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 

More than 85 years of German engineering excellence, precision manufacturing and technical innovation stands behind GKD-USA’s collection of extraordinary woven metal fabrics. As the leading manufacturer of woven metal fabrics for the architecture and design communities, GKD-USA engineers the material to inspire a blend of beauty and practicality, form and function, technology and craftsmanship. GKD metal fabrics are produced in a wide variety of weight, texture, degree of transparency and flexibility. Dynamic and static graphics are integrated through LED technology and proprietary surface etching techniques. GKD metal fabrics are specified by renowned architects and designers in interior and exterior applications worldwide. For more information, visit www.gkdmetalfabrics.com .