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Platform on sun and daylight control, shutters, patio covers and closures
markilux: ‘The MX-4 combines futuristic design with modern LED technology.’
With the MX-4, markilux is underlining its mission to develop product designs with an expressive style. “Simple, clear lines connect rounded and angular shapes in the design of the new awning,” says Michael Gerling, Director of Production and Technology at markilux. “What's more, modern LED technology opens up new perspectives for colorful lighting options on the patio.”
“High-quality design is a must for every markilux product,” continues Gerling. “It is the common thread running through our range. This is particularly evident in the MX product family. So it's no surprise that the new MX-4 cassette awning also builds on this with its avant-garde look.”
“With this product, we felt it was important—once again—to create an exciting combination of form and color,” explains Gerling. “The starting point is a striking, conical-shaped cassette. It is accentuated by a striking front panel that neatly closes off the front of the housing and continues into the side covers. The front panel and cassette are available in seven standard colors, but the cassette can also be customized with colors of your choice. This creates lively contrasts and illustrates the shape, which combines round and angular elements.”
But that's not all, Gerling continues. “With the MX-4, the theme of color is also supported by the lighting design. The wide choice of LED lighting is the first thing that stands out. Most people are familiar with the dimmable LED Line, which is attached to a multifunctional groove at the bottom of the cassette. In addition, from May onwards, depending on the screen size, it will be possible to integrate up to six newly designed rotating and tiltable spotlights on the inside of the drop profile.”
The LEDs in the ends of the cassette are also creative. They provide a beam of light that shines up and down. “We are building on this unique lighting concept for the screen with specially developed, separate wall lights that have the same lighting concept but also match the MX-4 in terms of design, creating a uniform façade,” explains Gerling.
Another special feature, according to Gerling, is the special lighting technology, which allows the color of the LED elements to be adjusted as desired, depending on the occasion and the mood of the end users. “In addition to normal warm white lamps, RGB lamps are also available. These can be controlled with a handheld transmitter via the built-in io technology or using special apps from the Philips Hue and TaHoma Switch smart systems from Somfy. Voice control is also possible. Individual warm, colorful, or cool color scenarios can also be defined via the app.”
In addition to its modern shape and unique lighting design, markilux has focused on solid technology and practical dimensions with the MX-4. The awning is available in maximum dimensions of 600 x 400 and 700 x 350 cm. It can also be connected to other awnings. “The stable folding arms are equipped with a low-maintenance and quiet bionic tendon,” says Gerling, explaining the technology behind the awning. “Furthermore, the folding arms are equipped with a tilt hinge, so that the drop-arm swings upwards when retracting and the housing closes neatly. Together with invisible wall brackets and a connecting attachment to the facade, this creates an aesthetically pleasing whole. With the unique composition of shape and color, I believe we have succeeded in creating an exciting combination with this new model,” concludes Michael Gerling.
Every five years, Markilux presents a new collection of awning fabrics. With the new collection one, it's that time again. According to the company, the new fabric collection surprises because it is more compact, more international, and more modern. “This collection is an interesting mix of classic and new trendy designs,” says textile designer Anette Busch. It is a sustainable collection with a smaller size based on the three fabric qualities sunbow, sunvas, and sunsilk. According to Busch, collection one is completely different from all previous collections, “because on the one hand it is durable and on the other hand it will continue to change.”
The permanent basis consists of approximately 110 neutral suncolor fabrics which, apart from a few replacements, will remain fairly constant. Every consumer will find something to their liking in this collection. The focus is on plain fabrics, faux-unis, textured designs, and classic stripe designs in seven color groups in the qualities Sunvas, the well-known polyester fabric, and Sunbow, an acrylic fabric produced in Europe.
These are fabrics that have been selling well so far and are being combined in a new portfolio. Acrylic is now also part of the collection again. “Acrylic and polyester fabrics now have similar properties in terms of appearance, surface, and weather resistance,” Busch notes. “By offering both qualities, we are broadening our range, which is important for export. Moreover, having two producers means greater security of supply.
The classic suncolours range will be expanded in the future with 40 modern visutex designs in sunvas and sunsilk qualities.
which is produced exclusively for markilux. The appearance of these fabrics is characterized by special texture effects, elegant pinstripe patterns, colorfast mouliné yarns, or classic block stripes, as well as current trends.
The visutex fabrics follow five color trends, namely pastel green, dark blue, light beige, silver, and black, which are also the anniversary frame colors of markilux. “This combination looks simply amazing on the patio and in the garden!” says Anette Busch.
The focus on trends forms the basis for a vibrant collection. The intention is that the Visutex designs are regularly supplemented or replaced with new colors and designs as needed. This category also includes the Smart Art designs. This range allows for a flexible response to the market and ensures that the collection is always up to date.
In addition to the basic designs and special Visutex creations, the collection one also includes specials, fabrics with unique technical properties. These include Transolair, Perfotex, Perla FR, and—after a temporary production halt—Vuscreen. They are available in 59 designs.
“With this compact composition based on three pillars, we have made our collection of sun protection fabrics future-proof,” concludes Anette Busch. “By reducing the number of fabrics and eliminating fixed terms, we need fewer raw materials. This makes the collection both sustainable and vibrant and diverse. It is also handy, as it fits into a single collection book and a single transport bag. And it is practical, as fabric samples can be added and replaced, and the sample hangers are designed so that designs can be changed using press studs.”
“It was an intensive process to develop the collection and find a suitable supplier for high-quality acrylic,” concludes Anette Busch. “To do this, we examined our own collection and the portfolios of other manufacturers. This ultimately led to the current composition of our collection. In my opinion, the collection one has become a balanced whole, a collection with a strong international dimension that showcases our expertise in the field of textiles. This also applies to color, thanks in part to visutex and the Color on demand service. With this unique collection, we are once again taking the lead!”
