Patent Publication Number: US-2023160215-A1

Title: Facade module and associated building facade

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2021/058707 filed Apr. 1, 2021, which designated the U.S. and claims priority to FR 2003374 filed Apr. 3, 2020, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a facade module for separating an interior from an exterior of a building volume, comprising:
         a partition plate, comprising an inner face and an outer face, the partition plate comprising an inner glazed layer forming the inner face, and   a partition plate fastening element suitable for fastening the partition plate to a building structure.       

     The invention applies to facade modules intended for separating an interior from an exterior of a building volume. The invention applies more particularly to facade modules intended for separating the interior from the exterior of a building. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Large buildings require light and aesthetically pleasing facades for separating the interior of the building from the exterior of the building. 
     For this purpose, it is known how to use facades called curtain facades or curtain walls. Such facades include a plurality of facade modules fastened to a structure of the building. 
     The facade modules include a partition plate fastened to the building structure by means of a retaining element. The partition plate comprises e.g. a glazed layer with a large surface area, generally greater than 1 m 2 , which separates the interior from the exterior of the building. 
     Such facade modules, in particular, due to the use of a partition plate with a glazed layer with a large surface area, can be used for obtaining a light and aesthetically pleasing facade. 
     However, such facade modules are not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, the use of partition plates wherein a glazed layer, does not give great freedom with regard to the final aesthetics of the facade, facades comprising such facade modules all having a similar appearance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A goal of the invention is to propose a facade module offering an wider choice of aesthetically pleasing appearances for a facade. 
     To this end, the subject matter of the invention is a facade module as mentioned above, comprising a stone layer forming the outer face of the partition plate and/or extending over the inner glazed layer. 
     A partition plate comprising a stone layer forming the outer face of the partition plate is particularly advantageous since same can be used for forming facades with various, aesthetically pleasing appearances. Such a partition plate also makes it possible to use the stone as a covering and not as a structural element, thus reducing the cost and the weight of a facade formed from such a facade module. 
     According to other optional aspects of the invention, the facade module includes one or a plurality of the following features, taken individually or according to all technically possible combinations:
         the stone layer consists of a group of pieces of stone, the group of pieces of stone comprising a plurality of pieces of stone and a binding agent, the binding agent connecting the pieces of stone together;   the stone layer includes between one and ten pieces of stone, each piece of stone being a slice of stone with a thickness of between 3 mm and 12 mm;   the pieces of stone of the group of pieces of stone consist of at least one opaque ornamental stone, preferentially selected from the list consisting of: marble, granite, quartz, limestone;   the surface area of the partition plate is greater than 1 m 2 ;   the partition plate comprises a bonding agent bonding the inner glazed layer and the stone layer;   the partition plate comprises an intermediate glazed layer, the intermediate glazed layer extending between the inner glazed layer and the stone layer, the partition plate comprising a bonding agent bonding the intermediate glazed layer and the stone layer; and   the fastening element comprises:
           a base, intended to be rigidly attached to the building structure;   a cramp iron; and   a locking means, connecting the base to the cramp iron and suitable for moving the cramp iron between a free position and a locking position, wherein the cramp iron presses the inner glazed layer against the base, the fastening element being suitable for holding the partition plate on the building structure when the cramp iron is in the locking position.   
               

     The invention further relates to a building facade comprising at least one facade module as described above and a building structure, the fastening element fastening the partition plate to the building structure. 
     According to an optional aspect of the aforementioned building facade, the facade module comprises at least two partition plates fastened to the building structure by a single fastening element, the fastening element extending between the two partition plates. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given only as an example, but not limited to, and making reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a partition plate of a facade module according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a sectional view along a section plane A-A′ shown in  FIG.  1    of a building facade comprising the partition plate shown in  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  3    is a view similar to the view shown in  FIG.  2    of a partition plate according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, a direct orthonormal base (X, Y, Z) is considered. 
