It took merely three months to complete the sophisticated atrium roof of the new shopping mall „Il Borgo“ in Naples, Italy. The roughly 350-square-meter roof in the shape of a pointed arch covers the outdoor seating area of a restaurant. The Makrolon® multi IQ-Relax sheets were fitted right into the filigree aluminum structure. The rise of the arch consists of Makrolon® UV blue – polycarbonate sheets dyed  blue.

The aim of the design of the atrium is to protect the diners from rain and wind and especially from the burning sun in southern Italy. What was required was a covered area offering bright daylight but without direct sunlight exposure, because this would have led to too much heat build-up. The only option was a material that lets sunlight pass through while reflecting the heat. The Makrolon® multi IQ-Relax sheet meets this requirement. In combination with the dyed polycarbonate that was used in the pointed arch, the sheet provides consistent light in the entire area without casting strong shadows. The transparent sheet also creates a pleasant room temperature, while the blue sheets generate special color and light effects on the terrace and the atrium walls.

„Although we were aiming for a roof that looked light, the structure had to be sturdy enough to maintain its shape at high temperatures and resist strong winds or even hail,“ says Corrado Santarelli, the technical coordinator in charge of the project at Bayer Sheet Europe in Italy. „Also, when it comes to heat resistance,“ he adds, „the Makrolon® polycarbonate sheet was a good choice, because it offers long-lasting resistance against temperatures of up to 120 degrees Celsius.“ In addition, the material meets the stringent fire protection standards for construction materials in public buildings: it remains under the maximum smoke gas toxicity, and dripping of burning particles does not occur.

As in every construction project, keeping time and costs in line with economic efficiency was crucial. Makrolon® with its optimal combination of sturdiness and elasticity and its low weight required only a light substructure. After the material had been delivered to the construction site in the form of flat sheets, they were processed with simple tools and cut to a length of 6 meters. This was done by Tecno Coperture S. R.L., a company based in Cercola, Italy, which also designed the pointed roof. After custom-cutting, the polycarbonate sheets were given their shape by cold-bending, then fitted into the sub-structure. The easy processing of Makrolon® sheets reduced both the time for cutting and assembly as well as for delivery and installation.

With Makrolon® multi UV IQ-Relax Bayer Sheet Europe has expanded its successful i-Line. This new generation of transparent multi-wall sheets reflects the major portion  of the infra-red radiation on sunny days, thereby reducing the heat inside a building by up to 50 percent. At the same time, the sheets let a great amount of light pass through.