flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

GREENBUILD 2011: Transparent concrete makes its North American debut at Greenbuild

GREENBUILD 2011: Transparent concrete makes its North American debut at Greenbuild


By By BD+C Staff | October 7, 2011
Precast, transparent concrete panels can brighten any room and allow people to see images and objects behind them.

What if cement could light up a room? i.light precast, transparent concrete panels can brighten any room and allow people to see images and objects behind them.

Making its North American debut at Greenbuild, two i.light precast concrete walls, manufactured by ESSROC Italcementi Group, showcased the innovation of cement and the endless possibilities for interior and exterior applications by builders, designers and architects.

The transparency in cement is achieved via an innovative technology developed by Italcementi Group’s R&D department, in which a new dry ready-mixed product that allows bonding a light-transmitting plastic resin matrix is used. This allows the manufacturing of solid insulated concrete construction panels, which transmit light, both natural and artificial. The panels are guaranteed to last as long as a panel made from traditional cement material.

The result of the transparent panels is simply brilliant as they create a sequence of lights and shadows in constant evolution throughout the day. The transparent effect is more evident when it is dark and seen from the outside. The panels allow interior lights to filter through, from inside. During the day, exterior light filters in, showing the changes in the levels of daylight. The capability to transmit light can also make it possible to use less electricity, potentially contributing to energy savings. BD+C

Related Stories

Museums | Sep 16, 2015

First look: Diller Scofidio + Renfro's The Broad museum in Los Angeles

LA's newest art museum combines gallery space and collection storage based around two design concepts: the veil and the vault.

Giants 400 | Sep 15, 2015

HOTEL SECTOR GIANTS: Gensler, AECOM, Turner among nation's largest hotel sector AEC firms

BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest hotel sector design and construction firms, as reported in the 2015 Giants 300 Report.

BIM and Information Technology | Sep 14, 2015

Is Apple's new iPad Pro a game changer for architects?

A stylus, split screen, and improved graphics make designing on the tablet easier.

Education Facilities | Sep 14, 2015

Gehry unveils plan for Children's Institute, Inc. campus in LA

The new facility, which will have rooms for counseling, afterschool activities, and youth programs, will allow CII to expand its services to 5,000 local children and families.

Architects | Sep 11, 2015

Haeahn Architecture wins design competition for Seoul work and press center

Building will have low roofs, open courtyard, and media facilities

Giants 400 | Sep 10, 2015

INDUSTRIAL SECTOR GIANTS: Stantec, Turner, Jacobs among top industrial AEC firms

BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest industrial sector design and construction firms, as reported in the 2015 Giants 300 Report

Giants 400 | Sep 10, 2015

MILITARY SECTOR GIANTS: Clark Group, HDR, Fluor top rankings of nation's largest military sector AEC firms

BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest military sector design and construction firms, as reported in the 2015 Giants 300 Report

Museums | Sep 9, 2015

Bauhaus Museum Dessau names two design winners

The German museum chose one sleek, no-nonsense concept and one colorful, complex entry.

Giants 400 | Sep 8, 2015

RETAIL SECTOR GIANTS: Callison RTKL, PCL Construction, Jacobs among top retail sector AEC firms

BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest retail sector design and construction firms, as reported in the 2015 Giants 300 Report

BIM and Information Technology | Sep 7, 2015

The power of data: How AEC firms and owners are using analytics to transform design and construction

Case’s bldgs = data conference highlighted how collecting data about personal activities can inform design and extend the power of BIM/VDC.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Great Solutions

41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors

AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021