     The elevation direction Z is defined along the height of the facade module and corresponds e.g. to the vertical direction of a building. The through direction X corresponds to the inside-outside direction with respect to the building volume, the direction X being substantially perpendicular to the plane wherein the facade extends. The lateral direction Y corresponds to the direction along which the facade extends perpendicular to the elevation direction Z. 
     A person skilled in the art will understand from reading the present document that the Z direction and the Y direction can be switched, so that the Z direction corresponds to the lateral direction and the Y direction corresponds to the elevation direction. 
     A person skilled in the art will also understand that the axes of the direct orthonormal base (X, Y, Z) are oriented in any direction, the direction Z defining the height of the facade module which is e.g. at an angle with respect to the vertical direction of the building. In a particular embodiment, the axis Z is e.g. perpendicular to the vertical direction of the building. 
     With reference to  FIG.  2   , a building  10  includes at least one facade  12 . The building  10  is e.g. a residential building or an office building. 
     The facade  12  is intended for separating at least partially, an interior  14  from an exterior  16  of a building volume  17 . The building volume  17  is e.g. one room or rooms of the building  10 , the interior  14  then being the inside of the room or rooms and the exterior  16  then being the outside of the room or rooms. The exterior  16  is preferentially the exterior of the building  10 . 
     The facade  12  comprises at least one facade module  18  and a building structure  20 . 
     The building structure  20  comprises e.g. a set of beams  22  extending along the elevation direction Z and along the transverse direction Y. The building structure  20  is e.g. anchored to a foundation (not shown) of the building  10 . 
     Every beam  22  is e.g. an extruded aluminum profile or any other building material. 
     According to an embodiment (not shown), the building structure comprises at least one articulation element, the beams  22  of the building structure being mobile around the articulation element or elements. The beams  22  are e.g. configured to be able to rotate about an axis parallel to the elevation direction Z or to the lateral direction Y over an angle comprised between 0° and 90°, preferentially between 0° and 45° with respect to the plane Y, Z. 
     The facade module  18  is rigidly attached to the building structure  20  and in particular to the beams  22 . 
     The facade module  18  is intended for separating part of the interior  14  from the exterior  16  of the building volume  17 . 
     The facade module  18  comprises at least one partition plate  24  and a fastening element  26  for the partition plate  24 . In the variant shown in  FIG.  2   , the front module  18  comprises two partition plates  24  and a fastening element  26 . 
     The facade module  18  comprises e.g. a main seal  27 . 
     The partition plate  24  is rigidly attached to at least one fastening element  26  and advantageously to two fastening elements  26  extending on either side of the partition plate  24 . 
     According to the variant shown in  FIG.  1   , the partition plate  24  is substantially rectangular and extends in the plane Y-Z. The surface area of the partition plate  24 , taken in the Y-Z plane, is preferentially greater than 1.00 m 2 . The height of the partition plate  24 , taken along the elevation direction Z, is e.g. between 1 m and 10 m, preferentially between 2 m and 6 m. The width of the partition plate  24 , taken along the lateral direction Y, is e.g. between 0.5 m and 3 m, preferentially between 1 m and 2 m. As a variant, the partition plate  24  has any shape. The length then corresponds to the highest dimension of the partition plate  24  and the width then corresponds to the smallest dimension of the partition plate  24  taken perpendicularly to the through direction X. 
     The partition plate  24  comprises an inner face  28 , intended for extending opposite the interior  14 , and an outer face  30 , intended for extending opposite the exterior  16 , the inner face  28  being opposite the outer face  30  in the through direction X. 
     The partition plate  24  comprises an inner glazed layer  32 , an insulation layer  34  and a stone layer  38 . In the embodiment described thereafter, the partition plate further comprises an intermediate glazed layer  36 . In such embodiment, the inner glazed layer  32 , the insulation layer  34 , the intermediate glazed layer  36  and the stone layer  38  extend between the inner face  28  and the outer face  30  and are each preferentially of the same width along the lateral direction Y and of the same height along the elevation direction Z as the partition plate  24 . 
     The partition plate  24  advantageously comprises a bonding agent  39 . The bonding agent is e.g. a glue or a resin. 
