March 31, 2010
Curtain wall concepts have become increasingly popular in modern multi-storey structures where the design calls for an external glass envelope for aesthetic or environmental reasons. The unique frame-within-a-frame design allows designers to easily integrate value-added features such as heated glass, photo - reactive glass or solar panels, increasing its environmental appeal.
Muridal Inc. came to market in 2004 with an innovative design to pre-manufacture superior quality wall panel elements in the factory that could be assembled quickly and efficiently on site; saving time and costs for contractors and building owners. It has expanded to offer entrance doors, windows, skylights and greenhouses constructed using the same innovative assembly and design techniques.
In its short history, Muridal has grown to triple its size and has reached revenues in the $10s of millions. The company has filed two patents covering its inventions and is an established leader in curtain wall technology.
Muridal has demonstrated the quality of its products in harsh environments and has undertaken high profile projects where aesthetics and/or rapid construction are paramount. They erected the largest greenhouse ever built in North America at the Quebec City Zoo in 2002. The five storey envelope is designed to isolate an internal tropical climate from Quebec's fierce winters over an area the size of a football field.
Muridal scored another major success in 2007, being selected by developers to help transform Montreal's old Gazette building into a Westin Hotel with a new 22-storey tower. Currently, Muridal is actively pursuing assignments in United Arab Emirates, New York, Russia and across Canada (Alberta, Ontario and Quebec).
"Each project has a different focus," explains Marc Bertrand, Vice President of Muridal. "Our Russian prospects are interested in our cold-climate experience; New York prospects are interested in lowering labour costs; the Emirates are interested in leading edge design. As a company we are now in a position to meet all these requirements."
The Muridal story began with a 20-year-old manufacturer and installer of traditional curtain wall products exploring alternative greenhouse structures with a partner company. André Courtemanche – an expert in aluminum-constructed floating harbor technology – realized the possibilities for superior curtain wall systems. He acquired the assets of both companies and formed Muridal.
His ambitions to reinvent the curtain wall led him to the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). His NRC-IRAP industrial technology advisor (ITA) quickly recognized the opportunity, and the match with NRC, and approved resources to help support the company's development.
