MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD

In f la table L iv ing Spaces:Bubble Lodges from France

Unbeatable Innovat ions:Developments from Europe

Portable Fables:Luxurious Handbags from I ta ly

PVC TODAYPVC ONLINE

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CrEatINg POSSIBILItIES tOgEtHEr · wINtEr 2010

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This life raft is exceptionally stable in water thanks to the robust external covering of PVC-coated textile fabric as well as the effective ballasting.

When the Best Matters Most

Our society has come to depend on products of the best design in dangerous or critical situations. Scientifically tested medical products accelerate

the healing process. Reliable safety products reduce risks on the road, at work, or during leisure activities. In the event of serious accident, we trust

proven applications to limit damage. In this article we will introduce some of the technologies we depend on every day. Everyone of which relies on

flexible PVC, a material with outstanding technical properties.

OUtStaNDINg INNOVatIONIn January 2010 the European vinyl manufacturer SolVin inaugurated its fourth annual ‘Award for

PVC Innovation’. The winners of the competition were announced on October 28th at the K2010 Inter-

national Plastics Trade Fair in Düsseldorf, Germany. Five prizes totalling €100,000 were awarded for

the best projects in terms of Innovation (with gold, silver and bronze divisions), Creative Design, and

Recycling.

Bracelets, earrings and necklaces: Jewellery made of PVC is inspired by the ocean and is extremely creative. Little wonder that the ‘Creative Design SolVin Award 2010’ went to Molusk of Paris.

The Aircast Air-Stirrup ankle brace by the

American company DJO Inc. has been

used successfully to treat ankle injuries

since 1978. It is an example of the high per-

formance of medical products manufactured

with flexible PVC. The anatomically designed

shell of this brace fits the shape of the ankle

perfectly. It has an interior air-cushioning sys-

tem with two pre-inflated overlapping aircells

of flexible PVC film made by the company

RENOLIT AG. The brace provides great com-

fort and promotes blood circulation so that

swelling and pain are minimised, making it a

medical application with a proven track record.

It is one of the many flexible PVC products

in the field of medicine which have met the

highest safety and quality standards for over

50 years.

to chemicals, acids, and bacteria. In the every-

day life of the household, too, products made

of this superior material are taken for granted

and are always there when needed. Cold com-

presses are a good example of this. Whenever

we suffer from headache or uncomfortable

swelling, ice-cold compresses made of pliable

soft PVC film are ready to hand in the freezer

to alleviate our pain. PVC products are even

recommended for allergy sufferers, thanks to

their outstanding material properties.

Safe and Reliable

PVC flooring has been a standard building

material in healthcare facilities for decades. It

is extremely easy to maintain due to its almost

non-porous surface, and can be manufactured

in numerous attractive designs. Fittings and

fixtures for medical treatment such as mas-

sage tables with supple upholstery made of

artificial leather has become a mainstay of

Proven Millions of Times Over

Blood bags made of PVC are biocompatible,

prevent blood coagulation, and prolong the

life of blood. Pliable, flexible PVC tubing for

infusions and transfusions deliver supplies of

fluids and blood to patients in need. Dispos-

able hygienic products such as PVC gloves are

almost completely impermeable and resistant

Images seen around the world: Oil barriers, many of them made of PVC-coated textile fabric, prevented oil from washing ashore in the Gulf of Mexico.

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rehabilitation facilities. ‘Skai’ artificial leather

manufactured by Konrad Hornschuch AG has

proven its superiority in the medical field.

It holds up under constant disinfectant use,

is easy to clean and long-lasting. It satisfies

the strict requirements of Germany’s Medi-

cal Product Law and has outstanding hygi-

enic properties. High-quality surfaces with the

look of leather are available in many modern

designs.

Effective Protection at Work

There are many products on the market, not

a few of which are made of flexible PVC, that

help to prevent physical injury. For exam-

ple, high-visibility clothing for workers in

waste management or at construction sites

heightens the level of safety. The reflectors

are made of special PVC film that assures

being seen at a distance. The same applies

to reflective PVC film for cycling trouser clips

or athletic armbands.

