Internal Sunscreen Roller Blinds Add Sustainable Flair to UTAS

The University of Tasmania’s Medical Science Building 2 (MS2) a multi-functional facility built with sustainability at top of mind. Designed by Lyons Architects, the building was intended to optimise the use of natural light while controlling glare and heat in order to create a comfortable study area within the large facility.

University of Tasmania - Medical Science Building 2

Fabriqué, the Tasmanian Hunter Douglas Commercial Division and Luxaflex Gallery, was commissioned to fit MS2 with specialty window coverings that comply with the building’s 5 Green Star rating. The main task was to maximise the building’s natural light, which came in as a result of the building’s unique, contoured exterior – which had been designed to emulate Hobart’s topography.

Fabriqué advised the architect to install specialty Sunscreens and Blockout Roller Blinds – products which are highly effective in controlling heat, light and glare throughout the day, while offering privacy at night.

One of Hunter Douglas Commercial’s most environmentally friendly fabrics – Greenscreen® NRG 3% with a Metalized backing – was selected to be used for the Sunscreens Roller Blinds. The fabric is a Sunscreen, basket weave fabric designed to reduce light and glare while protecting against harmful UV rays.

Medical Science Building 2, part of the Medical Science Precinct, provides teaching facilities for over 1000 undergraduate students, research laboratories, two large lecture theatres, office and laboratory accommodation for 450 staff and students, a café servicing up to 150 patrons inside and outside on the landscaped podium, support facilities for undergraduate students.

For further information visit www.hunterdouglascommercial.com.au or call 1300 733 078.

Sensational Screen Nature

Sophia Watson, Editor of DQ Magazine went behind the scenes at the Hunter Douglas Commercial factory in Rydalmere and discovered the Screen Nature fabric.

Arthur C. Clarke– author of 2001 A Space Odyssey once famously said: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” And Screen Nature certainly fits that bill.

When I toured the Hunter Douglas Commercial factory recently, I was amazed at the level of quality and skill that goes into making each product. The rigorous testing, the quality control tests, and the wonders of cutting fabric with lasers! I learnt many things on my visit to the factory, the most valuable of which was that Hunter Douglas Commercial settles only for perfection. Screen Nature exemplifies that attitude.

To para-phrase Arthur C. Clarke, Screen Nature’s sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. The product has excellent fire resistant properties– its very low smoke emissions meet both the stringent French and German standards, and it significantly reduces energy costs. My overall impression? Screen Nature is simply… ‘magic.’


Hunter Douglas Commercial Factory, Rydalmere

Text by Sophia Watson
DQ Editor, DQ MAGAZINE

A New Era for Sustainable Screen Fabrics

Modern construction continues to demand energy efficient solutions, which meet the stringent standards set by the Green Building Council of Australia.

Hunter Douglas Commercial has expanded their successful Sunscreen range and introduced new fabrics that not only effectively control heat and light, but are also aesthetically pleasing.

The result: GREENSCREEN Kenetic, GREENSCREEN Duotone and GREENSCREEN Xceed. All fabrics are 100% PVC free and recyclable.

"Since 2009, our GREENSCREEN NRG 3% fabric was considered the leading environmental alternative to PVC-coated sunscreen fabrics. We have now developed this even further with three new GREENSCREEN fabrics, all which differ in functionality and aesthetics to suit various commercial applications. We are certain that we will continue to maintain our position as industry leaders in providing energy efficient fabrics."
Jenny Brown, National Marketing Manager, Hunter Douglas Commercial.


PRODUCT PROFILES

GREENSCREEN Kenetic Solar Control Fabric

• Woven from Trevira CS yarn with low VOC emissions
• Inherently fire retardant
• UV resistant with a metallised surface, which protects against glare and reflects up to 46% heat
• Available in six colours with varying solar optical properties

GREENSCREEN Duotone Fabric

• Dual tone fabric with double the benefits to control heat gain, reflecting up to 48% heat
• Woven from a Trevira PES yarn featuring a light colour on the exterior and a darker interior surface for greater visibility and glare reduction
• UV resistant
• Available in four colours with varying solar optical properties

GREENSCREEN Xceed

• A solar shading fabric, finely woven using the jacquard weaving technique
• Available in three neutral colours with varying solar optical properties
• Metallic sheen which controls light and reflects up to 43% heat

Both GREENSCREEN Duotone and GREENSCREEN Xceed meet certification requirements set by GREENGUARD for Low Chemical Emissions and have been tested for harmful substances according to OEKO-Tex Standard 100.

