Smart clear-frosting Glass

A high-tech glass that you could change from transparent to frosted with the flick of a switch…

 uses: 

1. home windows (eliminating the need for blinds),

2. Stores fronts (at night), 

3. bathrooms .

How does it work?

Liquid Crystals Displays:
Is a technique that can be found in many of the products that are used nowadays like in calculators, digital clocks and watches, microwave ovens all use liquid crystal displays (LCDs). In these displays, electricity is used to change the shape of the liquid crystals to allow light to pass through, thus forming figures and numbers on the display.


Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals:

The technology behind an LCD is similar to the polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) used in some smart-window applications. In these windows, the liquid crystals respond to an electrical charge by aligning parallel and letting light through. When the electrical charge is absent, the liquid crystals in the window are randomly oriented. With liquid crystals, the glass is either clear or translucent. There are no intermediate settings.


PDLCs and suspended particle devices require power for their smart windows to be transparent. A different smart window technology is in development that would reverse the process.

Source: http://inhabitat.com/super-smart-privacy-glass/privglass-1_copy/

                http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/construction/green/smart-window3.htm

Fabric Shades

Retractable Stairs to Platform Lift

A common roadblock when making a commercial entrance or change in level accessible is making it accessible while still keeping the architectural integrity. Many times ramps can be installed which can easily be made to look appeasing. Platform lifts on the other hand can look very mechanical and garish. There are many ways to make platform lifts look stylish which I have wrote about before. But there is another problem, space. A small or narrow entrance could have room for stairs but no room for a platform lift. What to do then? How about hiding the platform lift under the stairs. Yes you read that right because it can be done with the retractable Stairs and platform lift from the U.K.

Different materials can be used for the stair surfaces to match the surrounding design. Stones, marble, concrete, or wood can all be used. Different stairway platform configurations can be accommodated for. Just look at the pictures and you can what I’m talking about.

video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hvpZmM9iBw

Source: http://www.universaldesignstyle.com/sesame-retractable-stairs-to-platform-lift/

Leisure Center and accessibility

Accessibility

Pool hoist:

is a machine that works as an elevator or left, for people with special needs in a swimming pools..

Ramp access

Disabled toilet

Disabled changing facilities

Wheelchair access to poolside facilities

I'll add the rest of the points later

Pools movable floors

Movable pool floor






Hydrofloors vertically movable floors enable the userr to exploit the surface area of a swimming pool by converting the associated terrace or indoor pool room for other uses e.g. recreation, social events, for dining and dancing.

The system is near invisible, flexible, rapidly adaptable and safe, being in compliance with relevant national safety standards. The concept is that the floor height of the pool may be elevated to set at any pre-selected water depth such as wading depth for children or a depth suited to those with special needs. This makes the pool itself diverse and multifunctional.





The highest elevated position of the floor is that of the pool surround, at which point the water is out of sight beneath the floor. When fully elevated, the entire area becomes totally safe and secure for children to use. Additionally, since the pool is fully closed, energy costs for heating are greatly reduced.

I found a video  shows that ..

Source: http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/hydrofloors-sprl/movable-pool-floors-63185-167425.html

Lifting platform for public pools

Variopool understands the needs of pool staff, therapists and the end users when it comes to moving the elderly and disabled comfortably and with dignity into a swimming pool. The Variopool adjustable access platform is the easiest and most comfortable way in which to enter a pool as you can use it standing up or in a chair.

The platform uses an electrically driven servo motor to adjust itself to the desired pool depth. This independent unit can be installed alongside a new pool or can be situated in a corner of an existing pool with a minimum depth of 1.50m.

The platform can also be supplied with removable handrails filled with synthetic safety plates (optional).

The finish of the platform consists of a white anti-slip polypropylene top deck which is perforated to allow for proper water passage during its operation. The type of the front panel will depend on the final design of the platform and associated

Material:All metal parts used underneath are stainless steel 316L and steel parts located in the technical are made from coated steel.

Operating the platform is easily done from a control panel securely mounted nearby against the wall. An optional remote control can also be supplied.

Source: http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/variopool-bv/movable-floors-for-public-pool-50088-166462.html