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Museums offer visitors a visual experience made possible with ideal lighting solutions. SEFAR® Architecture LIGHTFRAME® was chosen to illuminate the displays at the Tate Gallery of Modern Art, allowing works from Van Gogh to Warhol.
The museum’s designers, Herzog & de Meuron, were looking for uniform illumination throughout the Tate Gallery, from both natural skylight and artificial light sources. The design of the ten-story Switch House provided a natural light solution, balancing a brick façade with extensive window areas and allowing balanced sunlight into the exhibit areas.
LIGHTFRAME illuminated modular fabric ceiling system provided artificial light transmission with uniform distribution. The filigree light-metal frames create a uniform luminous ceiling that appears weightless while ensuring the priceless exhibits are seen in their true colors.
The fabric fields were intended to be as large as possible, but the modules also had to be transported to the fifth floor of the new building in an elevator. The modules measure up to 4.20 m-by-2.20 m. These functional LIGHTFRAME modules are easily hinged open – allowing access for maintenance of the system. The product’s unique secondary membrane allows it to evenly diffuse light while improving acoustics. The dual membrane system prevents the penetration of debris and bugs, as well.
LIGHTFRAME also provides long-lasting resistance to UV light and does not yellow over time. The low-maintenance material resists moisture and dirt, meets all fire code requirements, and is free of VOCs. In the event of a fire, the membranes used with this product produce very little smoke, and instead of dripping, they dissipate.
The extension of Tate Modern was completed in 2016. The project team included architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, London, and contractor Architen Landrell, Chepstow, U.K.
SEFAR Architecture is a manufacturer of monofilament precision and ePTFE yarn fabrics and fabric systems for interior and exterior architectural applications.