flexible PVC, a material with outstanding technical properties. ... the best projects
in terms of Innovation (with gold, silver and bronze divisions), Creative Design, ...
PVC TODAY PVC ww O w.pvc NLIN .or E g
creating Possibilities Together · winter 2010
Inflatable Living Spaces: Bubble Lodges from France Unbeatable Innovations: Developments from Europe Portable Fables: Luxurious Handbags from Italy
MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD
Photos: Plastimo
This life raft is exceptionally stable in water thanks to the robust external covering of PVCcoated textile fabric as well as the effective ballasting.
When the Best Matters Most Our society has come to depend on products of the best design in dangerous or critical situations. Scientifically tested medical products accelerate the healing process. Reliable safety products reduce risks on the road, at work, or during leisure activities. In the event of serious accident, we trust proven applications to limit damage. In this article we will introduce some of the technologies we depend on every day. Everyone of which relies on flexible PVC, a material with outstanding technical properties.
Photo: BP p.l.c.
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he Aircast Air-Stirrup ankle brace by the American company DJO Inc. has been used successfully to treat ankle injuries since 1978. It is an example of the high performance of medical products manufactured with flexible PVC. The anatomically designed shell of this brace fits the shape of the ankle perfectly. It has an interior air-cushioning system with two pre-inflated overlapping aircells of flexible PVC film made by the company RENOLIT AG. The brace provides great comfort and promotes blood circulation so that swelling and pain are minimised, making it a medical application with a proven track record. It is one of the many flexible PVC products in the field of medicine which have met the highest safety and quality standards for over 50 years.
Images seen around the world: Oil barriers, many of them made of PVC-coated textile fabric, prevented oil from washing ashore in the Gulf of Mexico.
Proven Millions of Times Over Blood bags made of PVC are biocompatible, prevent blood coagulation, and prolong the life of blood. Pliable, flexible PVC tubing for
infusions and transfusions deliver supplies of fluids and blood to patients in need. Disposable hygienic products such as PVC gloves are almost completely impermeable and resistant
Safe and Reliable PVC flooring has been a standard building material in healthcare facilities for decades. It is extremely easy to maintain due to its almost non-porous surface, and can be manufactured in numerous attractive designs. Fittings and fixtures for medical treatment such as massage tables with supple upholstery made of artificial leather has become a mainstay of
Outstanding Innovation In January 2010 the European vinyl manufacturer SolVin inaugurated its fourth annual ‘Award for PVC Innovation’. The winners of the competition were announced on October 28th at the K2010 International Plastics Trade Fair in Düsseldorf, Germany. Five prizes totalling €100,000 were awarded for the best projects in terms of Innovation (with gold, silver and bronze divisions), Creative Design, and Recycling.
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Bracelets, earrings and necklaces: Jewellery made of PVC is inspired by the ocean and is extremely creative. Little wonder that the ‘Creative Design SolVin Award 2010’ went to Molusk of Paris.
Photo: Gerflor Mipolam GmbH
to chemicals, acids, and bacteria. In the everyday life of the household, too, products made of this superior material are taken for granted and are always there when needed. Cold compresses are a good example of this. Whenever we suffer from headache or uncomfortable swelling, ice-cold compresses made of pliable soft PVC film are ready to hand in the freezer to alleviate our pain. PVC products are even recommended for allergy sufferers, thanks to their outstanding material properties.
cal systems from the spreading oil slick. One such measure was the installation of oil barriers, a proven solution in such situations, these consist primarily of yellow- and orangecoloured tubes made of a PVC-coated textile fabric. The inflatable or foam-filled tubes float on the water and keep the oil from spreading further. The tubes ride deep enough into the
Safety first: Water wings made of PVC film allow for the utmost safety in the water, as this material is airtight.
providing optimal work protection for years. These screens shield surrounding work areas from sparks, molten splatter, and hazardous glare. Reliable in Emergency Situations Safety ought to be our first consideration during leisure activities. We would not want our children to go swimming without reliable water wings or inflatable pool rings. Many of these robust safety devices are made of
Photo: Konrad Hornschuch AG
Effective Protection at Work There are many products on the market, not a few of which are made of flexible PVC, that help to prevent physical injury. For example, high-visibility clothing for workers in waste management or at construction sites heightens the level of safety. The reflectors are made of special PVC film that assures being seen at a distance. The same applies to reflective PVC film for cycling trouser clips or athletic armbands. Welding curtains made of PVC film have been
PVC film, which remains airtight and buoyant in dangerous situations. The same goes for the inflatable life rafts that are the last resort when a boat sinks or capsizes and passengers have to get to safety without delay. It is reassuring to know that the raft is made of highquality material that can withstand even the most treacherous weather.
