Architecture

Interior / Exterior

We find beauty not only in the thing itself but in the

pattern of the shadows, the light and darkness which
that thing provides.
Tanizaki junichiro

Funnel umbrella, Caf Mozart, Vienna

Light-technical fabrics

The reintroduction and increasing

demand for long-lasting products
makes the application of high-quality
materials possible. They can continually
satisfy both functional and aesthetic
expectations.
A new generation of fabrics
High-tech fabrics are being increasingly
employed in modern architecture.
In partnership with lighting specialists
and polymer experts, Sefar has created
a new generation of fabrics. Special
finishing and coating techniques ensure
a high UV durability without fading,
while the materials remain extremely
tough and long-lasting. All fabrics in
the SEFAR Architecture range are
highly flame-resistant (B1 according
to DIN standard 4102), producing
nearly no smoke and absolutely free
of burning droplets.

Diffuse light
SEFAR Architectural Fabrics achieve
light transmission rates of 90%.
The transmitted light contains a high
proportion of diffused light, also
known as scattered light. This gives a
balanced illumination by reducing
contrasts, especially in shaded areas.
The fabric gives the impression of
being a light source yet functions as a
light diffuser for both natural daylight
and artificial lighting. Depending on
the choice of fabric, the character of
the textile can be either enhanced or
reduced.

Glass
Glass has a poor light-scattering surface.
The amount of dispersion is < 2%

Useful adjustments
An interesting additional feature:
since it is possible to control light and
sound atmospheres, deficits resulting
from other factors such as imperfect
functional or climatic conditions can
be compensated for.

Fabric
Fabric has the ability to disperse light in
multiple directions. A fabric surface with a
single light source behind it appears uniformly
illuminated. Perceived brightness by humans
is known as luminous density. The rays of light
landing on fabric are reflected, scattered and
deflected, or broken.

Acoustic Lighting, DER Veg Restaurant,

Sihlcity, Zurich
Cover picture: Reflection and Acoustic Screens at PwC, Dublin, Rep. Ireland
(Cover picture small: aeronautec)

Acoustic fabrics

Building trends and good acoustics

Construction using fabrics has many
advantages. In addition to the benefits
of being both light in weight and
aesthetically pleasing, they also satisfy
an increasing demand for materials
providing light-technical and acoustic
solutions.
Compared with the traditional, hard
building products like concrete, glass
and metal, SEFAR Architectural Fabrics
are light, soft and reminiscent of
organic materials. The impressions
they create lead to some surprising
and innovative designs. A good
acoustic solution is always aligned with
the functional purpose of the room.

Sound levels, reverberation

and ambient noise quality
Although sound levels have a relative,
technical value measured in decibels
(dB), they have a psychoacoustic
volume when perceived by an
individual. What is discomforting or
even painful for some puts others into
an ecstatic state. Rooms which have
poor reverberation such as open halls
are often perceived as uncomfortable.
The most important acoustic criterion
is therefore the reverberation duration.
With sound absorption materials such
as acoustically efficient, single or
double-layer stretched fabrics, the
ambient noise quality in work or
leisure areas can be radically improved.

Sound absorption without lost

of light
The acoustic effectiveness of perforated
or open-pored fabrics depends on
both the nature and size of the
perforations with coated fabrics or
on the structure of uncoated fabric.
Sound absorption can be drastically
improved using a double-layer construction. A second layer of translucent
stretched fabric, functioning as a
reflector and in a limited capacity as
a resonator, is set at a calculated
distance from the real fabric surface.
Light penetrability can also be
influenced.

With Sefar fabrics you can target room

acoustics directly. Different types of
fabrics present new possibilities.

Acoustic pressure

For further details of the application

of photometric and acoustic fabrics
in system solutions provided by
SEFAR Architecture Solutions, please
refer to the Architecture Solutions
Light Frame brochure.

IA-80-CL
woven pore structure
With/without
translucent membrane

IA-85-OP
perforated pore
structure

Direct sound
Early reflections
Sound
Reverberation

Artificial light source

between wall/ceiling

Translucent
fabric surface

Non-transparent wall/ceiling
(e.g. concrete, plasterboard)

Time
Direct sound
Directly received sound without noise reflection
Reflection
Noise is reverted back.
Reverberation
Sequence of repeated noise reflections, indirect
reverberation.

