Architectural Products Update

 
Light-Transmitting Concrete

Invented by Hungarian architect Áron Losonczi, Litracon™ combines concrete with optical fibers to produce a versatile building material that transmits light. The prefabricated building blocks and panels consist of 96% concrete and 4% optical glass fibers. In each block, thousands of optical fibers run parallel to each other between the two main surfaces, transmitting light information unchanged through the block. The composite material maintains the high compressive strength of concrete and can be used to build load-bearing structures. Available in various colors and in thicknesses of 25 to 500 millimeters.

litracon.hu

 
Photovoltaic Roof Tiles

System Photonics introduces the "Roof Collection" of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules, made with DuPont™ PV5300 Series encapsulant sheets. The power-generating solar cells are embedded between two 35-mil sheets of the clear, ionomer-based encapsulant, mounted onto individual ceramic tiles about one meter (3.3 feet) wide, and topped by low-iron glass. The collection includes product lines for shingle-type roofing and for cascade tiling. Both kinds can be installed easily on wood framing or concrete beams, with or without protective sheathing. The encapsulant contributes impact resistance and durability at weather-exposed open edges. The frameless tiles are available in 24 colors.

system-photonics.com

 
Lobby Security Turnstile

Smarter Security Systems offers the Fastlane® GlassGate™ 400 optical turnstile, designed for entrance control in lobbies of Class A buildings and corporate headquarters. The turnstile features transparent glass gates 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall, supported by narrow pedestals with open-air sides, resulting in minimal visual impact on lobby interiors. The tall gates are difficult to climb over, and the turnstile restricts the practice of "tailgating," when more than one individual tries to pass through at a time to avoid detection. A door brake can also be set to stop intruders from pushing open the gates.

smartersecurity.com

 
Ergonomic, Sustainable Chair

The Herman Miller Aeron Chair was designed to be a comfortable and durable work chair. It is also 94 percent recyclable, easy to disassemble and repair, and has many replaceable parts. Informed by extensive research on ergonomics, function, anthropometrics, and sustainability, the chair adapts to different body shapes through the specially woven seat and back material, the Pellicle. This suspension material conforms to the body and provides balanced support by relieving pressure points. The patented Kinemat tilt mechanism lets joints pivot naturally. The chair is Cradle to Cradle silver-certified, GreenGuard certified, and can contribute to LEED certification.

hermanmiller.com

 
Patterned Acid-Etched Glass

The Walker Textures™ Nuance custom and stock patterns are now available on etched or unetched glass, increasing immensely the design possibilities. With continuous research and development on their acid etch process, Walker Glass achieves a high-quality registration and a high level of detail. Virtually any pattern required by the marketplace can be made. All Walker Glass products are made using only North American glass substrates. The acid-etched products are available in a wide range of thicknesses, varying from 3 to 19 millimeters (0.12 to 0.75 inches) on glass and 3 to 6 millimeters (0.12 to 0.23 inches) on mirror, and in sizes up to 254 by 366 centimeters (100 by 144 inches). All of these products are also available in various colors, such as Starphire® ultra-clear glass by PPG, clear, bronze gray, black, green, and blue.

walkerglass.com