Photo: friedola Gebr. Holzapfel GmbH
rehabilitation facilities. ‘Skai’ artificial leather manufactured by Konrad Hornschuch AG has proven its superiority in the medical field. It holds up under constant disinfectant use, is easy to clean and long-lasting. It satisfies the strict requirements of Germany’s Medical Product Law and has outstanding hygienic properties. High-quality surfaces with the look of leather are available in many modern designs.
Life rafts manufactured by Plastimo are the only ones made with an elaborate doublehull construction. Even children or injured people can activate the simple mechanism that inflates the raft in an emergency. The tough outer-shell of the life raft consists of a PVC-coated textile fabric which offers the greatest possible protection from abrasions and leaks. The fabric is neither heat-sealed nor bonded together – as is often the case with other designs – but carefully sewn. It protects the inner tube, a waterproof air chamber with exceptionally high elasticity. The survival system is equipped with large ballast bags weighted with lead to prevent capsizing even in high waves, rendering the rafts extremely stable in water. Because of their excellent technical specifications, Plastimo offers a 12-year guarantee on the rafts with the only condition that they are maintenanced every three years by a licensed Plastimo partner. Buyers can be sure that if worse comes to the worst they will have a product on board offering the highest possible chances of survival.
Elastic PVC flooring is ideally suited for use in hospitals. It is very easy to clean thanks to its almost non-porous surface, which meets the highest standards of hygiene.
The Right Choice for Oil Spills The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico caused an urgent need for measures that could effectively protect miles of beaches and their sensitive ecologi-
Photo: DJ Orthopedics, USA
Massage tables with supple artificial-leather upholstery offer patients greater comfort while also maintaining hygiene.
This ankle brace provides rigidity while facilitating the healing process after injuries. The shell is lined with inflatable aircells made of flexible PVC film for comfortable, cushioned support.
water that the oil cannot seep under them. If the weather conditions are reasonably calm, the barriers constitute an outstanding solution for environmental protection. Demand for the barriers became so great in the Gulf of Mexico that they sold out and manufacturers had to expand production. Images of the colourful barriers floating on the water along the coastline were broadcast around the world. www.renolit.com, www.hornschuch.de
The winners of the ‘SolVin Award for PVC Innovation 2010’
Contributing to Sustainable Development The independent jury, composed of five prominent industry members, nominated 23 projects in the three categories. The winning
projects included improved window insulation, natural fibre-composites, bio-based additives, super energy-efficient piping systems, and enhanced, integrated materials recycling. During the awards ceremony for the five winners, the jury honoured innovations highlighting the important contribution of vinyl to sustainable development, which incorporate ecological efficiency, creative design, and improvements to the quality of life. www.solvinaward.com
Gold Georg Fischer Deka (Germany): Innovative photo-bioreactors made of 100% transparent PVC pipes and fittings, designed for growing micro-algae Silver Rohm and Haas (France): SureCelTM, a breakthrough in processing aid technology achieving a 20% material savings in the manufacture of foamed PVC profiles
Bronze Alkor Draka (France): the stretched PVC ceiling system, combining optimal fire resistance with zero smoke emission Recycling profine (Germany): the ‘KBE System_88 mm’ window and door system, compounded of up to 50% recycled PVC Creative Design Molusk (France): aquatic jewellery made of PVC
Photos: Molusk/SolVin
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record 141 projects were submitted from companies throughout the entire vinyl supply chain, 40% more than in the previous year. This can-do response attests to the vitality of the European vinyl industry and its capacity for innovation and creativity in new applications and products.