For further information on Sunscreen Fabrics, click here.

Screen Nature Fabrics - PVC and Polyester Free

Marc Paillon, International Technical Expert, Hunter Douglas Commercial was recently in Australia to launch three new fabrics - Screen Nature 3%, Screen Nature 2 and Screen Nature Metallised from Hunter Douglas Commercial.

Marc explains to us the features and benefits of the fabrics and the importance of specifying Screen Nature as an alternative to PVC and polyester fibre yarn fabric.

Marc, tell us what Screen Nature is and how it is different to other fabrics?

Screen Nature is woven with a glass core yarn, which is PVC Free, making it the ideal alternative to PVC and polyester fibre yarn fabrics. The fabric coating is Halogen free with excellent fire resistant properties and transparent view-through.

The fabric is woven strictly with fibre glass which is a natural and abundant raw material. Thanks to the fact that fibre glass is inherently flame retardant, any need for further chemicals is avoided. The PVC Free fabric contains no halogens or VOC emissions and its 3% openness factor is great for solar protection and glare control.

Explain the differences between the three fabrics in the Screen Nature range.

All three Screen Nature fabrics are made from the same material, but vary in aesthetics and functionality. They have all been tested against the Australian standard for colour fastness to resist fading.

Screen Nature Metallised has a high solar reflection (better shading coefficient) and lower visible transmittance (better glare control).

Screen Nature 2 is a dual sided fabric which has a white backing for those who are looking for reflection and glare control features and a consistent look from the outside of the building.

PROJECTS

Marc says that the behaviour of the Screen Nature fabrics makes them applicable for both commercial and residential applications, in particular:

All three fabrics have excellent fire resistant properties with a fire rating of M1 and very low smoke emissions.

They are certified GREENGUARD® Children and Schools, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and Sanitized® bacteriostatically, making them ideal for residential and highly technical projects, including hospitals, office buildings, airports and schools

Screen Nature fabrics have already been used in a number of projects around the world.


©Hunter Douglas - Paul de Ruiter - TNT - Mermet S.A.S.

Find out more about Hunter Douglas Commercial Sunscreen Fabrics.

Efficiency in the Workplace

BRIEF

In many commercial and residential applications, installing motorised window coverings is key to providing a practical solution to the time-consuming exercise of manually operating individual blinds.

Today, projects require window coverings that can be operated easily with minimal sound and effort.

SOLUTION

Hunter Douglas Commercial offers cost effective motorisation solutions which not only include breakthrough technology but are unique to the Australian market.

Qmotion Technology is the new motorisation solution for Roller Blinds, allowing remote control or manual pull operation, powered by D cell alkaline batteries which are discreetly hidden in the roller tube. Precision ball bearings in each tube minimise friction, reducing the power needed to raise or lower the shade, thereby making batteries last for up to five years.

Qmotion Roller Blinds can be operated with a one or six channel remote control which allows individual or group operation. Alternatively, the blinds can be adjusted by applying downward pressure on the bottom bar, raising them completely or to the pre-programmed position of your choice.

Natural Light without Heat and Glare

BRIEF

According to Randstad Workmonitor 2012, Australians work some of the longest hours in the world. As we are spending more time in the office, it is becoming more urgent for companies to offer comfortable, inspiring and environmentally-focused workplaces.

Natural light is a major consideration when designing the most efficient workplace as it not only lifts the mood of the space, it also eliminates the need for artificial light. On the other hand, this can lead to issues with heat and glare placing greater demand on air conditioning to maintain temperatures year-round.

SOLUTION

Hunter Douglas Commercial has products that allow the entry of natural light whilst also creating a barrier to the sun's heat and glare. These include our range of internal Sunscreens which provide excellent energy savings, regulating temperatures of 5 -10 degrees depending on the fabric. One of our highly effective Sunscreen fabrics is GREENSCREEN® NRG 3%. Made from 100% polyester, recyclable yarn, GREENSCREEN® NRG 3% does not exceed the maximum VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) criteria specified by the Green Building Council of Australia meaning it not only reduces heat and glare, but protects against UV rays. A perfect solution!

Internal Sunscreen

Hunter Douglas Commercial around the world!

Take a look at Hunter Douglas projects around the world!