Located just 300 m from the South China Sea, the Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Haitang Bay is exposed to exceptional environmental conditions: up to 95% relative humidity, salt-laden aerosols, intense UV radiation and recurring typhoons with extreme pressure and suction loads.
To ensure the long-term performance of the more than 12,000 m² glass façade, the planners opted for the Ködispace 4SG warm edge system.
H.B. Fuller Kömmerling
What does the TPS edge seal of the insulating glass units deliver?
The Ködispace 4SG system is based on thermoplastic spacer (TPS) technology. A reactive, viscoelastic spacer is applied directly to the glass edge using an extrusion process.
Chemical bonding to the glass surface creates a continuous, material-bonded edge seal that is completely free of metallic components. This design minimizes thermal bridges, delivers a sustained improvement in U-values and, thanks to reduced convection, prevents edge-zone condensation and mold growth.
Curved glass by NorthGlass
The 207 warm-bent insulating glass units used in the project, with dimensions of up to 5 × 1.8 m and radii down to 80 m, demonstrate the system’s high degree of geometric flexibility. NorthGlass manufactured the elements using a precise process in which the glass was thermally prestressed and then assembled into insulating glass units together with Ködispace 4SG. The slim, low-reflection edge seal supports the building’s elegant, organic architectural language and enables large, continuous glazed areas without visually disruptive metal spacers.
Under tropical conditions, the decisive added value of the system becomes evident, as emphasized by the sealant manufacturer: the flexible TPS layer compensates for temperature- and wind-induced movements of the panes without forming brittle fracture zones. Even after tens of thousands of load cycles, gas and water vapor transmission rates remain stable. As a result, the triple insulating glass retains its thermal performance, reducing the energy demand for air conditioning.
Measurements taken after Super Typhoon Yagi in 2024 confirmed zero gas loss and no moisture ingress – clear evidence of the façade’s structural integrity.
Redundant sealing system
The combination of Ködispace 4SG with an additional highly durable silicone secondary seal creates a redundant sealing system that maintains functionality even if one barrier fails.
In the long term, operators benefit from low maintenance costs and minimized downtime. At the same time, the warm edge system, with its low psi value, contributes to compliance with demanding energy and sustainability standards such as GB 50189 and international green building labels.
With its successful implementation in Hainan, the Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex sets a new benchmark for the symbiosis of iconic architecture and sustainable façade technology. Ködispace 4SG demonstrates that modern TPS edge-seal systems can guarantee decades of performance even under maximum climatic stress – a decisive argument for future projects in maritime and tropical regions.