Welding curtains made of PVC film have been

A record 141 projects were submitted from

companies throughout the entire vinyl

supply chain, 40% more than in the pre-

vious year. This can-do response attests to

the vitality of the European vinyl industry and

its capacity for innovation and creativity in

new applications and products.

Contributing to Sustainable Development

The independent jury, composed of five

prominent industry members, nominated 23

projects in the three categories. The winning

projects included improved window insula-

tion, natural fibre-composites, bio-based

additives, super energy-efficient piping sys-

tems, and enhanced, integrated materials

recycling. During the awards ceremony for

the five winners, the jury honoured innova-

tions highlighting the important contribution

of vinyl to sustainable development, which

incorporate ecological efficiency, creative

design, and improvements to the quality of

life.

www.solvinaward.com

cal systems from the spreading oil slick. One

such measure was the installation of oil bar-

riers, a proven solution in such situations,

these consist primarily of yellow- and orange-

coloured tubes made of a PVC-coated textile

fabric. The inflatable or foam-filled tubes float

on the water and keep the oil from spreading

further. The tubes ride deep enough into the

providing optimal work protection for years.

These screens shield surrounding work areas

from sparks, molten splatter, and hazardous

glare.

Reliable in Emergency Situations

Safety ought to be our first consideration

during leisure activities. We would not want

our children to go swimming without reliable

water wings or inflatable pool rings. Many

of these robust safety devices are made of

PVC film, which remains airtight and buoyant

in dangerous situations. The same goes for

the inflatable life rafts that are the last resort

when a boat sinks or capsizes and passengers

have to get to safety without delay. It is reas-

suring to know that the raft is made of high-

quality material that can withstand even the

most treacherous weather.

Life rafts manufactured by Plastimo are the

only ones made with an elaborate double-

hull construction. Even children or injured

people can activate the simple mechanism

that inflates the raft in an emergency. The

tough outer-shell of the life raft consists of

a PVC-coated textile fabric which offers the

greatest possible protection from abrasions

and leaks. The fabric is neither heat-sealed

nor bonded together – as is often the case

with other designs – but carefully sewn. It pro-

tects the inner tube, a waterproof air chamber

with exceptionally high elasticity. The survival

system is equipped with large ballast bags

weighted with lead to prevent capsizing even

in high waves, rendering the rafts extremely

stable in water. Because of their excellent tech-

nical specifications, Plastimo offers a 12-year

guarantee on the rafts with the only condition

that they are maintenanced every three years

by a licensed Plastimo partner. Buyers can be

sure that if worse comes to the worst they will

have a product on board offering the highest

possible chances of survival.

The Right Choice for Oil Spills

The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion

in the Gulf of Mexico caused an urgent need

for measures that could effectively protect

miles of beaches and their sensitive ecologi-

Phot

os:

Mol

usk/

SolV

in

Elastic PVC flooring is ideally suited for use in hospitals. It is very easy to clean thanks to its almost non-porous surface, which meets the highest standards of hygiene.

water that the oil cannot seep under them. If

the weather conditions are reasonably calm,

the barriers constitute an outstanding solution

for environmental protection. Demand for the

barriers became so great in the Gulf of Mexico

that they sold out and manufacturers had to

expand production. Images of the colourful

barriers floating on the water along the coast-

line were broadcast around the world.

www.renolit.com, www.hornschuch.de

Massage tables with supple artificial-leather upholstery offer patients greater comfort while also maintaining hygiene.

Phot

o: D

J Ortho

pedi

cs, USA

Safety first: Water wings made of PVC film allow for the utmost safety in the water, as this material is airtight.

This ankle brace provides rigidity while facilitating the healing process after injuries. The shell is lined with inflat-able aircells made of flexible PVC film for comfortable, cushioned support.

