Architectural Products Update

 
Photovoltaic Pavement

Onyx Solar and Butech, a subsidiary of Porcelanosa Group, are developing a photovoltaic (PV) pavement expected to be on the market by late 2010. The product will consist of safety glass with integrated PV over an elevated ceramic base, producing a completely walkable surface. The pavement can be included in a project as a substitute for more traditional materials without compromising design or aesthetics. Works in all weather, including low light and cloudy conditions. Frameless and appealing in high-visibility applications.

onyxsolar.com

 
Drain-Water Heat Recovery

The Power-Pipe® drain-water heat-recovery (DWHR) system reduces water heating costs by recovering heat from waste water. As drain water falls down the inner wall of a vertical drain stack, the heat from the falling water is transferred through the system's copper pipe to fresh cold water flowing in the outer coil. This double-walled heat exchanger is simple to specify and install during new construction, and can also be retrofitted to existing buildings where there is access to drain stacks and fresh water lines. Appropriate for residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial buildings. Can reduce water heating costs by 20 to 40 percent in multifamily residential buildings. Qualifies for LEED credits. From RenewAbility Energy Inc.

renewability.com

 
Concrete Fabric Shelters

Concrete Canvas Shelters are rapidly deployable hardened shelters that require only water and air for construction. Concrete Canvas Ltd of Wales offers two shelter variants: CCS25 and CCS54, with 25 and 54 square meters of floor space, respectively. The shelters consist of a cement-impregnated flexible fabric (Concrete Cloth) bonded to the external surface of an inflated plastic inner form, with a shape somewhat similar to a Nissen hut or Quonset hut. The smaller shelter can be deployed by two people in under an hour, and is ready to use in 24 hours. With a minimum design life of ten years, the thin-walled shelters provide a durable alternative to conventional tenting for commercial, military, and humanitarian applications.

concretecanvas.co.uk

 
Efficient Rooflight with Discreet Framing

Glazing Vision's energy-efficient Flushglaze Tripleglazed rooflight is made of a triple-glazed unit that is silicone-sealed and bonded into an aluminum framework. Since the framework is all external, the units provide a clear view out and a crisp aesthetic. These skylights can achieve a center-pane U-value of 0.77 watts per square meter-kelvin. The lack of internal flashings and metal framework reduces water ponding and condensation risks. The low profile is well suited for flat roof applications, on pitches of 3 to 5 degrees. Custom shapes and sizes available. Designed, engineering, and manufactured in Suffolk, England.

glazing-vision.co.uk

 
Dynamic Office Chair

The Wilkhahn® ON office chair offers both freedom of movement and comfortable relaxation. The spacious chair accommodates different postures and allows a wide range of movement in three dimensions. Two separate swing plates move in the same way our thighs do. Ball-and-socket joints connect the swing plates to the Flexframe®, a combination of a flexible upholstered seat shell and an elastic back frame. Easy to use, with two buttons to adjust the counterpressure. Three backrest heights, three types of armrests, and three types of upholstery are available. The modular structure makes parts easy to replace. Over 95% of the chair is recyclable.

wilkhahn.com