     With reference to  FIG.  2   , the inner glazed layer  32  forms the inner face  28 . The inner glazed layer  32  is e.g. formed by a monolithic glass panel. In a variant (not shown), the inner glazed layer consists of a plurality of monolithic glass panels stacked along the through-flow direction X and separated e.g. by polymer layers, so as to form an inner glazed layer of laminated glass. 
     The insulating layer  34  extends between the inner glazed layer  32  and the intermediate glazed layer  36 . The insulating layer  34  comprises a spacer  40  connecting the inner glazed layer  32  and the intermediate glazed layer  36 , the spacer  40  extending substantially at the periphery of the insulating layer  34 . 
     The spacer  40  forms, together with the inner glazed layer  32  and the intermediate glazed layer  36 , an insulated insulation volume  42  (not shown) extending between the inner glazed layer  32 , the intermediate glazed layer  36  and a contour formed by the spacer  40 . 
     The insulation volume  42  comprises e.g. an air gap or a noble gas such as argon, krypton or xenon. 
     The intermediate glazed layer  36  consists e.g. of a monolithic glass panel. In a variant (not shown), the intermediate glazed layer  36  consists of a plurality of monolithic glass panels stacked along the through direction X and separated e.g. by polymer layers, so as to form an intermediate glazed layer  36  of laminated glass. 
     The inner glazed layer  32  and the intermediate glazed layer  36  are rigidly attached and are fastened to each other by means of the spacer  40 . 
     The stone layer  38  extends over the intermediate glazed layer  36 , on the side opposite the insulation layer  34 . 
     The stone layer  38  forms the outer face  30  of the partition plate. 
     In the preferred variant shown in  FIG.  2   , the stone layer forms the outer face  30  of the partition plate  24  and extends over the intermediate glazed layer  36 . 
     In a variant which is not illustrated, the stone layer  38  does not form the outer face  30  of the partition plate  24  and extends over the inner glazed layer  32 , in particular over the face of the inner glazed layer  32  opposite the inner face  28 . In particular, the stone layer  38  then extends between the inner glazed layer  32  and the intermediate glazed layer  36 . 
     The thickness of the stone layer  38 , taken in the through direction X, is e.g. between 3 mm and 12 mm, and preferentially between 3 mm and 5 mm. 
     The stone layer  38  is e.g. fastened to the intermediate glazed layer  36  by the bonding agent  39 . 
     Examples of bonding agent  39  include the usual thermoplastic materials for the formation of laminates such as PVB (polyvinyl butyral), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), PU (polyurethane), ionomers, cycloolefin polymers or equivalent materials. Such materials are applied in the form of thermoplastic interlayer sheets which, following a lamination process, can be used for the bonding of the stone layer  38  to the intermediate glazed layer  36 . The lamination process comprises, among other methods, the application of a pressure comprised between 1 and 13 bar and the heating to a temperature between 100° C. and 170° C., the temperature typically depending on the type of thermoplastic material. The type of lamination process is typically known to a person skilled in the art, and is not the subject matter of the present invention. 
     The stone layer  38  preferentially consists of a group of pieces of stone  43 . The group of pieces of stone  43  forming the stone layer comprises a plurality of pieces of stone  44  and a binding agent  46  connecting the pieces of stone  44  to each other. 
     The stone layer includes e.g. between one and ten pieces of stone, and preferentially between one and six pieces of stone. 
     The binding agent  46  is e.g. an adhesive or a resin. The binding agent  46  bonds e.g. the pieces of stone  44  together. The binding agent  46  is e.g. the bonding agent  39  and then bonds the pieces of stone  44  to the intermediate glazed layer  36 , and bonds same therebetween. 
     Every piece of stone  44  is e.g. a slice of stone with a thickness comprised between 2 mm and 12 mm, and preferentially between 3 mm and 5 mm. All the pieces of stone  44  of the stone layer  38  have e.g. the same thickness, so that the thickness of every piece of stone  44  is equal to the thickness of stone layer  38 . 