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mbH

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onra

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AG

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Gold

Georg Fischer Deka (Germany): Innovative

photo-bioreactors made of 100% transparent

PVC pipes and fittings, designed for growing

micro-algae

Silver

Rohm and Haas (France): SureCelTM, a break-

through in processing aid technology achiev-

ing a 20% material savings in the manufacture

of foamed PVC profiles

Bronze

Alkor Draka (France): the stretched PVC ceil-

ing system, combining optimal fire resistance

with zero smoke emission

Recycling

profine (Germany): the ‘KBE System_88 mm’

window and door system, compounded of up

to 50% recycled PVC

Creative Design

Molusk (France): aquatic jewellery made of

PVC

The winners of the ‘SolVin Award for PVC Innovation 2010’

4

IMPrINt

Publisher in Germany:

PVCplus

Kommunikations GmbH

Am Hofgarten 1-2

D-53113 Bonn

Telephone: +49-2 28-23 10 05

Fax: +49-2 28-538 95 96

E-Mail: pvcplus@pvcplus.de

Internet: www.pvcplus.de

Contact: Werner Preusker

Publisher in Switzerland:

PVCH-Arbeitsgemeinschaft

der Schweizerischen

PVC-Industrie

c/o KVS

Schachenallee 29c

CH-5000 Aarau

Telephone: +41-62 832 7060

Fax: +41-62 834 0061

E-Mail: info@pvch.ch

Internet: www.pvch.ch

Contact: Norbert Helminiak

Publisher in Europe:

The European Council of Vinyl

Manufacturers

Avenue E Van Nieuwenhuyse

4 Box 4

B-1160 Brussels

Telephone: +32-2 792 75 25

Fax: +32-2 676 7447

E-Mail: info@vinyl2010.org

Internet: www.ecvm.org

Contact: Helmuth Leitner

Total number of copies: 5,500

Created by: www.hl-dialog.de

Cover picture: Boy with a Cold

Compress, Ralph Richter

EDItOrIaL

FOr aLL PUrPOSESWhether it is small accidents, health problems, or full-blown disas-

ters, all of us depend on products that must prove their reliability

in diverse situations. Often we trust ourselves to devices made of

flexible PVC. We place cold compresses made of reusable, pliable

PVC film next to painful swellings. Our children wear water wings of

robust PVC film that keep their heads above water. We barricade our

beaches behind kilometres-long PVC barriers that hold back seeping

oil threatening ecologically sensitive coastline.

Many other products made of PVC are characterised by their superior

social benefits. Inflatable noise dampers made of PVC membranes

are the ideal solution to protect people from temporary noise from

construction sites and sports fields. According to research carried out

by the University of Stuttgart and the Fraunhofer Institute for Building

Physics, these ultra-light systems offer as much sound-proofing as

massive barriers made of concrete.

Quite different product designs satisfy our longing for aesthetic delight

and a touch of luxury. The magical Italian handbags designed by Furla

are a classic example. They would make anyone’s heart beat faster

who in their youth were enchanted by the tale of Dorothy and the

Wizard of Oz. A series of scenes featuring the fable’s most important

characters adorn the new handbag collection made of PVC-coated

textile fabric. Or consider CristalBubbles (shown on the back cover),

which combines the experience of the wild with maximum comfort.

These outsized, inflatable, fully furnished mobile bubbles might well

be compared to hotel rooms.

In this edition, too, the articles again showcase the versatile possibili-

ties of flexible PVC. If you know of any unusual products or admirable

projects involving the use of flexible PVC, simply contact us. Share

your experience with the many other readers of ‘PVC TODAY’. We

welcome your comments and suggestions.

Werner Preusker

Norbert Helminiak

Helmuth Leitner

Editors of PVC TODAY

‘Climate Capsules’, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg: Escape through the emergency exit into the ‘shelter’: the ham-mock in ‘Oasis No. 7’ by Haus-Rucker-Co on the outside wall of the Museum.(Materials: transparent PVC film, white-coated fabric, steel construction, hammock, two artificial palm trees, emergency exit sign, diameter approximately 7 m)

Obviously thrilled by the green and blue desk mats (!): Pupils from Alterswil enjoy working on their new desk mats.

Pupils from Grade 1C in Buttisholz, Switzerland can now write more easily thanks to soft desk mats.

They received the practical writing mats from the PVCH Working Group of the Swiss PVC industry.