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EDITORIAL
For All Purposes
‘Climate Capsules’, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg: Escape through the emergency exit into the ‘shelter’: the hammock in ‘Oasis No. 7’ by Haus-Rucker-Co on the outside wall of the Museum. (Materials: transparent PVC film, white-coated fabric, steel construction, hammock, two artificial palm trees, emergency exit sign, diameter approximately 7 m)
Whether it is small accidents, health problems, or full-blown disasters, all of us depend on products that must prove their reliability in diverse situations. Often we trust ourselves to devices made of flexible PVC. We place cold compresses made of reusable, pliable PVC film next to painful swellings. Our children wear water wings of robust PVC film that keep their heads above water. We barricade our beaches behind kilometres-long PVC barriers that hold back seeping oil threatening ecologically sensitive coastline. Many other products made of PVC are characterised by their superior social benefits. Inflatable noise dampers made of PVC membranes are the ideal solution to protect people from temporary noise from construction sites and sports fields. According to research carried out by the University of Stuttgart and the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics, these ultra-light systems offer as much sound-proofing as massive barriers made of concrete. Quite different product designs satisfy our longing for aesthetic delight and a touch of luxury. The magical Italian handbags designed by Furla are a classic example. They would make anyone’s heart beat faster who in their youth were enchanted by the tale of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. A series of scenes featuring the fable’s most important characters adorn the new handbag collection made of PVC-coated textile fabric. Or consider CristalBubbles (shown on the back cover), which combines the experience of the wild with maximum comfort. These outsized, inflatable, fully furnished mobile bubbles might well be compared to hotel rooms. In this edition, too, the articles again showcase the versatile possibilities of flexible PVC. If you know of any unusual products or admirable projects involving the use of flexible PVC, simply contact us. Share your experience with the many other readers of ‘PVC TODAY’. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Werner Preusker Norbert Helminiak Helmuth Leitner Editors of PVC TODAY
Pupils Send Thanks
IMPRINT Publisher in Germany: PVCplus Kommunikations GmbH Am Hofgarten 1-2 D-53113 Bonn Telephone: +49-2 28-23 10 05 Fax: +49-2 28-538 95 96 E-Mail:
[email protected] Internet: www.pvcplus.de Contact: Werner Preusker Publisher in Switzerland: PVCH-Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Schweizerischen PVC-Industrie c/o KVS Schachenallee 29c CH-5000 Aarau Telephone: +41-62 832 7060 Fax: +41-62 834 0061 E-Mail:
[email protected] Internet: www.pvch.ch Contact: Norbert Helminiak
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Pupils from Grade 1C in Buttisholz, Switzerland can now write more easily thanks to soft desk mats.
Publisher in Europe: The European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers Avenue E Van Nieuwenhuyse 4 Box 4 B-1160 Brussels Telephone: +32-2 792 75 25 Fax: +32-2 676 7447 E-Mail:
[email protected] Internet: www.ecvm.org Contact: Helmuth Leitner
They received the practical writing mats from the PVCH Working Group of the Swiss PVC industry. This was reason enough for the children to send heartfelt thanks to the sponsors.
Total number of copies: 5,500 Created by: www.hl-dialog.de Cover picture: Boy with a Cold Compress, Ralph Richter
Obviously thrilled by the green and blue desk mats (!): Pupils from Alterswil enjoy working on their new desk mats.
In the Realm of Climate Capsules
and surrender completely to what was happening. Lawrence Malstaf has been performing this installation since 1995. A video is available on YouTube (search phrase: ‘Lawrence Malstaf Shrink’). Certainly the displays did not demonstrate viable options in case of
either a sudden or gradual ecological catastrophe. Nevertheless, they graphically evoked the wealth of feelings we would have had if we actually had to make do without essential resources. http://www.klimakapseln.de
The ‘Climate Capsules’ exhibition in the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg was not primarily about sustainability or recycling – even if the title perhaps led you to believe this. It dealt with plastic material in the visual arts. It also involved PVC material as plastic in the artistic sense, or as an important part of any strategy of surviving advancing climate change.
Vacuum-Packed Peanuts The artist Lawrence Malstaf offered a special kind of performance. In his exhibit entitled ‘Shrink’, the visitors placed themselves between two pieces of bonded PVC film. The air was then removed so that the individual was shrink-y wrapped like ‘peanuts in a package’. With the help of a hose, the vacuumpacked person used an air bubble as his only oxygen supply. While onlookers may have felt claustrophobic, many participants reported the experience as relaxing. One had to trust
‘Climate Capsules’, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg: Lawrence Malstaf depicts the feeling of weightlessness and security through his full-body capsule ‘Shrink’.
Peter Halter School: The desk mats from PVCH provide children with a soft and comfortable writing surface while protecting desks from damage.
afford desk mats due to limited budgets are greatly benefitted. The many thanks and positive reactions received from schools are a testament to their success. www.pvch.ch
customers. ‘In the beginning there were only small orders, but now we also receive inquiries to supply entire schoolhouses. In total, we have manufactured and distributed 28,500 desk mats free of charge’, reports Norbert Helminiak, Chairman of Management at PVCH in Aarau. The Working Group has invested approximately €110,000 in production and shipping so far.