     Every piece of stone  44  is e.g. a slice of stone with a dimension of at least 30 cm on the side thereof. In certain configurations, pieces of stone can have a side dimension of at least 85 cm, or of at least 1.25 m, or of at least 1.55 m, or of at least 2.05 m, depending on the material considered. The pieces of stone have a side dimension up to 3.55 m and of at most 6.05 m. 
     The pieces of stone  44  consist of an opaque stone. As a variant, the pieces of stone  44  consist of a translucent stone. 
     The pieces of stone  44  consist e.g. of a stone chosen from the list comprising: marble, granite, quartz, limestone. The pieces of stone  44  consist e.g. of a stone chosen from any type of ornamental stone. 
     The pieces of stone  44  consist in particular of limestone called “Saint Clair”, granite called “Bethel white”, granite called “Noir Saint Henry”, limestone called “Branco do mar”, limestone called “Pierre de Lens” or marble called “Estremoz”. 
     The pieces of stone  44  are chosen according to technical features or to the desired appearance for the facade  12 . 
     All the pieces of stone  44  of the stone layer preferentially come from the same stone. In particular, the pieces of stone  44  are arranged in the stone layer  38  so as to minimize the visual discontinuities between each of the pieces of stone  44 . Thus, two adjacent pieces of stone  44  of the stone layer  38  have similar patterns, particularly near the interface between the two adjacent pieces of stone  44 . A stone pattern e.g. refers to the arrangement of veins in the stone, the veins of a piece of stone  44  being e.g. arranged so as to be in the continuity of the veins of a piece of stone  44  adjacent thereof. 
     Alternatively, the pieces of stone  44  of the stone layer come from different stones. Such variant has the advantage of providing varied decorations, depending on the types of stone used, with a surface either homogeneous or with patterns, like in marquetry. 
     The pieces of stone  44  have a density advantageously comprised between 2000 and 3000 kg/m 3 . 
     The pieces of stone  44  are suitable for withstanding an external environment. The pieces of stone  44  have e.g. a low sensitivity to frost. 
     The fastening element  26  comprises a base  48 , a cramp iron  50  and a locking means  52 . The fastening element preferentially comprises a plurality of cramp irons  50  and of locking means  52 . 
     The fastening element  26  is suitable for fastening the at least one partition plate  24  of the facade module  18  to the structure of the building  20 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG.  2   , the same fastening element  26  is suitable for fastening two partition plates  24  to the structure of the building  20 , the fastening element extending between the two partition plates  24 . 
     The base  48  preferentially comprises an elongated section  54  and at least one inner seal  56 . In the variant shown in  FIG.  2   , the base comprises two inner seals  56 . 
     The base  48  is preferentially anchored to the building structure  20 . 
     The elongated section  54  is e.g. elongated along a length oriented along the elevation direction Z or along the lateral direction Y. The elongated section is e.g. an extruded section of aluminum. According to a particular variant, the elongated section  54  is connected to the beam  22  so that the elongated section  54  and the beam  22  form a one-piece assembly. 
     The elongated section  54  comprises at least one insertion portion  58  of the locking means  52 . In the example shown  FIG.  2   , the insertion portion  58  of the locking means  52  is a tapped hole. 
     Every inner seal  56  extends between the inner face  28  of the partition plate  24  and the elongated section  54 . Every inner seal  56  is preferentially pressed between the inner face  28  and the elongated section  54 . Every inner seal  56  preferentially extends along the entire length of the elongated section  54 . 
     The cramp iron  50  preferentially comprises a tightening bar  60  and an intermediate seal  62 . In the variant shown in  FIG.  2   , the cramp iron  50  comprises 2 intermediate seals. 
     The cramp iron  50  can move between a free position and a locking position. 
     In the locking position, the cramp iron  50  is suitable for pressing the inner glazed layer  28  against the base  48 . In the locking position thereof, the cramp iron  50  is in particular suitable for holding the partition plate  24  onto the building structure  20 . In the locking position thereof, the cramp iron  50  is in particular suitable for tightening the inner seal  56  and the intermediate seal  62  on either side of the inner glazed layer  32 . 
