Architectural details are where design comes to life—but turning vision into reality isn’t always easy. MicroLite™ changes that. It opens up new creative possibilities and brings bold ideas within reach. For designers who want impact without compromise, MicroLite™ is a true game-changer.
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Designers Dream Big. MicroLite™ Makes It Possible.
When architects and designers envision large-scale, eye-catching details, they often run into challenges. Traditional materials—while beautiful—are often heavy, inflexible, and difficult to install. Structural limitations, tight timelines, and budget constraints can turn bold ideas into scaled-back compromises.
KMDI’s MicroLite™ changes that equation. Developed to solve the real-world issues that often stall great design, MicroLite™ is a proprietary lightweight substrate that delivers the look and feel of substantial architectural elements without the physical burden.
It’s more than just an alternative material. It’s a tool for turning ambitious ideas into practical, buildable realities.
The Power of Going Lightweight
In architectural fabrication, weight is one of the most restrictive variables. Heavy materials can increase structural load, require complex rigging, limit placement options, and drive up shipping and installation costs.
MicroLite™ was designed to eliminate those constraints. It mimics the look of heavier materials—wood, plaster, or even stone—while remaining incredibly lightweight. That opens the door to design features that simply wouldn’t be feasible with traditional building materials.
Want to install a 25-foot ceiling element without reinforcing the entire structure? MicroLite™ can make it happen. Need oversized panels that look solid but hang from existing walls? Done.
By reducing the load on both buildings and budgets, MicroLite™ empowers you to design with fewer compromises.
Faster, Cleaner, More Predictable Installation
In commercial and high-profile projects, time is money, and uncertainty can derail everything.
Because MicroLite™ components are fabricated and finished off-site, they arrive ready to install. That eliminates many of the delays that come with on-site finishing, custom shaping, or material refinishing. Contractors can install MicroLite™ with less equipment, less labor, and far less mess.
This efficiency becomes especially valuable in environments like:
- Occupied commercial or hospitality spaces where construction disruption must be minimized
- Renovations that can’t support major structural changes
- Tight project schedules where every day counts
The end result? More predictable project timelines and fewer budget overruns.
Unmatched Design Versatility
MicroLite™ doesn’t just solve practical problems—it also expands creative potential.
It’s highly moldable and can be shaped, routed, and carved into virtually any form. Whether you’re replicating the ornate detail of a historic cornice or fabricating sleek, modern branding elements, MicroLite™ is up to the task.
It can be finished in a wide range of textures, colors, and sheens—whether you’re matching the warmth of woodgrain, the sleekness of metal, or a custom texture all your own. It also pairs well with other materials, so it can be used in layered or hybrid installations that blend visual richness with functional performance.
For architects and interior designers, that means total freedom to pursue a visual concept without getting bogged down by the usual material constraints.
Where MicroLite™ Excels
While MicroLite™ can be applied across nearly any architectural environment, there are a few scenarios where it truly shines:
Ceiling Features & Overhead Installations – When weight and structure limitations would typically rule out overhead design elements, MicroLite™ provides a solution that’s both dramatic and feasible.
Branded Environments & Wayfinding – Custom signage and architectural branding elements can be fabricated to exact specifications and easily installed on drywall, brick, or even glass partitions.
Theming & Experiential Spaces – In spaces where immersive environments matter—like hospitality, retail, or entertainment—MicroLite™ makes it possible to build large-scale scenery without expensive infrastructure.
Historic Renovations – When recreating or preserving architectural detail in older buildings, MicroLite™ offers a lightweight option that avoids stressing existing walls or ceilings.
Fast-Track Projects – For design-builds, pop-ups, and accelerated commercial timelines, MicroLite™ helps keep things moving without design trade-offs.
Not Just Easier—Smarter
Sometimes choosing the right material is about more than installation—it’s about planning for the long-term lifecycle of a project.
MicroLite™ is stable, durable, and adaptable. Because it’s lightweight, it’s also easier to maintain or swap out over time without disturbing the entire build. And because it’s fully customizable, it can flex with your brand or concept changes across years or even decades.
For architects, contractors, and end clients alike, that adds up to a smart investment.
Why Partner with KMDI for MicroLite™?
At KMDI, we’ve worked with design teams across the country to turn MicroLite™ into something more than just a material—it becomes a solution.
We work collaboratively with clients to fabricate pieces that integrate seamlessly into their design intent, meet code and installation needs, and hold up under real-world conditions. Our team handles everything from custom shaping and finishing to crating and shipping, so your elements arrive ready to install and built to last.
We’ve used MicroLite™ in corporate headquarters, retail stores, theaters, hotels, healthcare environments, and more. Each project is a little different, but the material’s reliability and adaptability remain the same.
Bring Your Vision to Life—Beautifully
MicroLite™ gives you the freedom to imagine something bold—and the confidence to know it can be built. Whether you’re developing a dramatic entryway, designing a branded space, or rethinking ceilings as a design canvas, this material removes roadblocks and reveals possibilities.
Let’s build something extraordinary—without the extra weight Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have every detail figured out yet?
That’s totally fine. Great fabrication partners thrive in collaborative environments and can help fill in the gaps with real-world insight.
What types of projects does KMDI typically support?
We work across industries—retail, corporate interiors, hospitality, healthcare, financial services—and specialize in custom architectural features, signage, branded environments, and more. Explore our capabilities.
Do you only work with architects in Kansas City?
Not at all. While we’re proudly based in Kansas City, we support design teams across the country. We’re built to collaborate, wherever you’re based.