Cladding & Shading Systems

A building's envelope is a major determinant of both appearance and performance. With this idea in mind, we created cladding systems that provide a range of options for adaptive control of light levels, solar gain, and ventilation with greater aesthetic flexibility.

Discover the possibilities with our Cladding & Shading Systems Ineractive

Linear System

The linear system provides modular units that fit into a slender profile when retracted. When activated, they extend to form a continuous surface comprised of a series of slats that may be constructed of different materials, including metal, plastic, and wood.

This system is well suited to applications for which the shading devices are needed to, in effect, 'disappear' into a building's underlying structure.

Advantages of the linear system include the ability to be designed in non-rectangular shapes and to be installed in a non-vertical orientation.

Linear Shading System, US & International Patents Pending

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Grid System

The grid system provides panels of controlled permeability that vary smoothly between a covered state and a largely open state. Like the linear system, it can be configured in non-rectangular shapes and installed in a non-vertical orientation.

The grid system can regulate light levels and solar gain. Alternatively, it may be designed to control air flow in a manner similar to that of operable louvers. However, unlike louvers, which have elements that rotate to a position that is orthogonal to the surface of the façade, the grid system's perforated sheets move in plane.

The benefits of this lateral control include unitized integration with the façade surface, rather than the appearance as an appliqu, and greater transparency in the retracted position relative to louvers. Additionally, this concept is free from the typical design constraints of louvers, allowing architects an unprecedented level of control over the patterning of these moveable surfaces.

Grid Shading System, US & International Patents Pending

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L-system

The L-system is designed to provide retractable control over larger openings or apertures within a wall or building façade. When extended, the system creates a continuous surface; when retracted, that surface compacts into a slender perimeter profile.

This system can be adapted to fit a wide variety of openings like windows or large doors.

L-system, US & International Patents Pending

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Adaptive Fritting

Adaptive fritting is an integrated glass unit with a custom moveable fritting pattern, that can modulate the amount of transmitted light or solar gain, while allowing sufficient transparency for viewing.

While conventional fritting relies on a fixed pattern, Adaptive Fritting can control its transparency and modulate between opaque and transparent states. This performance is achieved by shifting a series of fritted glass layers so that the graphic pattern alternately aligns and diverges.

Glass fritting is an established architectural treatment for passive solar control, Adaptive Fritting imbues this treatment with the expanded functionality of movement. The benefit is twofold: It provides architects with a new design element that is a familiar part of their vocabulary and it increases the performance of standard fritting by creating a customizable shading scheme while preserving transparency, where desired.

Adaptive Fritting offers opportunity for complete design flexibility and architectural integration. Panels can be composed of fritted glass, plastics or perforated metals at scales ranging from 1’ to 12’. Patterning options are infinite: geometric mesh grids, color variations, non-uniform fields or gradients, even organic and non-repeating patterns are possible.

Adaptive Fritting, US & International Patents Pending

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