Daylight
Sound
Translucent
fabric surface

Artificial light
between ceiling/roof

Transparent ceiling/roof
(e.g. glass)

With/without
translucent ET-membrane

PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) and PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride)

the optimum combination of aesthetics and functionality
Material properties
UV and weather resistant

Foldable but resistant to breaking

Life expectancy > 25 years

Free from toxic or carcinogenic softening

agents

High light transmission, high diffusion

of light with minimal color displacement

Chemically inert (non-reactive)

therefore beneficial to the environment
Physiologically agreeable

Aesthetic, fabric in both look and feel

Color- fast and non-yellowing

Very high tensile strength with low weight

Highly resistant to acidity and alkalinity

Odor-free

Highly flame-resistant according

to DIN 4102-1/B1, no burning droplets;
producing nearly no smoke

Water and snow repellent

Strength
Fire resistance

10

Color-fastness

Printability

Temperature resistance

8
7

Fold ability

UV-resistance

6
5
4

Dirt repulsion

Weather resistance

3
2
1

Water column

Acid resistance

Light transmission

Alkali resistance

Chlorine resistance

Weld ability

Laser cutting*

Bonding
Stitching

Hot cutting*

Cold cutting

PTFE with fluoropolymer coating

PTFE
PVDF with fluoropolymer coating
PVDF

PVDF molecule (C2 H2 F2 )

PTFE molecule (C2 F4)

10 = excellent properties
0 = poor properties
* gas extraction system required

C C

Here the carbon molecular bonds

are relatively well-protected by fluorine atoms.
This gives PDVF properties which are similar
to PTFE.

C C

Here the carbon molecular bonds

are fully protected by the fluorine atoms.
This gives PTFE its unique properties.

blue = hydrogen atoms

green = fluorine atoms

black = carbon atoms

Interior

Light fitted-ceiling Autohof, Frankfurt

Central hall illumination Art in construction,

Neue Spinnerei Jenny, Ziegelbrcke

Printed fabric elements, Achema 2009

exhibition stand, Frankfurt

Textile architecture for indoor areas,

employing SEFAR Architecture Interior
Line, makes it possible to create new
designs which are both visually
attractive and functional.
From constructions illuminated from
the front or behind to lighting controls
for programmable light moods, right
up to color temperature controls and
dynamic scene sequences it is all
possible.

PVDF as a high light transmitting

fluoropolymer deployed in photometric fabrics permits a high degree of
diffusion of both artificial and natural
light without color displacement.
The level of spectral transmission and
reflection cannot be achieved with any
other product. This unique feature
allows architects, designers and
lighting planners to set new standards
in optical illumination (e.g. museums,
lamps, illuminated textile surfaces).

Interior Line is the perfect solution for

the highest photometric requirements,
such as in museums, lobbies, showrooms, offices or public buildings.
Architectural design is possible to a
large degree; translucent and opaque
coatings create interesting effects.
Specifically coordinated, perforated
or open-porous fabrics with defined
flow resistance make a measurable
contribution to room acoustics.

6
Picture above: Conference room, Saudi Arabia

Exterior

Communication lounge, Darmstadt

Neuwildenstein Castle,
Upper Austria

Textile architecture for external objects

or areas, employing SEFAR Architecture
Exterior Line, gives the architect or
structural planner new functional and
design possibilities.

The unique, textile material PTFE as a

high optical-transmitting fluoropolymer
makes it possible to construct durable
exterior constructions such as large
umbrellas, sun awnings, roof coverings
and facade adornments.

Structural designers and membrane

constructors are important partners
of Sefar; the material features high
resistance to tearing, low weight
to surface ratio as well as defined
e-module values for warp and weft.

Please also consult the following brochures:

Architecture Solutions
Systems, Light Frame

Architecture Solutions
Vision

The attractive, modular elements for artificial

and natural light effects combined with
improved room acoustics (e.g. light ceilings
and illuminated walls).