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uttisholz is not the first recipient of the colourful writing mats. Many schools and preschools have been given them free of charge since 2002. Initially, PVCH member companies distributed the writing mats
themselves to institutions in their local areas. Eventually, as the project developed on its own without advertising, PVCH took over delivery. More and more teachers have turned to the Swiss PVC industry, including many residual
Pupils and Teachers Thrilled The popular mats consist of a thick inner foil which is heat-sealed inside thin flexible-PVC film in blue or green. Teachers prefer this simple version so that pupils are not distracted from their lessons. Placed under the children’s notebooks and colouring pads, the writing mats protect school desks from scrapes and scratches. In addition, the recyclable mats are easy to clean and long-lasting. And they bring colour to the classroom. Schools that cannot
Pupils from Grade 1C in Buttisholz thank PVCH for their donation of desk mats.
Photos: Peter Halter School and Alterswil, PVCH
Photo: Dennis Conrad
Inflatable Oasis Even before entering, the visitor’s eye is arrested by a transparent sphere made of PVC film installed on the museum building. ‘Oasis No. 7’ is the name of the balloon-like capsule, which had been shown at documenta 5 in Kassel in 1972 by the Haus-Rucker-Co group of Austrian architects and artists. In Hamburg, visitors were able to enter the sphere on the second floor of the museum through an airlock and relax in a hammock suspended between
two trees. Ironically, the entrance to the capsule was designated as an emergency exit. Professor Günter Zamp Kelp, a member of the Haus-Rucker-Co group of artists, wished to avoid promoting the capsule as a kind of idyllic utopia. Visitors ‘were supposed to grapple with this reality and not flee from it’, he said. Photo: Performative Installation, © Lawrence Malstaf/Galerie Fortlaan 17, Ghent/Belgium
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limate Capsules: Means of Surviving Disaster’ was an impressive exhibition which, based on 30 models from art, architecture, and design, demonstrated how people could adapt to specific climatic conditions. Visitors were invited to wear climate clothing, to try out body and living capsules, and to marvel at floating cities and nature capsules. The concept of curator Friedrich von Borries was grounded in the question of what daily life would look like if climate change became a reality. One famous example is the spaceshiplike ‘Futuro’ house by Matti Suuronen from 1968.
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Portable Noise Barriers Many people are disturbed by the ever-present noise from road, air, and rail traffic. According
Photo: Frank Schmidt, Trebsen
60 percent of the population finds road traffic in their neighbourhoods intrusive. At the same
Installing inflatable PVC membranes such as these at a construction site keeps acoustic disturbances to a minimum.
time, transient and shifting sources of noise due to construction, outdoor concerts, and sporting events have become increasingly annoying. Noise insulation elements made of film and PVC-coated membranes produce amazing results in this type of situation.
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oise barriers alongside motorways, sound-proof plastic window systems, and well-insulated façades have proven to be effective solutions when noise becomes a problem. Noise reduction for transient acoustic disturbances that nonetheless constitute serious nuisances is not easy. For example, lightweight plastic walls, mineral-fibre cushions, and sand-filled tarpaulins have been resorted to in the past, but these solutions are often too complicated to implement and are impracticle. Simple, flexible, cost-effective portable products are greatly in demand. Schew-Ram Mehra, Professor of Acoustics at the University of Stuttgart in Germany, together with acousticians at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP) have tackled this problem. As part of a research project lasting several years, they examined numerous protective systems,
Imaginative noise reduction: Inflatable noise barriers can also be created individually in order to bring more life to cities.
Photo: Fraunhofer IBP
to a survey of 2,000 adults by Germany’s Federal Environment Agency (UBA), approximately
among them inflatable noise barriers made with PVC-coated polyester fabric. Light and Flexible In principle, the ultra-light noise barriers work using membranes quite like those in an air mattress. The PVC-coated membranes of various shapes and sizes make versatile design components, and can quickly be inflated by a compressor. The noise-damping effect of the bivalve shell is customizable by varying the shape, arrangement, and number of air chambers. In addition, noise absorption can also be controlled by the texture of the exterior surface and the air pressure inside the membrane shell. In this way, the system is adaptable to different kinds of noise. As Good as Concrete The portable sound barriers were subjected to multifarious challenges in tests at a number of construction sites. The results were quite
A New Patient Experience In April 2010 London’s Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital officially opened the doors of its state-of-the-art Outpatient Assessment Centre. The new building offers modern healthcare to patients, including clinical fittings and facilities for X-ray and ultrasound imaging, orthotics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and pre-operative assessment. The use of vinyl in the interior design meets the high standards of the healthcare facility in terms of both durability
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he Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), founded in 1905, is the largest orthopaedic hospital in the UK and regarded as a world leader in the field of orthopaedics. The architectural design of the hospital incorporates both marketable flats and rooms for outpatient services. Once completed, the building will host 100 residential units and a threestorey Outpatient Centre for the Hospital. The existing waiting hall will be retained and used for office space.