This was reason enough for the children to send heartfelt thanks to the sponsors.

PUPILS SEND tHaNkS

5

Phot

os:

Pete

r Hal

ter

Scho

ol a

nd A

lter

swil,

PVC

H

The ‘Climate Capsules’ exhibition in the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg was not prima-

rily about sustainability or recycling – even if the title perhaps led you to believe this. It dealt with

plastic material in the visual arts. It also involved PVC material as plastic in the artistic sense, or as

an important part of any strategy of surviving advancing climate change.

Climate Capsules: Means of Surviving Dis-

aster’ was an impressive exhibition which,

based on 30 models from art, architecture,

and design, demonstrated how people could

adapt to specific climatic conditions. Visitors

were invited to wear climate clothing, to try

out body and living capsules, and to mar-

vel at floating cities and nature capsules. The

concept of curator Friedrich von Borries was

grounded in the question of what daily life

would look like if climate change became a

reality. One famous example is the spaceship-

like ‘Futuro’ house by Matti Suuronen from

1968.

Inflatable Oasis

Even before entering, the visitor’s eye is

arrested by a transparent sphere made of PVC

film installed on the museum building. ‘Oasis

No. 7’ is the name of the balloon-like capsule,

which had been shown at documenta 5 in

Kassel in 1972 by the Haus-Rucker-Co group

of Austrian architects and artists. In Hamburg,

visitors were able to enter the sphere on the

second floor of the museum through an airlock

and relax in a hammock suspended between

two trees. Ironically, the entrance to the cap-

sule was designated as an emergency exit.

Professor Günter Zamp Kelp, a member of the

Haus-Rucker-Co group of artists, wished to

avoid promoting the capsule as a kind of idyl-

lic utopia. Visitors ‘were supposed to grapple

with this reality and not flee from it’, he said.

Vacuum-Packed Peanuts

The artist Lawrence Malstaf offered a spe-

cial kind of performance. In his exhibit enti-

tled ‘Shrink’, the visitors placed themselves

between two pieces of bonded PVC film. The

air was then removed so that the individual

was shrink-y wrapped like ‘peanuts in a pack-

age’. With the help of a hose, the vacuum-

packed person used an air bubble as his only

oxygen supply. While onlookers may have felt

claustrophobic, many participants reported

the experience as relaxing. One had to trust

Phot

o: P

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ive

Inst

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, ©

Law

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‘Climate Capsules’, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg: Lawrence Malstaf depicts the feeling of weightlessness and security through his full-body capsule ‘Shrink’.

Pupils from Grade 1C in Buttisholz thank PVCH for their donation of desk mats.

In the realM of ClIMate Capsules

and surrender completely to what was hap-

pening. Lawrence Malstaf has been perform-

ing this installation since 1995. A video is

available on YouTube (search phrase: ‘Law-

rence Malstaf Shrink’). Certainly the displays

did not demonstrate viable options in case of

either a sudden or gradual ecological catas-

trophe. Nevertheless, they graphically evoked

the wealth of feelings we would have had if

we actually had to make do without essential

resources.

http://www.klimakapseln.de

Phot

o: D

enni

s Co

nrad

customers. ‘In the beginning there were only

small orders, but now we also receive inquir-

ies to supply entire schoolhouses. In total,

we have manufactured and distributed 28,500

desk mats free of charge’, reports Norbert

Helminiak, Chairman of Management at PVCH

in Aarau. The Working Group has invested

approximately €110,000 in production and

shipping so far.

Pupils and Teachers Thrilled

The popular mats consist of a thick inner foil

which is heat-sealed inside thin flexible-PVC

film in blue or green. Teachers prefer this sim-

ple version so that pupils are not distracted

from their lessons. Placed under the children’s

notebooks and colouring pads, the writing

mats protect school desks from scrapes and

scratches. In addition, the recyclable mats are

easy to clean and long-lasting. And they bring

colour to the classroom. Schools that cannot

Peter Halter School: The desk mats from PVCH provide children with a soft and comfortable writing surface while protect-ing desks from damage.

afford desk mats due to limited budgets

are greatly benefitted. The many thanks and

positive reactions received from schools are

a testament to their success.

www.pvch.ch

Buttisholz is not the first recipient of the

colourful writing mats. Many schools and

preschools have been given them free

of charge since 2002. Initially, PVCH mem-

ber companies distributed the writing mats

themselves to institutions in their local areas.

