Colour is born from light itself. Reception Space designs lobbies with dichroic glass where reception desks shift their spectrum with every step a visitor takes. These are not static surfaces — they are kinetic art objects that transform the perception of space throughout the day.
Physics of the Chameleon
Ultra-thin nanolayers of metal oxides (titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide) deposited under vacuum create optical interference. The same panel shifts from deep turquoise to fiery orange depending entirely on the viewing angle — no LEDs, no electricity, just physics.
Dichroic coatings are applied using magnetron sputtering at temperatures above 300°C, bonding permanently to the glass substrate. The number of nano-layers (typically 30–50) determines the colour palette. Bespoke gradient dichroic glass starts from €1,100/m².
Interaction with Stone
The dramatic contrast between ethereal, colour-shifting glass and brutal black slate creates visual tension that holds a visitor's attention. Dichroic inserts embedded into monolithic stone desks produce a precious-vein effect — as if light trapped inside the stone itself.
Reception Space uses 20 mm thick laminated dichroic panels set into CNC-routed channels in honed basalt or nero marquina marble. The glass is sealed with UV-cured resin to prevent moisture ingress. A desk with dichroic inlays: from €12,000.
Optical Navigation
"Light Portals" made of vertical dichroic lamellas (80×800 mm, pitch 120 mm) shift colour as guests approach, intuitively guiding the way to reception without any conventional signage. The effect is mesmerising and entirely passive — no power source required.
At night, concealed spotlights at grazing angles amplify the colour shift to vivid effect. During the day, natural sunlight performs the same role. The wayfinding system doubles as an Instagram-worthy installation, generating organic social-media exposure for the building.
Durability 2026
The coating is permanently sealed inside a triplex sandwich — colour never fades, never scratches, and is immune to UV degradation. Reception Space specifies Ever-Glow triplex systems with PVB interlayer, maintaining spectral purity for decades without maintenance.
Panels withstand thermal cycling from −30°C to +80°C and meet EN 12150-1 standards for tempered safety glass. Maximum single-panel size: 2400×6000 mm. Seamless silicone-bonded joining is available for larger installations. Lighting project with calculated reflections: from €1,400.
Brand Integration
A company logo can be laser-engraved inside the triplex sandwich, making it shift colour together with the surrounding glass — an elegant and unforgettable branding solution. The engraving is invisible when viewed head-on and reveals itself only when the angle changes.
Dichroic glass pairs beautifully with minimalist interiors: clean lines gain depth and dynamism without visual clutter. Complex installation (structural silicone glazing, concealed channels, seismic clips) starts from €1,850.