TEmotion NG with Water-filled Glass

From BAU 2025 to real‑world application: TEmotion NG with Water-filled Glass enters its first project

WICONA is taking a major step toward the future of sustainable façade technology with the first real‑world installation of its TEmotion NG system with Water-filled Glass at the Homerton Library in London, a building that is part of the UK´s important modernist heritage. Following its successful premiere at BAU 2025, the innovation - developed in collaboration with Water-Filled Glass Ltd - is now making the transition from concept to reality.

A new era of façade performance

TEmotion NG combines WICONA’s advanced aluminium façade engineering with an entirely new type of insulating glazing titled water-filled glass or WFG: a circulating water layer within the glass cavity that actively manages thermal energy. Rather than simply blocking heat, this enables the façade to actively absorb, transport and reuse thermal energy (blocking summer heat before reaching indoors and capture winter heating before escaping), enabling up to 70% energy savings compared with conventional double glazing while significantly improving comfort, acoustics and daylight quality.

Preserving heritage, while upgrading performance

The Homerton Library refurbishment addressed challenges common to many commercial buildings, particularly in the UK. Due to its relatively high glazing ratio, the building suffered from significant overheating during summer and poor thermal performance during winter. To improve efficiency, a heat pump system was installed in the summer of 2025 which improved the conditions during summer but was not able to cope with the heating demand in winter.

Together with Water‑Filled Glass Ltd., Sealtite Group and Dimension Engineering Group, WICONA installed a secondary interior façade that significantly improves building performance without altering the original structure. This minimally invasive retrofit solution preserves the building´s heritage while allowing it to remain fully operational throughout the works. The interior installation approach can reduce replacement costs by up to 30%, as no extensive construction work is required. The façade elements are made from Hydro CIRCAL aluminium alloy with up to 100% end-of-life aluminium. Combined with CO2-reduced glass, seals and insulating bars manufactured from recycled materials, the TEmotion NG with Water-filled Glass solution can reduce CO2-emissions by up to 66 kg per m² of façade.

A step forward for retrofit strategies

With its first implementation now underway, TEmotion NG with Water-filled Glass represents far more than a single project. “It showcases a new approach to façade design, offering performance upgrades from within while supporting decarbonisation goals and preserving existing buildings”, says Niko Knoll, Team Leader Façade Designers at WICONA.