The power of glass and image

Eindhoven-based Thomsa Glass specializes in architectural glass products and systems for special applications, both interior and exterior. "These are dynamic Smart Glass products and solutions that connect to an energy efficient or safe solution," said director José Zaman. One such special glass is LED media glass.

With LED media glass, one quickly thinks of huge screens, on which to advertise. However, LED media glass (G-smatt digital media glass) is different in essential ways, Zaman said. "The glass does not have a black back, but is instead 99.7% transparent. Because the LEDs are integrated into the glass laminate, it can be truly integrated into the facade. It provides an intelligent, weatherproof solution that allows for architectural engagement with media."

LED media glass therefore has broader applications. "The glass is used in the interior of stores and at festivals and the like. Abroad, it is used for shopping malls that are open 24 hours a day. During the day it is transparent, but at night 3D films are shown on it. This creates a lot of extra traffic."

Innovative glass solutions 

Zaman explains that Thomsa Glass guides the entire process. "An architect or other developer comes to us with a question and we look at how we can make this need a reality and what it will look like." Often animations tell a company's message. "For the Porsche showroom, for example, we provided LED media glass on which videos of the cars are shown."

Thomsa Glass deals specifically with Smart Glass and home automation related products that make the whole thing work and supervises the installation. In addition to LED Media glass, this includes privacy glass, for example, or electrically heated glass, which is increasingly replacing gas heating along with underfloor heating. 

"In all these cases, cabling is needed. Dutch construction is not really used to this yet, but we provide guidance on this and know the right installers." 

Recent projects Thomsa Glass has been involved in include the self-tinting dynamic thermochromic glass in the Royal Theater Carré (Amsterdam), the new TNO office in Leiden, the glass bicycle parking station Rai, Booking,com in Amsterdam, Eastman in Rotterdam and Media glass for Merchant Square in London.  

"We also take into account the profiles used, the assembly and even the logistics. We work with a network of selected partners for this purpose. As a result, we also suffer less from longer delivery times because we have alternative solutions," José Zaman emphasizes in conclusion.