Black-coated spiral mesh as solar protection

EPFL I Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne

Metal mesh fitted in movable frames is used as versatile and architecturally appealing solar protection at the EPFL in Lausanne.

When refurbishing the former central library on the campus of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), the renowned French architect Dominique Perrault placed his trust in a black-coated spiral mesh to act as solar protection on the ground floor of the building.

A total of 37 large, movable elements each measuring 3.60 m in height and 1.20 m or 2.40 m in width provide a black contrast to the colored glass panels on the façade above them. The Escale 7x1 spiral mesh was tensioned in the steel frames horizontally and vertically by means of eyebolts.