     In the variant shown in  FIG.  2   , in the locking position thereof, the cramp iron  50  is in particular suitable for simultaneously pressing the inner glazed layer  28  of two partition plates  24  against the base  48  and for holding two partition plates  24  onto the building structure  20 . 
     In the free position thereof, the cramp iron  50  is in particular suitable for being apt to move independently of the base  48 . 
     The cramp iron  50  includes a portion for letting through the locking means  52 , suitable for receiving the locking means  52 . 
     The locking means  52  connects the base  48  to the cramp iron  50 . The locking means  52  is suitable for moving the cramp iron  50  between the free position and the locking position. 
     The locking means  52  is suitable for holding the cramp iron  50  in the locking position and thus holding the partition plate  24  onto the building structure  20 . 
     The cramp iron  50  is e.g. moved between the free position thereof and the locking position thereof by moving the tightening bar  60  with respect to the base  48 . In particular, the cramp iron  50  is moved from the free position to the locking position thereof by moving the tightening bar  60  toward the base  48  and the cramp iron  50  is moved from the locking position thereof to the free position thereof by moving the tightening bar  60  away from the base  48 . 
     In a particular variant, the tightening bar  60  is elongated along an elongation direction and is movable in rotation about an elongation axis of the locking means  52 . The elongation direction of the tightening bar  60  preferentially extends parallel to an edge of the partition plate  24  when the cramp iron  50  is in the free position thereof. The direction of elongation of the tightening bar  60  extends e.g. into the space formed between two adjacent partition plates  24  when the cramp iron is in the free position thereof. The tightening bar  60  preferentially extends perpendicularly to an edge of the partition plate  24  when the cramp iron  50  is in the locking position thereof, so that the partition plate can be arranged in an installed position before the cramp iron is fitted in the locking position thereof. The tightening bar  60  extends e.g. at least partially between the inner glazed layer  32  and the intermediate glazed layer  36  of at least one partition plate  24  when the cramp iron is in the locking position thereof. 
     In such particular variant, the cramp iron  50  is e.g. moved between the free position thereof and the locking position thereof by rotating the tightening bar  60 , e.g. by a quarter of a turn, with respect to the base  48 , combined with a movement of the tightening bar  60  either toward or away from the base  48 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the main seal  27  extends e.g. when the cramp iron  50  is in the locking position, between the stone layer  38  of two partition plates  24 . The main seal extends e.g. away from the locking means  52  or, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   , is in contact with the locking means  52 . 
     The main seal  27  is in particular suitable for insulating the base  48 , the cramp iron  50  and the locking means  52  from the exterior  16 . 
     The mounting of a facade module  18  according to the invention will now be described. 
     An inner glazed layer  32 , an insulation layer  34  and an intermediate glazed layer  36  are provided for forming an assembly such as a double glazing plate. 
     A set of pieces of stone  44  are provided after having selected the appearance thereof. The purpose of selecting the pieces of stone  44  is e.g. to ensure the homogeneity of the selected pieces of stone  44  and/or to achieve a desired appearance of the set of the pieces of stone  44 . 
     The pieces of stone  44  are e.g. cut in order to obtain pieces of stone  44  the dimensions of which are suitable for the formation of the stone layer  38 . 
     The pieces of stone  44  are subsequently arranged and the relative position thereof is referenced in order to obtain a harmonious arrangement of the pieces of stone  44 . The pieces of stone  44  are preferentially selected and arranged so as to minimize the interfaces between the pieces of stone  44 . 
     Every piece of stone  44  is subsequently rigidly attached to the intermediate glazed layer  36  by means of the bonding agent  39 , e.g. following the application of the bonding agent  39  to the piece of stone  44  and/or to the intermediate glazed layer  36 , thus forming the partition plate  24 . The pieces of stone  44  are in particular bonded to the intermediate glazed layer  36  depending on the relative position thereof as previously referenced. The pieces of stone  44  can be bonded to the intermediate glazed layer  36  via the bonding agent  39  by a lamination process. 
