“ORNILUX” by Arnold Glas, image/information source: Arnold Glas
ORNILUX is a UV-reflective bird-safe glass developed by Arnold Glas (now under arcon) to prevent bird collisions with windows and facades. It draws inspiration from the stabilimenta—decorative UV-reflective silk threads—in the webs of the spider Argiope keyserlingi, which warn birds to avoid flying into them.
Biomimicry Principle
Birds perceive ultraviolet light invisible to humans, so ORNILUX applies a patterned UV-reflective coating mimicking spider web decorations. These patterns, like “mikado” or “supermikado” designs resembling spider silk stabilimenta, appear nearly transparent to people but form visible barriers (e.g., dots, lines, or grids spaced per the 2×4 rule: ≤2 inches horizontally, ≤4 inches vertically) for birds.
Development History
Patented in 2001, the first ORNILUX installation occurred in 2006 on a German swimming pool facade. Initial testing in Germany and ongoing trials with the American Bird Conservancy’s flight tunnel confirmed its effectiveness, earning “Effective” ratings for many variants under ABC criteria.
Applications and Performance
Used in buildings across the US, Canada, Europe (including Romania via local suppliers), zoos, and conservatories, ORNILUX integrates as vision glass, spandrel, or railings in laminated/insulated formats. Real-world feedback and tests show it significantly reduces strikes, even under varying light/weather, while preserving aesthetics.
Relevance to Sustainable Architecture
As an architect in sustainable urban projects, ORNILUX aligns with EU eco-innovations by minimizing bird mortality (hundreds of millions annually from glass collisions) without compromising transparency or adding visible obstructions. It’s certified bird-friendly and pairs well with BIM modeling for facades.
