Taming the sun

In a building climate focused on achieving those coveted Green Star ratings, one of the most important considerations is limiting solar gain. Reducing the impact of the midday sun on office interiors helps minimise air conditioning requirements and increases the comfort of staff. Blinds are a simple, attractive and highly efficient way to achieve this.

KWA Blinds specialises in the supply and installation of high-end, custom-made blinds and curtains for the commercial market. The company works closely with architects and interior designers to find the best blind solution for their project. An example of this is seen in KWA Blinds' input on the inner-city Brisbane Square office and retail development. The project provides a landmark for the city in terms of aesthetic presence and environmental responsibility.

Slanting, pencil-like windows form feature elements on the ground-floor level of the development. Thermally efficient shading was required by the architects, and a blind system that would work with the distinctive design required thinking outside the square.

"Initially we were commissioned for the more straightforward blind elements, but the decision was made to shade the pencil apertures and it fell to us to help create a design solution," says KWA Blinds director Sonya Wilson. "Our approach was to customise a centrally operated motorised skylight system with tension wires for the obliquely hung blinds to travel along."

The blinds, as with the majority of window shades installed for the project, are made of Verosol metal-backed fabric reflective on the outside and dark grey on the inside to minimise glare. This fabric helps keep the interiors cool, putting less strain on Brisbane Square's air conditioning plant.

In addition, the shades admit filtered natural light for worker comfort and do not obscure the view.

KWA Blinds supplies and installs commercial-level roller blinds, pleated blinds, Venetian blinds, motorisation systems, curtains and curtain tracks.

For further information, contact KWA Blinds, phone (07) 3821 2555. Email: info@kwa.com.au, or visit the website: www.kwa.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas