Let there be light

The world-famous Sistine Chapel in Rome is now illuminated like never before thanks to a new lighting system from German manufacturer Osram. The new solution comprises 7,000 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in a gilded, rail-like structure and is designed to protect the artworks while enabling much stronger lighting. New standards in “technological strength, quality and innovation” have been set, according to Osram CFO Dr Klaus Patzak. Each LED can be tuned to a different colour, with the aim of ensuring the light faithfully reflects the original colours. Another strength of the system is that it will use up to 90 per cent less electricity than the previous installation. Approximately E1.9m ($2.25m, £1.49m) was spent on the chapel’s new lighting. The European Union supported the project as part of a programme to demonstrate how LED technology improves energy efficiency and quality of light, with the aim of achieving more rapid market penetration. Other partners included Italy’s Fabertechnica, the Pannonian University in Hungary, and the Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya in Spain.

CLAD-kit keyword: Osram

German manufacturer Osram has supplied the Sistine Chapel with a new type of LED solution

Ahead of the curve

Cembrit’s cement-based building board, used as a stable base for a range of internal and external applications, is now available in flex formulation. This makes curved rendering possible, with ‘Cembrit PB flex’ specifically developed for use on curved walls, arches, vaulted ceilings and around beams and columns. It delivers dimensional stability and water resistance in order to minimise expansion and contraction as a result of heat, cold and moisture. Its low water absorbency makes Cembrit PB suitable for use as a tile backer board for any internal wet area application where ceramic tiles will be used as the decorative finish, as well as externally for applications such as rendering, brick slips or stone cladding.

CLAD-kit keyword: Cembrit

Cembrit PB flex makes it possible to render onto curves

Inspired by Japan

William Garvey’s portfolio of wooden furniture for the bathroom features an Oriental aesthetic and a focus on luxury. The company’s latest Japanese-inspired designs include a freestanding ‘Geo Deep Single Bath’ and matching wall-mounted ‘Geo Basin’, complemented by an ‘Interior Spa Bench’ and ‘Illuminating Mirror’. The bathroom interior in teak was designed by Thorp Design and handcrafted by furniture specialist William Garvey. All William Garvey teak work is finished with a specially formulated marine polish. Baths can be made bespoke size to fit any project.

CLAD-kit keyword: William Garvey

The Geo bathroom suite

A new kind of elevator

The world’s first rope-free elevator system could be set to transform the construction industry. ThyssenKrupp’s magnet-controlled ‘MULTI’ system allows elevators to move from side to side, as well as up and down, creating vertical metro systems. Linear motors placed in elevator cabins allow the elevators to move along horizontal shafts as they are no longer connected to ropes that pull them up and down. The system also allows several cabins in the same shaft to move at the same time, thus permitting buildings to adopt different heights, shapes, and purposes. ThyssenKrupp said tests on the system would begin in 2016.

CLAD-kit keyword: ThyssenKrupp

The rope free elevator system allows elevators to move horizontally and vertically

A sleek finish

Designed by Christopher Pillet in his signature contemporary style, Turkey’s VitrA Bathrooms has unveiled its Memoria range. Intended to be timeless and elegantly simple, the range includes sanitaryware, furniture and brassware. With its defining sleek clean lines, VitrA says the range is ideal for hotels looking to bridge the gap between the bathroom and living spaces. Five sit-on basins have been produced using the flexible ‘Infinit mineralcast’ material to form delicate and exact shapes. A selection of vanity units is also available with inset basins in Infinit mineralcast or ceramic. The brassware includes a shower column, and bath and basin taps.

CLAD-kit keyword: VitrA

The Memoria range

A clever court

Nike has unveiled the world’s first LED basketball court in Shanghai, China, a facility that has been created for basketball star Kobe Bryant to help train young players in Shanghai as part of Nike’s RISE campaign. The company teamed with design firm AKQA to produce the LED court. Dubbed the House of Mamba, it features all-over LED flooring; bringing graphics, video and real-time player tracking to training. Using motion sensors to enable tracking and interactive visualisations, players will be trained and challenged using circuits set by Bryant. ‘House of Mamba’ can display almost anything, from bespoke virtual training programmes to classic court markings and customised court overlays. It can also display personal performance statistics.

CLAD-kit keyword: Nike AKQA

LED visualisations will guide players through a variety of challenges

The court will help train young players

In safe hands

Art galleries and museums may be able to share their textile treasures with a wider audience if a new protective solution is used. Kommerling’s latest product, Ködiguard Conservation’ offers protection from ultra-violet light, the most damaging wavelength in the spectrum for textiles. It is a specialist colourless liquid composite specifically designed for applications where the highest reduction of ultra violet light transmission across the full UV light spectrum is required without affecting the quality of naturally transmitted light. Chris Davis, composites manager at Kommerling, said Ködiguard Conservation offered “a viable solution in single or insulated glass format and will remove the need for the regular replacement of post installation applied films.”

CLAD-kit keyword: Kommerling