curtain wall

noun

1. (in a framed building) an exterior wall having no structural function.

curtain wall

noun

1. a non-load-bearing external wall attached to a framed structure, often one that is prefabricated
2. a low wall outside the outer wall of a castle, serving as a first line of defence

Word History and Origins

Origin of curtain wall¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

“The building, 728 feet long, 282 feet wide, six stories high, presents an impassive façade to the world with its rather bland curtain wall of glass and aluminum.”

From Washington Times

“The building, 728 feet long, 282 feet wide, six stories high, presents an impassive façade to the world with its rather bland curtain wall of glass and aluminum.”

From Seattle Times

Guided by Dubai’s hot, sunny and windy desert climate, the architects designed a tiered façade that prevents wind vortices from forming, a curved curtain wall that reflects direct sunlight, and an innovative “sky-sourced” ventilation system that distributes cooler, dryer air to reduce air-conditioning usage.

From National Geographic

The centerpiece of Shigematsu’s design is a new three-story gallery building, sheathed in a glass curtain wall.

From New York Times

The type of bulletproof glass needed to resist a high-powered rifle is not the same stuff you see at a liquor store: It costs upwards of $10,000 a pane, and it can run up to three inches thick, which would mean adapting the building’s mullions and adding thousands of pounds of new weight to the curtain wall.

From Slate