Single or double-sided, metallic-coated and

printable fabrics. Effective design possibilities
in conjunction with glass or other transparent
materials (e.g. partitions, room dividers,
facades).

Interior and exterior projects will be

supported by Sefar specialists with
a wealth of experience in this field.
Thanks to an international network
of leading architects and planners with
comprehensive know-how in textile
architecture, you benefit directly from
sound, individual advice.

Fabric tests

Light
Light evokes moods and emotions
as well as having an influence on our
biorhythms with around 80% of the
information we receive being in visual
form.
Light in general terms is the part of
the electromagnetic spectrum which
is visible to the human eye.

Optical spectroscopy concerns itself

with wavelength-dependent
transmissions and reflections (EN 410
250 2500 nm).
Sefar fabrics have the special property
that across the different wavelengths
(especially in the visible region), they
display no significant fluctuations.

Total light received

Absorption

Reflection

Light transmission

Light which penetrates a membrane

is affected by many factors.
The parameters governing the
reflection and absorption properties
of a membrane directly influence
the passage of light (transmission
ASTM D 1003) through a medium.

The human senses can also distinguish

between two other visual phenomena,
namely haze/opacity and clarity.
With haze/opacity, the light passing
through a medium is scattered
uniformly in all directions.
This reduces contrast resulting in a
milky appearance.

The fabrics of the IA Line (Interior

Acoustics) by Sefar have been
developed to attain a high level of
sound absorption while at the same
time possessing excellent photometric
properties. The recorded values serve
as the basis for further acoustic
planning.

Comparison of different fabric types as a double-layer system

Distance fabric foil: 80 mm
Distance foil concrete wall: 300 mm
Degree of noise absorption Alpha s

Acoustics
Sound itself is a pressure variation in
the air. When it meets a surface, part
of the sound is reflected and part is
absorbed. The acoustic measurement
of architecture fabrics takes place in
so-called reverberation chambers (EN
ISO 354) in collaboration with external
institutions.

With clarity, the light passing through

a medium is scattered to a small
degree. Contours are blurred and
appear less sharp.

1.00

IA-80-CL foil/concrete

0.90
0.80
0.70
0.60
0.50

IA-85-OP foil/concrete

0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10

IL-80-OP foil/concrete

0.00
100 125 180 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000 5000 Hz

Frequency

Fire tests
Testing the flammability of fabrics is
most important since safety in cases
of fire is dependent on this.
For the European market, it is the
European Norm EN 13501-1 which
allocates classifications to products
after carrying out the corner fire test,
single burn item (SBI). The rate of heat
and smoke production is determined.
In addition to this, some countries
have national standards to consolidate
the requirements already in place.
For fabrics in the SEFAR Architecture
range, DIN 4102-1 is the most
demanding standard. For the purposes
of testing, the fire is reproduced in
a special chamber. The criteria for the
classification are:
Margins of fire spread and energy
release.
Specifications of burning droplets
and smoke production in the test
certificate.

The American standard ASTM E-84/

NFPA 255 is used to measure the
surface flame spread of materials used
in constructions. The test takes the
form of a ceiling fire simulation, carried
out in what is known as a Steiner
Tunnel, and enables the fire spread
and smoke production indexes to be
calculated.

Owing to its low weight to surface

area ratio, the calorific values for
combustion are correspondingly low
and the very satisfactory test results
show fire-proofing is sufficient in
some cases for objects requiring A2
certification.
SEFAR Architecture Solutions fabrics
are subject to continual testing by
accredited institutions and possess all
the necessary certificates.

Weathering tests
Also known as outdoor weathering,
this involves subjecting samples of
the fabric to outdoor elements, i.e. unfiltered sunlight, natural temperatures
and changes in humidity. The influence
of secondary climatic factors such as
pollutants and airborne particles can
also be tested in an open-air setting
something impossible to recreate
accurately in the laboratory.
Sefar does not rely solely on controlled
laboratory tests but ensures its fabrics
undergo rigorous and lengthy exposure
tests in natural conditions. As a result
of this, we are also able to make
cleaning recommendations specific
to the fabric in question, which ensure
its aesthetic qualities are preserved.

the project thanks to its straightforward

and intuitive handing capabilities.
Creative textile shaping and precise,
technical calculations are cleverly
incorporated into this powerful tool.
On the companys website, you will
find up-to-date and free-of-charge
versions of this benchmark software
to download.

