Perforated Metal with a Purpose
At Graepels, we’re proud to see our perforation contribute to projects that go beyond form and function through perforated metal, manufacturing and sustainable design we have created — a project that spark curiosity, awareness, and action.
One such example is our recent collaboration with Science Projects Ltd, who partnered with Experimentarium and Norlys — Denmark’s leading energy and telecom provider — to create a bold new installation.
A Globe That Makes You Think
At the centre of this interactive exhibit is a striking perforated metal globe, designed to inspire visitors to pause and reflect on a vital question:
How do our choices shape the world around us?
This globe isn’t just a stunning visual feature — it’s a conversation starter, inviting people to think about energy, sustainability, and the role each of us plays in creating a more responsible future. Installed across Norlys’ EV charging parks, the exhibit connects clean energy infrastructure with public engagement, encouraging visitors to explore the impact of their everyday decisions.
Created for Norlys’ EV charging parks, this globe isn’t just a visual anchor — it’s a conversation starter on sustainability, energy use, and the role we each play in building a better future.
Design With Purpose
Graepels’ expertise in perforated metal and manufacturing helped shape the project. We loved contributing to the project that so powerfully combines aesthetic design with public engagement. From energy-conscious design to hands-on learning, this exhibit shows what’s possible when creativity meets purpose.
Here’s how we helped shape the world, figuratively speaking of course!
- The globe was constructed using 3 mm-thick aluminium sheets, chosen for their balance of durability, lightness and workability.
- Using a technique known as picture perf, we translated a detailed image of the world map into sheet metal, using different perforation sizes and unperforated areas (areas without holes) to optimise the effect of the internal lighting within the globe — ensuring the globe is as impressive at night as it is by day.
- The globe was manufactured using sheet metal, which was perforated into a product known as picture perf, which takes an image or graphic and translates it onto sheet metal. The perforation sizes were chosen to optimise backlighting.
- The structure consists of 36 precision-engineered panels, each folded at specific angles to seamlessly form the curved globe shape.
- Every panel contains 19 bolt holes, ensuring secure and precise assembly.
- Graepels supplied the panels in a raw finish, with the client planning to powder coat and hand-paint them later to achieve their final artistic vision.
This project demonstrates the powerful intersection of design, manufacturing, collaboration and public engagement. By using perforated metal not just as a structural element but as a storytelling tool, the installation transforms a functional space into a thought-provoking experience.
For Graepels, it’s a perfect example of how perforated metal solutions can elevate architectural and public projects — delivering not only on strength and precision but also on artistic expression and social impact.
Looking Ahead
We’re proud to have contributed to this project and excited to continue working on installations that push the boundaries of what perforated metal can do. Whether it’s in public art, sustainable design, or architectural innovation, Graepels remains committed to helping shape spaces that inform, inspire, and innovate.
Learn more about our capabilities by exploring Perforated Metal or Picture Perf.
Stay tuned for more updates on how our metalwork is making its mark around the globe — one perforation at a time.
