DAMPA_75_years_of_quiet_design_ENG - Flipbook - Page 52
From wood
to metal
As an alternative to the hardboard panels produced hitherto, Jean Fischer experimented with compressed asbestos
fibre, which in the 1950s was considered an almost magical
material within the construction industry on account of its
lightness and being fireproof. After a number of recent fires
in Danish public buildings, the speed of spread of which was
increased by flammable woodwork, Fischer had become
worried about using perforated hardboard, which could
easily ignite and also tended to burn very readily with rapid
surface ignition, meaning that spaces could become quickly
engulfed.
Thus, between 1955 and 1957, Fischer developed a new
Dæmpa ceiling system using tiles formed from profiled aluminium alloy with Rockwool filling. This was developed in
consultation with various leading Danish architects and,
with a view to its use in the premises of the Danish armed
forces, early discussions were held with the military’s construction division, Forsvarets Bygningstjeneste, to ensure
that it would be added to their list of approved materials.
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Dæmpa panels installed in a Swedish bank, circa 1970
Dæmpa asbestos fibre panels were first sold in 1956 but as
they were no more water-resistant than hardboard, they
could only be used indoors within spaces that were absolutely dry and well-ventilated. A better alternative to both
was aluminium alloy which, although much costlier, would
only ignite at very high temperatures. Other advantages
were that it was unaffected by damp and was unlikely to
corrode, unless in direct contact with another less reactive
metal, such as steel.