     When the pieces of stone  44  are rigidly attached to the intermediate glazed layer  36 , the bonding agent  39  fills the interface between the pieces of stone  44 . The binding agent  46  consists then of the bonding agent  39 . Since the pieces of stone  44  are chosen so as to minimize the interfaces between the pieces of stone  44 , the interfaces are advantageously not visible to a user observing the facade module  18  as a whole. 
     The fastening elements  26  are subsequently, beforehand or simultaneously rigidly attached to the building structure  20 . 
     The partition plate  24  thus formed is subsequently rigidly attached to the fastening element  26  and preferentially to two fastening elements  26 , each of the fastening elements  26  being mounted on the building structure  20 . 
     The locking means  52  of every fastening element e.g. is then activated. When the locking means  52  is activated, the locking means moves the cramp iron  50  from the free position to the locking position so that the cramp iron  50  presses the inner glazed layer  32  against the base  48 . The locking means  52  tightens the inner glazed layer  32  of one or two different partition plates  24  so as to fasten one or two partition plates  24  to the building structure  20 . 
     As a variant, the partition plate  24  is rigidly attached to the fastening element  26  before the fastening element is fastened to the building structure  20 . 
     In the variant where two partition plates  24  are fastened to the building structure  20  by a single fastening element  26 , the main seal  27  is, following the fastening of the two partition plates  24  onto the building structure  20 , inserted between the two partition plates  24 , the main seal being e.g. glued between the partition plates  24 . 
     The facade module  18  as described above is particularly advantageous since same provides a wider choice of aesthetically pleasing facades  12 , by making it possible in particular to produce stone facades suitable for forming so-called “curtain wall” facades. 
     The use of a group of pieces of stone  43  is particularly advantageous since same makes it possible to produce a large stone layer  38 , particularly aesthetically pleasing, suitable for a rapid assembly on a light structure. The group of pieces of stone  43  can indeed be installed on a light structure as easily as a standard glass panel. Such a group of pieces of stone  43  is also particularly advantageous for improving the aesthetically pleasing appearance by limiting visible partition lines and, moreover, by limiting damage due to corrosion of the systems of seals. 
     The proposed solution makes it possible to integrate a stone facade similar to a glass facade, without distinction of fastening system. This approach makes it possible to install and mount a facade with homogeneous appearance between the transparent glazed components and the stone components, without visible demarcation of the contact interfaces and of the fastening systems between said components. Such method can be used to mount a stone facade onto a structural facade. 
     Moreover, the use of a group of pieces of stone  43  is particularly economical since same makes it possible to make stone facades  12  without having to resort to rare, expensive, heavy and difficult to handle solid stone blocks. 
     Moreover, the group of pieces of stone  43  also makes it possible to use scrap stone, which is particularly economical. 
     The dimensions of the stone layer optimize the weight in order to improve the robustness of the facade module without compromising the aesthetically pleasing appearance thereof. 
     The type of stone chosen provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance along with a high robustness of the facade module. 
     A plate  24  with a large surface area is advantageous since same provides a reduced number of points of attachment to the building, simplifying the structure of a facade comprising such plate, while having a particularly advantageous aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     The presence of the insulation layer  34  provides high insulation for the facade  12 . 
     The insulating layer  34  further advantageously allows the cramp iron  50  to be fastened. 
     According to a first alternative embodiment (not shown), the facade module  18  differs from the embodiment previously presented solely by the following. Similar elements have the same references. 
     According to a first variant of such alternative embodiment, the fastening element  26  is an adhesive connecting the base  48  to the inner glazed layer  32 . The facade  12  is then e.g. a structurally bonded glazing (Vitrage Extérieur Collé in French). 
     According to a second variant of said alternative embodiment, the fastening element  26  includes an outer tightening element extending over an edge of the outer face  30  of the facade module  18  and an inner tightening element, extending over an edge of the inner face  28  of the facade module  18 . The facade module  18  is then pressed between the inner tightening element and the outer tightening element. The facade  12  is then e.g. a facade structurally beaded facade (Vitrage Extérieur Parclosé in French) 
     According to a second alternative embodiment (not shown) and independent of the first alternative embodiment and apt to be combined with the latter, the partition plate comprises a plurality of intermediate glazed layers  36  and a plurality of insulation layers  34 , the stone layer  38  extending over the intermediate glazed layer closest to the exterior  16 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the fastening element  26  is preferentially suitable for fastening the partition plate to the building structure  20  by exclusively maintaining the inner glazed layer  32 . 