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A large play area with lots of space enhances the experience of children who visit the new Outpatient Assessment Centre in central London.
Outstanding Patient Care The opening of the Outpatient Assessment Centre in Bolsover Street marks an important step in the overall renovation of the RNOH. Developed in partnership with Ridgeford Properties Ltd and Manhattan Loft Corporation and designed by HOK Architects, it is a landmark in the design aspirations of the NHS Trust. Hospital Chief Executive Rob Hurd states, ‘It is our absolute priority to provide outstanding patient care and this centre will have a huge impact on our patients’ experience’.
Design Life The materials were chosen to accord with government specifications following a green approach, and products were selected to meet the building standards of the London authorities. The design life of the materials used in this project is intended to conform to the British ’Guide to Durability of Buildings and Building Elements, Products and Components’ building standard. The new building at Bolsover Street has received an overall rating of excellent by the NHS Environmental Assessment Tool (NEAT).
Photos: ECVM
and aesthetics.
A Look into the Future The future development of overarching inflatable structures for entire construction sites or other transient noise sources is conceivable; this is an area with considerable potential for innovation. http://www.ibp.fraunhofer.de/akustik, www.ceno-tec.de
Effective noise abatement at construction sites. The portable barriers are easy to install and quick to adjust when construction noise changes direction.
Some literary masterpieces never lose their fascination even after 100 years. Undoubtedly “The Wizard of Oz” by American author Lyman Frank Baum belongs in this category. It is the enchanting story of Dorothy, who is borne away by a tornado to a world of magic wonders. Italian manufacturer Furla has now dedicated to Baum’s classic tale a special collection of its handbags made of PVC-coated canvas.
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he new collection, called ‘Furla Talent Hub’ by the Italian handbag manufacturer, carries us away to Dorothy’s wonderland and involves us in her adventures. All motifs depicted on Young Dorothy with her iconic ruby slippers is at the centre of this the bags retell the tale shoulder bag. The colourful handbag made of PVC-coated textile fabric is held shut by a crystal ball. in a suite of scenes and a parade of characters. We instantly recognise the house in which our heroine was lofted away to a transcendent reality. Not only Dorothy but also her fabulous companions the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow are represented in these vivid depictions composed of all colours of the rainbow.
product life cycle. At the same time, the vinyl applications meet high aesthetic standards for interior design, and soothingly promote the healing process of patients. It is just the right balance between aesthetics and building standards. www.rnoh.nhs.uk
For the interior design HOK Architects chose vinyl applications for the flooring, wall coverings, and in the children’s play area, not only because of easy maintenance but also to create a friendly and aesthetic atmosphere.
Enchanting Collection Established in 1927, with its long tradition of craftsmanship Furla produces some of the world’s most elegant, high-quality handbags made of exquisite materials and designed for tasteful refinement. It now incorporates the recent fairytale collection by the Italian fashion designers Fabio Sasso and Juan Caro, creators of the fashion trademark ‘Leitmotif’. The wide range of products comprises handbags of various shapes and sizes made of highquality PVC-coated textile fabric. Whether on elegant shopping bags, petite evening pocketbooks or spacious satchels, these suitable companions are available for every Unusual shape, unusual motif: The Scareoccasion. Exactingly designed feacrow on this enchanting handbag is one of the main characters from “The Wizard tures like extravagant shoulder straps of Oz”. and bag clasps with charming crystal balls attest to a loving care for detail. The product line includes umbrellas, leather gloves, watches, scarves and many other accessories besides handbags. www.furla.com
This delicately crafted evening pocketbook made of PVC-coated canvas shows Dorothy in the midst of her magical fairyland.
Photos: Furla S.p.A.
