A team of architects have created a ‘transparent cement’ that lets light pour into a room so that the wallslook like giant windows.
The material, called i.light, has dozens of tiny holes in it which lets light through without compromising the structural integrity.
Up close, the 2-3mm gaps make a startling pattern and from certain angles or at a distance appear exactly the same as normal concrete.
But on a sunny day inside a building made from the cement, the effect is akin to little more than a light mesh on the wall filtering the light coming in.
01.jpgArchitectural triumph: The Italian pavilion at last year's Expo in Shanghai is the only building constructed with 'transparent' cement to date
Innovation: Called i.light, the material has dozens of tiny holes in it which lets light through without compromising the structural integrity
The cement has been formed by bonding special resins in a new mix created by Italian architects Italcementi.
So far they have only used it for one building, the Italian pavilion at last year’s Expo in Shanghai, but it has already been suggested it could save electricity that would otherwise be required for daytime lighting.
Italcementi used i.light for around 40 per cent of the 18-metre high Expo pavilion, or 3,774 transparent panels and semi-transparent panels made from 189 tonnes of the product.
In each transparent panel there are approximately 50 holes, leading to about 20 per cent transparency. The semi-transparent panels were around 10 per cent see-through and were created by ‘modulating the insertion of the resins’.
Previous attempts at a similar feat had been tried using fibre optic cables through concrete, but Italcementi claims its version is better.
20 per cent transparency: Developed by Italian firm Italcementi, there are approximately 50 holes in each panel
The future? Previous attempts at a similar feat had been tried using fibre optic cables through concrete, but Italcementi claims its version is better
Enrico Borgarello, Italcementi Group Innovation Director, said: ‘The "transparent cement" made from plasticresins is much cheaper than the one made from optical fibers and costs less.
‘Moreover, the ability to "capture" light is greater, since the resins contain a wider visual angle than optical fibers.
‘This characteristic in fact increases the transparency properties of the material and the luminous effects given to buildings.’
Mr Borgarello said his company took up the challenge to build the pavilion because they wanted to find a ‘creative, efficient solution’.
‘The 3,774 "transparent cement" panels for the Italian Pavilion were made at a rate of around 200 a day,’ he said.
The cement is currently under patent and it is not yet decided if it would be made available worldwide, he added.