     In particular, when the cramp iron  50  is in the locking position thereof, the cramp iron  50  directly presses the inner glazed layer  32  against the base  48 . The cramp iron  50  is then e.g. at least partially arranged between the inner glazed layer  32  and the intermediate glazed layer  36 . Such arrangement of glazed sheets  32 ,  36  can be used for installing a multiple glazing system, which improves the thermal properties of the facade module and which, moreover, has a particularly satisfactory aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     In the variant according in which the facade module  18  comprises at least two partition plates  24  fastened to the building structure  20  by a single fastening element  26 , the cramp iron  50  is e.g. arranged between the inner glazed layers  32  and the intermediate glazed layers  36  of the at least two partition plates  24 . As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the cramp iron  50  extends between the spacers  40  of the at least two partition plates. 
     The spacers  40  extending to the periphery of the insulating layer  34  are set back from the peripheral edges of the inner glazed layer  32  and/or of the intermediate glazed layer  36 . The spacers  40  delimit the insulation volume  40  and a peripheral space of the partition plate  24 , intended for receiving the cramp iron  50 . In the example shown in  FIG.  2   , the cramp iron  50  extends into the peripheral space of the two partition plates  24  fastened by the fastening element  26 . 
     The whole fastening element  26  and the whole inner glazed layer  32  preferentially extend on the same side of the stone layer  38 . The aesthetically pleasing appearance of the facade module  18 , seen from the side of the stone layer  38  opposite the side of the stone layer from which the fastening element  26  extends, is particularly advantageous, the stone layer  38  not being covered by any portion of the fastening element  26 . 
     According to a third alternative embodiment shown in  FIG.  3   , compatible with the embodiment shown in  FIG.  2   , the facade module  18  differs from the embodiment previously presented solely in the following. Similar elements have the same references. 
     The partition plate  24  comprises a receiving profile  70  and an outer seal  72 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the receiving profile  70  extends between the inner glazed layer  32  and the intermediate glazed layer  36 . 
     The receiving profile  70  is e.g. made of aluminum. 
     The receiving profile  70  is e.g. a profile having a U-shaped cross-section The receiving profile  70  forms a cavity open toward the edge of the partition plate  24 . The tightening bar  60  is e.g. at least partially inserted into the cavity formed by the receiving profile  70  so as to extend at least partially into the cavity formed by the receiving profile  70  when the cramp iron  50  is in the locking position. 
     The intermediate seal  62  extends between the receiving profile  70  and the inner glazed layer  32  and is preferentially squeezed between the receiving profile  70  and the inner glazed layer  32  when the cramp iron  50  is in the locking position thereof. 
     The outer seal  72  extends between the inner glazed layer  32  and the intermediate glazed layer  36 . 
     The outer seal  72  extends between the receiving profile  70  and the intermediate glazed layer  36 . The outer seal  72  preferentially connects the receiving profile  70  and the intermediate glazed layer  36 . 
     The outer seal  72  extends e.g. between the receiving profile  70  and the spacer  40 . The outer seal  72  connects e.g. the receiving profile  70  and the spacer  40 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the outer seal  72  has e.g. the shape of a profile seal with an L-shaped cross-section, one branch of the L extending between the receiving profile  70  and the intermediate glazed layer  36  and the other branch of the L extending between the receiving profile  70  and the spacer  40 . 
     In a particular embodiment (not shown), the outer seal  72  is integral with the intermediate seal  62 . The outer seal  72  and the intermediate seal  62  then together form a U-shaped assembly, defining e.g. a cavity wherein the receiving profile  70  is arranged. 
     Such embodiment can be used for a better distribution of the tightening load of the cramp iron  50  over the inner glazed layer  32 , improving the robustness of the facade module  18 .