[Ar.Axel Ritter]

Decorative materials functions are those of solar protection or a privacy screen, often in the form of printed or sandblasted glass surfaces. In this context there are a number of different effects that can be created by the use of new types of colour-changing and optically switchable materials and products.

Decorative elements can take on other functions, for example in order to achieve weight reduction or to allow views into a space by removing the negative form from a surface.

For example, initially severe-looking, monochrome surfaces can be suddenly enlivened by the effect of certain stimuli. This may be through the use of a transparent, moisture-sensitive paint applied over certain areas to reveal a pattern when rain falls upon it.