A 3.6 m terracotta panel design release should begin with an elevation decision, not a “world’s longest” claim. The design team must first show where an extra-long unit improves the building grid, how it ends at openings and corners, and which project evidence permits that exact unit and complete assembly to advance.
This page is the architectural gate between a long-panel idea and a frozen elevation package. The separate 3600 mm Panel Qualification Guide owns unit feasibility, repeatable manufacture, logistics, handling, support and test evidence. The Third Production Line Archive owns dated line/capacity verification.
Separate archive evidence from a release document
The 17-second media record shows one light-coloured ribbed unit leaning against a LOPO-branded wall with an overlaid `Length 360cm terracotta panel` label. It does not identify its profile code, width, thickness/section, mass, tolerance, finish, manufacturing site, support zones, test basis, current availability or intended project. It also does not demonstrate installed behaviour.
| Record | What it can establish | What it cannot release |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 archive media | LOPO published imagery labelled 360 cm and an unidentified long ribbed sample. | Current product, exact section/mass, manufacturing reservation, project suitability, assembly or installation. |
| Dated manufacturer statement | Exact product/custom reference, site/line, current feasible dimensions/finish/quantity, trial and programme assumptions. | Building geometry, structural design, interfaces, code acceptance or release to install. |
| Controlled product drawing | Profile/section, dimensions, tolerances, mass, orientation, support zones, edges/specials and revision. | Full elevation distribution, substrate/anchors, movements, water/fire strategy or project load cases. |
| Project assembly package | Elevation, interfaces, load path, support, anchors/substrate, joints, enclosure/fire coordination, calculations/tests and method. | Production slot, final order, batch/finish or site readiness unless those records are also linked. |
| Signed release register | Which exact revision may advance to sample, test, procurement, manufacture or installation, with conditions and approvers. | Any later revision or unresolved deviation; every change needs impact review and recorded disposition. |
Gate 1: prove that the elevation needs a long unit
Compare the extra-long option with a shorter-module baseline. Reducing some horizontal joints may strengthen a vertical reading, but it can also change special pieces, breakage/replacement, support visibility, tolerances, handling and cost. The release record should state the project reason—not assume that longer is automatically better.
Grid fit
Align the proposed length with floor-to-floor, window, mullion, parapet and structural zones. Record whether the nominal module actually lands on buildable supports.
Joint intent
Mark every retained joint and explain its visual role. A longer piece does not create a joint-free facade, and movement/water requirements still govern.
Openings and specials
Identify heads, sills, corners, returns, penetrations and short residual zones. Do not assume field cutting, notching or custom specials are permitted.
Orientation and profile
Freeze vertical/horizontal orientation, rib direction, face/section and finish. The archive sample’s appearance does not define a project unit.
Replacement logic
Show removal path, access, lifting/handling zone and labelled spares. One damaged long unit may affect a larger elevation area and more interfaces.
Zone strategy
Use extra-long units only where their value is visible and coordinated. Standard modules may remain preferable at complex or maintenance-intensive zones.
Gate 2: freeze the elevation before requesting release
Map
Issue dimensioned elevations/sections with every long-panel zone, grid, level, opening, corner, interface and unit orientation.
Schedule
Link each location to exact product/custom code and drawing revision, nominal/actual dimensions, tolerance, mass, finish and quantity.
Detail
Close base/top/side, joints, corners, heads/jambs/sills, transitions, movement, drainage and replacement access.
Coordinate
Overlay structure, subframe/anchors/substrate, membranes, insulation, cavity/fire barriers, glazing, services and temporary works.
Validate
Cross-reference current manufacturer feasibility, calculations, configuration-matched evidence, mock-up/test and approved sample range.
Register
List every open item, owner, due date, dependent document and permitted next stage. No silent “approved with comments.”
No photo-derived dimensions: do not scale the archive unit or the project collage, count grooves to infer width, or assume that visible vertical modules are 3.6 m. Only the controlled project/product drawings and current manufacturer statement may define the unit.
