How NEXNOVO worked with Zaha Hadid Architects to build one of the largest Glass LED facade ever made.
In Chengdu, China, this futuristic museum designed by Zaha Hadid Architects already looks like something out of science fiction. In facade industry, this project represents a milestone empowered by NEXNOVO’s Glass LED technology. Today, I’ll walk you through how we made it happen.
Challenge 1: A giant glass facade
Imagine a curtain facade that stretches 13 meters high and 39 meters wide—covering 500㎡. Some glass panels are as large as a living room: 3.2 by 2.4 meters. To keep the design seamless and minimal, Zaha’s team wanted the entire facade supported by steel cables instead of bulky frames. Amazing idea—but cables tend to bend under wind pressure, and that makes stability a real challenge, especially with LEDs in-between glass layers.
The NEXNOVO team went through countless simulations to crack the code. As solution, we hide the cables between glass units, covered up the LED control system, and still keep everything strong and safe. From the outside, all you see is a sleek, elegant and eye-catching glass curtain wall—but behind it is a smart structure balancing design and strength.
Challenge 2: The bulletproof glass effect
Each huge glass unit had to use SGP film, the same material found in bulletproof glass and Apple Store façades. It’s super strong, but tough on LEDs. The lamination process blasts the glass at 150°C heat and 1.5MPa pressure—conditions that usually destroy LED lamps.
To make it work, NEXNOVO redesigned the LEDs with special housings that can withstand both heat and pressure. This hidden innovation made the production process much more reliable. This breakthrough is based on in-depth understanding of the technologies across the entire supply chain, and close collaboration with suppliers.
NEXNOVO appreciates partnering with visionary architects. Projects like this prove that when creative design meets smart engineering, the results can be outstanding. And this Glass LED facade in Chengdu is living proof.