Membrane structures / Convertible constr.

Type

Previous description

Awnings / sun blinds

160

Acoustic screens, awnings

Exhibition stand construction

250

Lamellas structures

Room divider

35/20

Lighting ceiling and walls

800/800

EN ISO 354

85 14 n/a PVDF 100

UL 723/ASTM E84-08, NFPA 701

Weight (g/m2)

IA-85-OP AS 02-70-P

Fabric width (cm)

Trapezoidal Tear (N, ASTM D4851)

250 > 500 160

Water column (mm)

Maximum tensile elongation, warp/weft

(acc. to EN ISO 13934-1, %)

Coating material
(fluoropolymer mix, %)

40/25

Fabric material

1050/1050

Degree of reflection (%)

80 19 n/a PVDF 100

Light transmission rate (%) (ASTM D 1003)

IL-80-OP AL 02-70

SEFAR Architecture
Product references

Maximum tensile strength, warp/weft

(N/5 cm acc. to EN ISO 13934-1, ASTM D4851)

Technical specifications

DIN 4102-1 (B1)/general building-constr. test

Formfinder is a product created by Formfinder

Software GmbH, Vienna

DIN EN 13501-1, B-s1, d0

Formfinder Software
the revolutionary membrane
construction support software
SEFAR Architecture Fabrics are
recommended by leading membrane
construction software developer,
Formfinder, for their consistent and
reproducible specifications. Whether
during the initial, planning or
implementation phase, Formfinder
supports architects at every stage of

I-Line

IA-80-CL AS 02-65-K 80 19 n/a PVDF

1800/1000

35/27

440

270/340

I/E-200-S

200

87 12

PVDF

4200/4500

33/31

990

40 59

PTFE

100

2400/2600

12/19

320 > 2000 160

EL-35-T2 AR 24-25-H 35 64

PTFE

100

4100/4000

23/19

550 > 3000 160

EL-30-T1-UV

30 69

PTFE

100

2000/1800

13/12

320 > 2000 160

EL-55-T0

55 44

PTFE

100

1500/1600

7/9

250 > 2000 160

E-Line
EL-40-T1 AR 24-25

TENARA

Fabric

4T20HF

19 79

PTFE

100

4000/4000

798 1080 10 000 157,5

4T40HF

38 59

PTFE

100

4000/4000

798 1080 10 000 157,5

General: Standard colour white

Fabric reference

IL-80-OP

4000 Newtons/5 cm
Type

Degree of transmission (%)

4T20HF

High frequency

Degree of transmission (%)

Fabric range
IL = Interior Light
IA = Interior Acoustics
EL = Exterior Light
EH = Exterior Heavy
I / E = Interior / Exterior

Type
OP =
CL =
Tx =
S =

"SEFAR
ARCHITECTURE

opaque
clear
type
Screen

Degree of transmission (%)

80 = e.g. 80% Degree of transmission
Specifications may be modified at any time without advance notice. The textile structure and its feel are state of the art;
slight variations in the appearance of the fabric are due to small differences in raw materials.

10

SEFAR AG
CH-9410
Heiden

P-BAY2606924

Herstellwerk I
Baustoffklasse schwerentflammbar
(DIN 4102-B1)

According to Sir Norman Foster, all the fundamental elements

of a building should have a dual or triple function whenever
possible.
SEFAR Architecture Fabrics meet these stipulations to a high
degree. With their exceptional properties, they improve both
the optical and acoustic qualities of internal and external
spaces.

Light fitted-ceiling Igreja da Santssima

Trindade Sanctuary of Ftima, Portugal

11

Phone direct +41 (0)71 898 56 18

Phone general +41 (0)71 898 51 04
Fax
+41 (0)71 898 58 71
info@sefararchitecture.com
www.sefar.com
www.tenarafabric.com

buobundschiess.ch

Sefar AG
Architecture
Hinterbissaustrasse 12
9410 Heiden
Switzerland