Use project imagery as intent, not length proof
The collage can communicate a target of strong vertical ribs, repeated narrow bays and restrained horizontal breaks. Translate that intent into the project’s own grid and documented evidence. Do not present the image as a tested precedent for span, fixing, fire/water performance, ease of installation, energy use or LOPO’s contractual role.
Gate 3: close system and site dependencies
| Dependency | Release evidence | Responsible review |
|---|---|---|
| Unit and production | Current exact product/custom drawing, trial/first-article plan, finish range, tolerances, quantity, yield/QA, plant/line and dated capacity/programme confirmation. | Manufacturer/supplier, architect and contractor/procurement team. |
| Structure and support | Actions/load path, serviceability, local support zones, unit/connection/subframe/brackets/anchors/substrate, movement, tolerances, fracture/fall risk and temporary states. | Structural/facade engineer and relevant specialists for the exact assembly. |
| Enclosure and fire | Joints, water shedding/drainage, air/thermal layers, membranes/insulation, openings, cavity/fire barriers, material compatibility and replacement interfaces. | Architect, enclosure/fire specialists and facade team under applicable requirements. |
| Qualification | Configuration-matched product/connection/subassembly/full-assembly evidence, mock-up/test scope, acceptance, deviations and approved appearance sample. | Named project reviewers and authorities where applicable. |
| Logistics and installation | Packaging/transport route, storage/support, handling/lifting trial, equipment/access, sequence, weather limits, temporary protection and replacement plan. | Manufacturer, logistics team, contractor/installer, engineer and site safety team. |
| Commercial and records | Final quantity by zone, spares, order/revision, lead time, release dates, inspections/hold points, NCR/change process and handover/as-built fields. | Client, contractor, supplier and design team according to the responsibility matrix. |
This is a gate index, not a repeat of the detailed qualification work. Use Post 9977 for the long-unit evidence pathway and Post 9826 for dated production-line claims. Post 10077 only decides whether the current elevation package has correctly incorporated and referenced their results.
Use stage-specific status—never one blanket “approved”
Hold
A critical identity, geometry, interface, engineering, test, capacity or site dependency is unresolved. No dependent stage advances.
Released for sample or trial
Only the named sample, first article, handling trial or mock-up may proceed under its stated configuration and acceptance criteria.
Released for procurement
The dated quotation/order may advance for the exact item/revision, quantity, finish range, evidence, programme and conditions listed.
Released for manufacture
Design, product, finish, quantities, drawings, QA/hold points, trial/test disposition and change control are frozen for the named batch.
Released for installation
Approved materials, supports/substrates/interfaces, method, equipment/access, site conditions, inspections and temporary protections are ready.
As-built and handed over
Locations, product/batch, revisions, inspections/NCRs, tests, maintenance/access, replacement method and labelled spares are retained.
Every status entry should name the package, exact revision, zone, allowed action, conditions, open items, approver and date. A later design or product change reopens affected checks; an archive article never substitutes for a signed release.
Keep performance and capability claims outside the gate
- `world’s longest`, first, revolutionary, unmatched or new-standard status;
- current 3.6 m availability, arbitrary width/profile/finish, capacity, lead time or suitability for every project;
- inherent durability, low maintenance, environmental resistance, thermal regulation, energy saving or sustainability;
- easy, safe or faster installation, reduced cost, lower risk or better lifecycle outcome; and
- project adoption, architect endorsement, energy improvement or LOPO design/installation/system responsibility without a traceable case record.
Any claim requires the exact current product and assembly, defined method and boundary, applicable project conditions, responsible review and dated evidence. Environmental comparisons additionally need product- and plant-specific documentation plus transport, installation, yield/waste, service, replacement and end-of-life assumptions.
Prepare a release pack for one exact elevation
Share marked elevations and long-panel zones, current product/custom drawing, unit schedule and quantities, finish/sample range, interface details, responsibility matrix, qualification/test references, programme/capacity statement, logistics/site plan, approval statuses and unresolved items. Request a dated next-stage release—not a general capability promise.