FLEX adds an organic, free-flowing, spontaneous, playful, art-like touch of color, character and interest thereby elevating an otherwise utilitarian built environment to one that fosters moments of inspiration and positive distraction.
Design objective: state the design objective, including any specific criteria
The material that is transformed into FLEX by introducing cleavage lines is carefully designed for a dynamic interplay with color and light. The cleverly designed internal facets create mirrors like-surfaces to reflect, refract, diffuse, retro-reflect, diffract and scatter incident light and color.
Each individual pattern is characterized by a unique aesthetic because of a distinctive set of light manipulating phenomenon associated with its particular geometry.
FLEX enriches the dynamism and impact of the material by broadcasting this symphony with color and light over a dimensional surface that is given its final shape and form by the user.
Using FLEX makes an organic, artistic statement in a space and adds a feature that engages and inspires users of the space. The character of commercial interiors can vary widely – from colorful and exuberant to modern and monotone. FLEX, in its available configurations can be made to resonate with any design.
FLEX’s usefulness lies in its ability to be free-formed to create an accent, achieve seamless transitions and perfect curves and conceal what is unsightly giving any built space a final finishing touch.
Creating aesthetically pleasing transitions between surfaces is sometimes challenging and requires complex, cumbersome fabrication to meet site requirements and achieve perfect alignment. FLEX makes this task simple by allowing both the “give” that may be required or the “tightness” that may be desired, to achieve a refined seamless look.
Design and technical innovation: describe the design solution, noting how it is original and innovative
Both the design of the material and the processes developed to manufacture FLEX are innovative and unique. There was not a utilitarian need to innovate but a strong desire to create something beautiful. Feedback from installers of rigid material also spurred FLEX’s development. There is nothing similar to FLEX in the industry to compare with. The material is composed of a unique light filtering system that causes incident light to undergo manipulation in various ways (reflection, refraction, diffusion, diffraction, retro-reflection or a varying combination of each). The clever geometry of the integral facets that make up this light filtering system allows the material to achieve an unprecedented aesthetic that is dependent upon the predominant phenomena that incident light undergoes, which in turn is dependent upon the distinctive geometry of the facets (pattern). The design of the internal facets also includes their arrangement and distribution in the overall material format to create “light shelves”, in tiers, within the material itself. This arrangement allows the penetration and distribution of exterior daylight over the expanse of the material while also extending and maximizing the effect of ambient interior light. The transformation of a rigid material into a flexible one without any losses in visual appeal, integrity and durability is novel. The manufacturing methods used, including the secondary process of introducing cleavage planes to achieve an integrated, non-fatiguing hinge mechanism has been developed entirely by us and not repurposed from one existing in the industry.
Market application: what application(s) is the product suitable or designed for? Include list price FLEX’s integral patterns manipulate light and play with colors to lead to a stunning effect. The ability to spontaneously shape the material into free-forms facilitates abstract artistic expression.
No space is whole without a touch of art. FLEX adds a final finishing touch to environments and can be designed to be subtly present or create a bold statement.
As a surfacing material FLEX adds a fabric-like softness, and creates dimensional work of art to enhance any flat surface. FLEX is forgiving of construction tolerances and embraces irregularly shaped or curved surfaces without unsightly seams or joints.
The range of aesthetic imparted to the material by customizable variables including patterns and their variations (scale and density), shapes and sizes created by cleavage planes, a spectrum of colors (including iridescent accents) and, a choice of interlayers (including fabric, wood veneer or artwork) and surface finishes (polished or frosted) allows it to effortlessly achieve the design goals for the space it is installed in. Conformance of pre-curved material to a curved receiving surface is often fraught with uncertainties about whether the fit will be perfect and complex onsite adjustments are needed, notwithstanding the careful pre-manufacture detailing and templating. FLEX beautifully overcomes construction tolerances and after it is installed, has the impact that it has been made to fit perfectly!
Sustainability: list appropriate certification(s) and describe what makes it sustainable
No volatile compounds (VOCs) are emitted during the production of our materials or during their installed life-cycle. Material is manufactured using environmentally responsible practices to the exact specifications, with very little excess. Our aggressive and targeted sample program utilizes the little extra that we may produce. Flex is produced using responsibly procured raw materials with a minimum of 20% recycled content. Flex is designed in and exclusively manufactured by Sensitile in the USA
