Liquid glass

If the sight of gently waving water calms you, you’ll find this glass development very soothing. This glass, called Lasvit Liquidkristal, is produced with a novel, wavy pattern to it that demands some further attention.

Looking at the glass, it resembles a rippled water surface. The changing thickness of the glass actually gives the viewer the illusion that the surface is moving. Even the slightest change in lighting will dramatically alter the visual effect.

The way the material is shaped is far from your average glass. While the exact method in which it’s made is being kept a secret, it is clear that the producers make use of an innovative process called ‘high precision heat transfer’.

This system allows for a highly targeted production of variable thickness glass. The development is by the Czech firm Lasvit, who collaborated with designer Ross Lovegrove. Czech glassmakers are renowned for high-quality products, and this project highlights just how good they are! During development, the company employed advanced technology to manufacture the transparent and undulating crystalline panels.

Using the mathematics of fluid dynamics, the team investigated how density changes in nature to alter patterns. The results were fed into a computer to generate code that shapes the glass. This is what gives the material its highly realistic watery pattern.

During production, the trick was to use the data generated to control the glass temperature with great precision. Minute changes influence the glass’ thickness and behaviour. The result is a beautiful waving panel that resembles crystal clear sea. Applications are wide-ranging, with large panel sizes, from 80×80 cm up to 270×370 cm.

The materials is also available with a UV-protection film, with a metal coating for all types of architectural designs, and in a matte finish too.

More information and images via the manufacturers.