SEFAR Architecture's LightFrame system warmly welcomes passengers and employees with large-scale overhead lighting inside the Zurich Airport in Zurich, Switzerland. The modular fabric ceiling covers 3,229 square feet of the redesigned shopping concourse between Terminal 1 and Car Park Elevator 1, improving lighting effects and spatial acoustics.
"One of the goals of this project was to create the feeling of an open sky as a connection between the airport and traveling," explained architect Florin Baeriswyl from dai zurich. "With the LightFrame system and innovative light variations, we were able to simulate a sky to create a pleasant, comforting and relaxing environment."
SEFAR Architecture LightFrame is the only fabric framing system available that can provide both light diffusion and acoustic improvements. It features wrinkle-free, high light-diffusing architectural fabrics biaxially stretched over a light, modular frame system. The aluminum frame is 12 centimeters deep and assists with light deflection.
LightFrame's seamless modules use locking screws to bring the edges of adjacent frames less than a half-inch apart, providing impressive uniformity of light distribution and appearance. The modules are also very simple to construct and access for light source maintenance. LightFrame features a duel skin system, unlike competitive products that are single skin. As a result, the airtight double layer covering eliminates penetration of dust and insects on the fabric membrane.
The Zurich Airport LightFrame system was specified with SEFAR Architecture's IA-80-CL PVDF mesh fabric, which allows 80 percent light transmission. The low-maintenance material resists UV rays, moisture and dirt and meets all fire code requirements. In the event of a fire, it produces very little smoke and instead of dripping, retracts like a skin.
The LightFrame system is used in conjunction with an energy-efficient light source with a separate control system. To simulate daylight, there is a constant change in light quality and intensity. The fabric acts as a light diffuser and deliberately allows the technical equipment to be seen in slight outline.