Cellular polycarbonate wall

A translucent, ultra-light partition: cellular polycarbonate panels — close parallel air cells — clipped into aluminium profiles. It lets light through while diffusing it, insulates thanks to the cells and weighs very little, going up dry. It is the wall of light: office partitions, halls, greenhouses, industrial façades. Its rule: polycarbonate expands a lot, so it must be free to move.

A cellular polycarbonate wall is a translucent, ultra-light partition: plastic panels with a cellular structure — close parallel air cells — clipped into aluminium profiles. It lets light through while diffusing it, insulates thanks to the cells and weighs very little, going up dry. It is the wall of light: office partitions, halls, greenhouses, industrial façades.

The secret is the cellular structure: the internal air cells diffuse the light — no glare, a soft, even brightness — and at the same time insulate, because still air slows the heat. The more internal walls the panel has (2, 3, 5 walls), the more it insulates. All while staying translucent and very light.

Polycarbonate expands with temperature far more than glass or metal: a panel can grow by centimetres between winter and summer. If it is fixed rigidly, it bows or cracks. So the profiles and fixings let the panel slide, with slots and calculated gaps; it is the golden rule of laying.

It is fitted dry, snapped into the profiles, with sealing gaskets; it is demountable and re-configurable. The sun-facing side has a UV treatment, because without it the panel yellows and turns brittle over time. It is combustible but in a better class than many plastics; on escape routes and in large spaces the fire requirements must be checked.