Eventually, as the project developed on its own

without advertising, PVCH took over delivery.

More and more teachers have turned to the

Swiss PVC industry, including many residual

6

Many people are disturbed by the ever-present noise from road, air, and rail traffic. According

to a survey of 2,000 adults by Germany’s Federal Environment Agency (UBA), approximately

60 percent of the population finds road traffic in their neighbourhoods intrusive. At the same

time, transient and shifting sources of noise due to construction, outdoor concerts, and sport-

ing events have become increasingly annoying. Noise insulation elements made of film and

PVC-coated membranes produce amazing results in this type of situation.

among them inflatable noise barriers made

with PVC-coated polyester fabric.

Light and Flexible

In principle, the ultra-light noise barriers work

using membranes quite like those in an air

mattress. The PVC-coated membranes of vari-

ous shapes and sizes make versatile design

components, and can quickly be inflated by a

compressor. The noise-damping effect of the

bivalve shell is customizable by varying the

shape, arrangement, and number of air cham-

bers. In addition, noise absorption can also be

controlled by the texture of the exterior sur-

face and the air pressure inside the membrane

shell. In this way, the system is adaptable to

different kinds of noise.

As Good as Concrete

The portable sound barriers were subjected to

multifarious challenges in tests at a number

of construction sites. The results were quite

Noise barriers alongside motorways,

sound-proof plastic window systems, and

well-insulated façades have proven to be

effective solutions when noise becomes a

problem. Noise reduction for transient acoustic

disturbances that nonetheless constitute seri-

ous nuisances is not easy. For example, light-

weight plastic walls, mineral-fibre cushions,

and sand-filled tarpaulins have been resorted

to in the past, but these solutions are often too

complicated to implement and are impracticle.

Simple, flexible, cost-effective portable prod-

ucts are greatly in demand. Schew-Ram Mehra,

Professor of Acoustics at the University of

Stuttgart in Germany, together with acousti-

cians at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building

Physics (IBP) have tackled this problem. As

part of a research project lasting several years,

they examined numerous protective systems,

Phot

os:

ECVM

In April 2010 London’s Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital officially opened the doors of its

state-of-the-art Outpatient Assessment Centre. The new building offers modern healthcare to

patients, including clinical fittings and facilities for X-ray and ultrasound imaging, orthotics,

occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and pre-operative assessment. The use of vinyl in the

interior design meets the high standards of the healthcare facility in terms of both durability

and aesthetics.

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital

(RNOH), founded in 1905, is the largest

orthopaedic hospital in the UK and regarded

as a world leader in the field of orthopaedics.

The architectural design of the hospital incorpo-

rates both marketable flats and rooms for out-

patient services. Once completed, the building

will host 100 residential units and a three-

storey Outpatient Centre for the Hospital. The

existing waiting hall will be retained and used

for office space.

Outstanding Patient Care

The opening of the Outpatient Assessment

Centre in Bolsover Street marks an important

step in the overall renovation of the RNOH.

Developed in partnership with Ridgeford Prop-

erties Ltd and Manhattan Loft Corporation and

designed by HOK Architects, it is a landmark

in the design aspirations of the NHS Trust.

Hospital Chief Executive Rob Hurd states, ‘It

is our absolute priority to provide outstanding

patient care and this centre will have a huge

impact on our patients’ experience’.

Imaginative noise reduction: Inflatable noise barriers can also be created individually in order to bring more life to cities.

A large play area with lots of space enhances the experience of children who visit the new Outpa-tient Assessment Centre in central London.

a NEw PatIENt ExPErIENCE

portaBle noIse BarrIers

Installing in-flatable PVC membranes such as these at a construction site keeps acoustic disturbances to a minimum.

