The Art of Combining Design with Light Control
The advent of acid-etched mirror products in the market offers quite a unique design option to architects and designers. Acid-etched mirror turns a traditional product into a distinctive piece of decorative glass, with a slight reflection and a smooth finish, suitable for contemporary or traditional settings.
The unique properties of acid-etched mirrors are created by combining Walker TexturesTM acid etch finishes with different glass substrates (clear, low iron or tints), to obtain varied visual effects that integrate perfectly with the surrounding space. Patterns can also be applied to enhance the design of the surface and its look.
Many architects and designers now realize that acid-etched mirrors can be used for other interesting tasks, such as light absorption and glare control. In many projects, the intent is to use acid-etched mirrors to keep daylight in selected areas of a space and to diffuse it for better visual comfort. By capturing and absorbing artificial or natural light, an acid-etched mirror creates a smooth and pleasing environment with little glare.
Acid-etched mirror can also be incorporated in a daylight-harvesting strategy. The value proposition is fairly simple: As daylight levels increase in a space, electric light levels can automatically decrease to maintain a target task-light level and save energy.
Projects, such as the Marriott Airport Hotel and Greiche & Scaff, really show how well the design and light control can be combined by using acid-etched mirrors. You can check out these projects here:
