Ombrae Pixilated Material

This is a really interesting new material made from tiny, pixilated optical tiles called Ombrae.


Ombrae is made by using a software-based image generating process. It is not a coating but an image that is translated onto an array of optical tiles. This translation is possible by casting or machining into concrete, glass, metal, composites or fabrics at any scale - as large as the side of a building or as small as the sole of a shoe.

Each optical tile is a beveled, cylindrical “pixel” with an angled surface that reflects a particular, precisely determined amount of light. This array of optical tiles literally sculpts the reflected light into an image.

For me, it needs to be seen to really grasp how this is made and what can be done. Their site explains things perhaps a little better than I can. What an interesting and innovative new product.

• Posted by Jennifer at 12:30 pm
• Tagged: Architectural