Phot

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rank

Sch

mid

t, T

rebs

en

Phot

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raun

hofe

r IB

P

Design Life

The materials were chosen to accord with

government specifications following a green

approach, and products were selected to meet

the building standards of the London authori-

ties. The design life of the materials used in

this project is intended to conform to the

British ’Guide to Durability of Buildings and

Building Elements, Products and Components’

building standard. The new building at Bols-

over Street has received an overall rating of

excellent by the NHS Environmental Assess-

ment Tool (NEAT).

Aesthetics meets Functionality

HOK Architects chose vinyl materials for the

flooring, wall coverings, and children’s play

area; it was an optimal solution in terms of

both aesthetic and environmental impact.

Durable vinyl flooring in attractive finishes is

almost non-porous and easy to clean, mini-

mizing maintenance costs throughout the

MagIC wONDErSimpressive. ‘Our membrane walls produce the

same protection as massive noise barriers

made of concrete and are several times lighter’,

stated Professor Mehra. The bivalve structure

creates a sound insulation gradient of almost

20 decibels. And because of its light weight

it is easily assembled and dismantled. It is a

great advantage in dealing with transient noise

sources when quick, flexible, and economic

solutions are required. For good reason this

noise abatement system has now received

the German ‘Landmarks in the Land of Ideas’

award.

The manufacturer, the company CENO Mem-

brane Technology, is a cooperative enterprise

product life cycle. At the same time, the vinyl

applications meet high aesthetic standards

for interior design, and soothingly promote

the healing process of patients. It is just the

right balance between aesthetics and building

standards.

www.rnoh.nhs.uk

Effective noise abatement at construction sites. The port-able barriers are easy to install and quick to adjust when construction noise changes direction.

and licensed partner of the Fraunhofer Insti-

tute. Convinced of the advantages of their

ultra-light system, the company has offered

the noise abatement system in modular form

since 2008. But the possibilities are far from

exhausted.

A Look into the Future

The future development of overarching inflat-

able structures for entire construction sites or

other transient noise sources is conceivable;

this is an area with considerable potential for

innovation.

http://www.ibp.fraunhofer.de/akustik,

www.ceno-tec.de

For the interior design HOK Architects chose vinyl applications for the flooring, wall coverings, and in the children’s play area, not only because of easy maintenance but also to create a friendly and aesthetic atmosphere.

The new collection,

called ‘Furla Tal-

ent Hub’ by

the Italian hand-

bag manufac-

turer, carries us

away to Dor-

othy’s wonder-

land and involves

us in her adventures.

All motifs depicted on

the bags retell the tale

in a suite of scenes

and a parade of char-

acters. We instantly

recognise the house in which our heroine was lofted away to a transcendent

reality. Not only Dorothy but also her fabulous companions the Cowardly Lion,

the Tin Man and the Scarecrow are represented in these vivid depictions

composed of all colours of the rainbow.

Enchanting Collection

Established in 1927, with its long tradition of

craftsmanship Furla produces some of the

world’s most elegant, high-quality hand-

bags made of exquisite materials and

designed for tasteful refinement. It

now incorporates the recent

fairytale collection by the Italian

fashion designers Fabio Sasso

and Juan Caro, creators of the

fashion trademark ‘Leitmotif’.

The wide range of products

comprises handbags of various

shapes and sizes made of high-

quality PVC-coated textile fab-

ric. Whether on elegant shopping

bags, petite evening pocketbooks

or spacious satchels, these suitable

companions are available for every

occasion. Exactingly designed fea-

tures like extravagant shoulder straps

and bag clasps with charming crystal

balls attest to a loving care for detail.

The product line includes umbrellas, leather

gloves, watches, scarves and many other

accessories besides handbags.

www.furla.com

Some literary masterpieces never lose their fascination even after 100 years.

Undoubtedly “The Wizard of Oz” by American author Lyman Frank Baum belongs in

this category. It is the enchanting story of Dorothy, who is borne away by a tornado to

a world of magic wonders. Italian manufacturer Furla has now dedicated to Baum’s

classic tale a special collection of its handbags made of PVC-coated canvas.

