Somfy’s automatic shading solutions help to create a highly responsive building

Photo Credit: Mirvac

The increasing need to create environmentally sustainable developments and the growth in smart buildings means this type of technology is becoming more commonplace. 

Somfy’s automatic shading solutions help to create a highly responsive building, however it’s not purely just about energy efficiency and sustainability either. Building designers are continually investigating ways to let in more natural light and give occupants access to views as these have been proven to increase productivity all while continuing to manage the heat from the sun and glare. These same principles also make our lives at home much more enjoyable and our range of controls and sensors for your home work in the same way.

Somfy’s latest commercial project, occupying a coveted dress circle location overlooking Circular Quay on Sydney Harbour is the revolutionary EY Centre at 200 George Street. Designed by leading architects FJMT, 200 George Street was part of a City of Sydney Design Excellence competition and is home to project developer and builders Mirvac and global financial services firm EY. The world-class office environment embraces industry-leading design, technology and sustainability features, setting a new benchmark for Sydney’s premium grade office towers.

The façade, or exterior side of the building is striking and is also one of its most innovative elements. It is the first project in the southern hemisphere to use a closed cavity façade. A closed cavity façade takes the high performance of a traditional double skin façade and brings it into a more space efficient solution.

Façade manufacturers, and Somfy’s project partner for this project, Permasteelisa developed a unique moisture-maintenance free integrated façade panel unit that features built in solar shading. In the case of 200 George Street, it is the timber blinds and clear glazing that give its façade a warm and inviting finish, unlike anything else on the Sydney skyline.

Somfy worked closely with our partners to design, supply, and install a control solution that befits such a cutting edge project. The Somfy solution offers sun-tracking, shadow management and integrated web based remote controls which allow smartphone, tablet and laptop operation. This ensures the occupants of the building always have the right amount of natural light while balancing the needs of natural light, access to views, glare control and energy efficiency.

Now that more people have experienced technologies such as automated solar shading in their workplace, restaurants, hotels and other commercial spaces, it is little wonder it is becoming increasingly popular in homes too.

Somfy motorisation solutions are now more affordable than ever and with Somfy myLink allowing control from smart devices, as well as sensors and timers to create that lived in feel, everyone can have a mini-200 George Street in their own home.

For more information on 200 George Street, you can visit their website here, http://www.200george.com.au/redefining-skyline