architectural design process, windows and doors are a critical aspect because they represent one of the most complex parts of a building. Therefore, even those not well-versed in the world of windows may require external assistance to confidently complete an execution plan.
Kenyeres László, a leading architect at the Archista architectural firm, believes that villa buildings can be considered small form factor public buildings. This is why he considers it crucial to consult with window and door specialists multiple times during the design process. This approach helps avoid situations where window and door companies have to "re-design" certain parts of the building during the construction phase.
The "BAU 2023" construction industry trade fair took place in Munich from April 17 to 22, 2023. This exhibition is the largest and most significant construction industry event in Europe, providing guidance every two years on planning and construction technologies, building material production, and installation techniques. KAV Hungária sent eight engineers to Germany to process the valuable information and reconsider their domestic and international sales strategy.
Our colleagues are increasingly encountering residential building plans in which large glass surfaces dominate. These concepts are understandable not only from a design perspective but also because of transparency, connection with the environment, and the continuous influx of light. However, in many cases, they cannot be realized, or they require significantly higher investments and more complex alterations to the plans. In our new series, we explore the topic of the dimensions of glass surfaces with Mr. Károly Lovász, the CEO of KAV, and Mr. Csaba Mravik, the Chief Development Engineer.
MTVA's innovation magazine program, Novum, made a report on the special glass elements and door and window solutions of the 5,000 square meter Költő Kert villa park, a building complex that is also considered special in Europe. Environmental awareness, innovation, organic architectural elements with transparent huge glass surfaces, and a way of thinking in which visual culture also plays a prominent role. One of the biggest challenges in the Költő Kert villa park was the special solutions that the KAV staff had to create at the junction of the raw concrete surface and the glass membrane. Károly Lovász highlighted in the report that KAV's engineers and employees had to solve many challenges during the planning and execution, whether it was thermal technology, sun protection, mechanical engineering, glass railing connections or waterproofing. The result is a simultaneously organic and high-tech building, which is considered exceptional in Hungary not only in its appearance, but also in its innovations.
A house in Révfülöp, for which KAV supplied the windows. Additionally, the construction progress of Zsuzsi's house can be followed by a closed Facebook group. We spoke with the homeowner about the construction process, her choice of professionals, and also touched upon how the construction industry receives a woman taking charge of a construction project, even though one wouldn't think it necessary to dwell on this topic in the 21st century.
The changing economic environment and rising energy prices are also impacting the construction industry. But how might the market for premium segment windows change? According to KAV's CEO, Károly Lovász, the focus will shift towards the issue of shading, and it is crucial for builders to select companies with a stable background and a qualified workforce.
BABA Budapest is not merely a restaurant; it is a space where one can feel at home throughout the day. The main principles of design focused on the seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces and the creation of a genuine sense of community experience. We had the opportunity to discuss the BABA with its lead designer, Dóra Fónagy, while sitting at one of its tables, and during our conversation, we ourselves experienced why it provides a truly unique experience.
The panorama is the soul, and the glass surfaces are one of the main organizing elements of the exceptional villa that the Etna and KAV teams worked on together. We discussed the building's features and the process of realization with Nikos Zizidis, the CEO of Etna Kft., the construction company responsible for the project.
The ALUTA, as the only domestic professional association of aluminum facade builders and window manufacturers in Hungary, organizes annual domestic and international study trips for its members. This year, our foreign trip took us to the Netherlands, a country with nearly 18 million inhabitants. Thanks to excellent organization, we were able to visit a significant number of unique buildings during our journey. Our team focused on exploring the cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, where a unique blend of European and colonial history, art history, and engineering culture unfolded before our eyes.
Organically representing art in architecture and transforming the existence within residential buildings into a real experience. In this spirit, the Poet's Garden project in Buda, which operates with numerous unique solutions not only in its visual appearance but also in its details, was created, and KAV was responsible for the window and door solutions. We had a conversation with Nikos Ziszidis, CEO of ETNA Kft., who executed the final construction of this globally unique architectural complex.
The glass is the soul of the villa designed by architect Péter Koch, the head of Nara Studio. The unique, distinctive building achieves its floating effect through the almost endless glass surfaces, providing the owner with a perfect panoramic view and an unparalleled sense of connection with the environment. We asked the architect about the design process of the building and the collaboration between the various aspects of the project.
In parallel with the advent of the latest aluminium door and window solutions, including filigree case systems and large glass surfaces, façades have also been transformed in the family home market. In addition to functionality, design also plays a key role in more and more buildings. However, architects rarely involve professionals in the process of designing doors, windows and façades. According to Krisztián Vatai, executive director of Facade Design & Building, who is engaged in the design, construction and production of façades, a change of attitude and education is needed to change this.
Huge, transparent surfaces that create almost a direct connection with the surroundings. Architect György Hoffmann believes that in modern architecture, there is no longer a need for walls, as windows and pillars can also fulfill the structural functions. Our conversation also reveals what primarily influences the thinking of architect-designers and what it takes to establish a common language between the client and the designer.
Huge glass structures are definitive elements of modern buildings. It is therefore especially important that architects create the plans while thinking together with sector designers. On the questions arising while designing and constructing glass façades, we spoke with chartered architect György Mihály Stocker, reader in the BUTE and vice-president of ALUTA, who played an outstanding role as specialist consultant in the construction of the Hungarian House of Music in its present form.
Although one of the most modern façade elements is glass, numerous problems can arise during the design process if the glass structures used have not been properly thought through. As to what makes these glass structures special, and why it is important for competent sector designers to deal with these building elements even during planning, we spoke with chartered architect György Mihály Stocker, reader in the BUTE Faculty of Civil Engineering, and vice-president of ALUTA.