Young Dorothy with her iconic ruby slippers is at the centre of this shoulder bag. The colourful handbag made of PVC-coated textile fabric is held shut by a crystal ball.

This delicately crafted evening pocketbook made of PVC-coat-ed canvas shows Dorothy in the midst of her magical fairyland.

Unusual shape, unusual motif: The Scare-crow on this enchanting handbag is one of the main characters from “The Wizard of Oz”.

Phot

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Furla

S.p.

A.

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Phot

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IMMedIate experIenCe of nature

He originally intended the CristalBubble as a

kind of winter garden designed to furnish

a comfortable outing in the back yard in

those first sunny but still chilly days of spring.

As Dumas explained, ‘My basic idea was to

allow for a maximum amount of comfort and

direct experience in nature with minimal use

of energy and materials’. The idea has resulted

in an entire product line for various occasions

and target groups with the potential of becom-

ing a real trendsetter.

Unrestricted Panoramic View

An unobstructed view in all directions is made

possible by flexible transparent PVC film and

the special air-renewal system. The inflated

Bubble’s diameter is four metres at the bot-

tom, and the transparent living space is three

metres at the highest point. Installation of

proper flooring is possible, and your imagina-

tion is the limit in furnishing the interior area.

Whether it be a romantic dinner for two, relax-

ing hours by the lake, or a day in your own

colourful autumn garden, the CristalBubble

furnishes a panorama of nature and enjoy-

ment through all the senses.

Refreshing Ventilation

The living space is equipped with an air-renew-

al system which operates continuously when

in use to vent and replenish the air inside. The

process sucks outside air in, whereupon an

air-filtration system removes pollen and other

particulates, while directing clean air into the

CristalBubble. The huge Bubble is thus the

ideal place for allergy sufferers. The system

allows air circulation to be manually control-

led at several power levels. Humidity can also

be regulated. Constant internal air pressure

(slightly higher than atmospheric pressure)

is monitored by an automatic regulator. This

keeps the PVC film taut and wrinkle-free dur-

ing use. The system’s low-noise motor outside

the Bubble is energy-efficient – using between

70 and 90 watts.

A Comfortable Lodge

To savour starlit nights to the full, Dumas

developed variations of his magical Cristal-

This BubbleLodge consists of two Bub-bles: a completely transparent living area and a semi-transparent second one providing a separate sleeping area. White PVC film over the lower half of the sleeping Bubble provides privacy.

The ante-chambered air-trap entrance prevents air from escaping when going in or out of the CristalBubble. If entering from the outside, you first close the outer door behind you, then open the inner door into the living space.

Both cosy and trendy: The Honeymoon BubbleLodge. The bed is filled with air and made of 100-percent PVC.

CristalBubble: In the midst of nature with maximum comfort. Blissfully relaxing days like these leave strong memories.

Bubble. He redesigned its lower section with

white PVC film to create visual privacy from

prying neighbours. The transparent upper sec-

tion remains unchanged – an ideal solution

allowing for more seclusion while experienc-

ing nature. A modular second Bubble that

functions as either a bath- or bedroom can be

added-on to make an extended BubbleLodge.

The ensemble is comparable to a hotel room

en suite.

Rental Service Available

The French designer rents his unusual Bubbles

for special events. Modular Bubbles of various

sizes are combined to create extraordinary

venues for festive occasions or business func-

tions. Dumas has captured the spirit of the

times with another new idea: a BubbleRoom

to be rented with breakfast for a weekend in

France. It is an attractive offer for adventur-

ous weekend vacationers who enjoy being

immersed in nature. ‘The response has been

impressive. People from the city especially

enjoy experiencing nature directly for two

days at a time without giving up comfort’,

says Dumas. A BubbleLodge is even available

for honeymooners!

www.bubbletree.fr

Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Schweizerischen PVC-Industrie

CHPan initiative of the pVC industry

The CristalBubble is a magical sphere in nature with an unrestricted 360-degree panoramic view. Through this innovative product made of trans-

parent PVC film the French designer Pierre Stéphane Dumas has succeeded in combining supposed opposites: immediate experience of the wild

and maximum comfort.