Aesthetics meets Functionality HOK Architects chose vinyl materials for the flooring, wall coverings, and children’s play area; it was an optimal solution in terms of both aesthetic and environmental impact. Durable vinyl flooring in attractive finishes is almost non-porous and easy to clean, minimizing maintenance costs throughout the
Magic Wonders
and licensed partner of the Fraunhofer Institute. Convinced of the advantages of their ultra-light system, the company has offered the noise abatement system in modular form since 2008. But the possibilities are far from exhausted. Photo: CENO Membrane Technology GmbH
impressive. ‘Our membrane walls produce the same protection as massive noise barriers made of concrete and are several times lighter’, stated Professor Mehra. The bivalve structure creates a sound insulation gradient of almost 20 decibels. And because of its light weight it is easily assembled and dismantled. It is a great advantage in dealing with transient noise sources when quick, flexible, and economic solutions are required. For good reason this noise abatement system has now received the German ‘Landmarks in the Land of Ideas’ award. The manufacturer, the company CENO Membrane Technology, is a cooperative enterprise
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This BubbleLodge consists of two Bubbles: a completely transparent living area and a semi-transparent second one providing a separate sleeping area. White PVC film over the lower half of the sleeping Bubble provides privacy.
particulates, while directing clean air into the CristalBubble. The huge Bubble is thus the ideal place for allergy sufferers. The system allows air circulation to be manually controlled at several power levels. Humidity can also be regulated. Constant internal air pressure (slightly higher than atmospheric pressure) is monitored by an automatic regulator. This keeps the PVC film taut and wrinkle-free during use. The system’s low-noise motor outside the Bubble is energy-efficient – using between 70 and 90 watts. A Comfortable Lodge To savour starlit nights to the full, Dumas developed variations of his magical Cristal-
Immediate Experience of Nature The CristalBubble is a magical sphere in nature with an unrestricted 360-degree panoramic view. Through this innovative product made of transparent PVC film the French designer Pierre Stéphane Dumas has succeeded in combining supposed opposites: immediate experience of the wild and maximum comfort. Both cosy and trendy: The Honeymoon BubbleLodge. The bed is filled with air and made of 100-percent PVC.
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e originally intended the CristalBubble as a kind of winter garden designed to furnish a comfortable outing in the back yard in those first sunny but still chilly days of spring. As Dumas explained, ‘My basic idea was to allow for a maximum amount of comfort and direct experience in nature with minimal use of energy and materials’. The idea has resulted in an entire product line for various occasions and target groups with the potential of becoming a real trendsetter. Unrestricted Panoramic View An unobstructed view in all directions is made possible by flexible transparent PVC film and the special air-renewal system. The inflated
The ante-chambered air-trap entrance prevents air from escaping when going in or out of the CristalBubble. If entering from the outside, you first close the outer door behind you, then open the inner door into the living space.
Bubble’s diameter is four metres at the bottom, and the transparent living space is three metres at the highest point. Installation of proper flooring is possible, and your imagination is the limit in furnishing the interior area. Whether it be a romantic dinner for two, relax-
CristalBubble: In the midst of nature with maximum comfort. Blissfully relaxing days like these leave strong memories.
P CH Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Schweizerischen PVC-Industrie
ing hours by the lake, or a day in your own colourful autumn garden, the CristalBubble furnishes a panorama of nature and enjoyment through all the senses. Refreshing Ventilation The living space is equipped with an air-renewal system which operates continuously when in use to vent and replenish the air inside. The process sucks outside air in, whereupon an air-filtration system removes pollen and other
Rental Service Available The French designer rents his unusual Bubbles for special events. Modular Bubbles of various sizes are combined to create extraordinary venues for festive occasions or business functions. Dumas has captured the spirit of the times with another new idea: a BubbleRoom to be rented with breakfast for a weekend in France. It is an attractive offer for adventurous weekend vacationers who enjoy being immersed in nature. ‘The response has been impressive. People from the city especially enjoy experiencing nature directly for two days at a time without giving up comfort’, says Dumas. A BubbleLodge is even available for honeymooners! www.bubbletree.fr
An initiative of the PVC industry
Photos: www.bubbletree.fr
Bubble. He redesigned its lower section with white PVC film to create visual privacy from prying neighbours. The transparent upper section remains unchanged – an ideal solution allowing for more seclusion while experiencing nature. A modular second Bubble that functions as either a bath- or bedroom can be added-on to make an extended BubbleLodge. The ensemble is comparable to a hotel room en suite.
