SOLAR SHADING
Legacy louvre product restored for the modern world Technology originally developed in the 1940’s has been revitalised by a UK manufacturer, to provide a top performing product for today’s built environment
New products generally mean new technology. Imagine then that an invention of the 1940’s could be the best choice, top performing product in its field when it is re-launched, without any enhancements, today? A simple, engineered product made to fine tolerances, providing control and diffusion of sun, heat, light and air. Sometimes, the simplest products are the best. That’s the claim being made by UK manufacturer Smartlouvre Technology Limited.
What is it? It is the world’s thinnest and lightest metal fabric, manufactured in the UK. 700 miniature louvres of durable bronze are woven into each metre of a fabric as thin as a grain of rice. The louvres themselves are only two times thicker than a human hair and are angled to block all the sun’s heat, or re-direct light. For lighting direction, the standard 170 louvre angle provides
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an asymmetric light kick, alternatively a 00 angle of louvre provides symmetric light projection.
Where and how did it start? It was invented in America in the late 1930’s by two senior research members of Dow Chemical and first manufactured in conjunction with the Borg-Warner Corporation. In 1941, the product was introduced to one of the most important 20th century architects Frank Lloyd Wright, who said of the material, “This is more important than even you can realise. Not just windows, but entire walls and sections of buildings could be screened and protected from the sun’s hot rays”.
“Now known as MicroLouvre™, this paper-thin louvred metal fabric is unique, multifunctional and now, more than ever, a product of our time.”
Now known as MicroLouvre™, this same paper-thin louvred metal fabric is unique, multi-functional and now, more than ever, a product of our time. With its passive, angle selective, maintenance free technology, MicroLouvre™ supports all today’s energy saving,
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