GKD-USA Illumesh® Transparent Media Façade Receives Patent
January 31, 2012
CAMBRIDGE, Md. – GKD-USA, the leading manufacturer of woven metal fabrics, has been awarded a patent for its Illumesh® Illuminated Metal Fabric product. Illumesh® works by allowing system-integrated LED lighting to project light onto the reflective metal mesh surface creating a brilliant projection. The span of illumination can be controlled by the angling of the LEDs, which can be focused on a specific area or blanket the entire façade. Illumesh® is now protected under patent 7,513,644 B2.
“The Illumesh® product is ideal for projecting large scale images,” said Mike Leonard, technical director, Mediamesh® and Illumesh Systems for GKD-USA. “Compared to other conventional illumination systems, Illumesh® offers high resolution dynamic imagery within the context of an extremely durable, energy-efficient material.”
As a transparent material, Illumesh allows for a media façade but does not inhibit natural ventilation, lighting or views to the outside. All of which affect a building’s energy efficiency as it eliminates the need for mechanical ventilation and lighting.
Illumesh® has been used on buildings all over the world to add awareness and visual appeal. In France, both Illumesh® and MediaMesh® helped to transform the façade of Atelier a Torcè, a manufacturing facility, from a dull structure to an ever-changing display of light and color. The fabric covers 1,600-square-feet using seven large panels of Illumesh®.
Designed as a symbol of the structural-political evolution of a former mining district, the 118-foot Indemann Observation Tower in Inden, Germany serves as a visual representation of progressive planning for the future. The tower features a transparent skin of Illumesh® interwoven with 40,000 separately computer-controlled LED lights that glow magnificently to create a spectacular light show.
About GKD
As the leading full service provider of woven metal fabric for architectural solutions, GKD-USA draws on more than 85 years of German engineering excellence, precision American manufacturing and expertise as the originator of the category. With eight manufacturing facilities and more than 600 employees worldwide, GKD metal fabrics have been specified by renowned architects and designers for thousands of interior and exterior applications. Serving as technical design consultants on each project, our collaboration with architects, facility managers and building owners begins at the conceptual design phase and continues through specification, installation and testing. Our experience at all levels of the design-build process underscores the fact that each project comes with its own set of considerations and details. Our mission is to address each to achieve safe, beautiful and long-lasting installations. GKD metal fabrics are produced in a wide variety of weight, texture, degree of transparency and flexibility for unlimited design versatility. Dynamic and static graphics may be integrated through proprietary LED technology and surface etching techniques. GKD Worldwide Weave encompasses three business units: CreativeWEAVE architectural meshes (GKD Metal Fabrics), SolidWEave industrial meshes and WEAVEinMotion for process and transport belts. For more information, follow us on Twitter and Facebook or visit www.gkdmetalfabrics.com
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SANRAL Headquarters, South Africa
The headquarters of South African National Roads Agency Limited, also known as SANRAL, was completed in 2011 as a prime example of sustainable architecture. Providing the metallic mesh that offers both aesthetic and functional properties, GKD Metal Fabrics played a key role in the success of this project. The office building is located in Pretoria, capital city of the Republic of South Africa. With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, this is one of the sunniest regions in the world. -
Illumesh Transparent Media Facade
GKD-USA has been awarded a patent for its Illumesh® Illuminated Metal Fabric product. Illumesh® works by allowing system-integrated LED lighting to project light onto the reflective metal mesh surface creating a brilliant projection.
