Shadefactor has been a leading sun-shading and automation company for over twenty years, evidenced by some of the remarkable projects featured below, with their external venetian blinds used as a key solution in many residential and commercial projects. 

A matter of privacy and practicality.

The question around sustainability has evolved into a broader discussion around overall efficiency and design aesthetic of each specified element of a project, and this is where Warema's External Venetian Blinds are being more commonly specified. 

While the venetian blinds reduce the heating effects of solar radiation by up to 90%, it’s also the technology that sees the blinds appearing on more substantial projects around the country. With sun and wind tracking solutions that optimise the shading and daylighting effects it becomes an incredibly powerful architectural solution for the client who is looking for both practical and technologically smart solutions. Unlike textile blinds, external venetians can admit reflected light. This results in light-filled working or living spaces and reduces the need for artificial lighting throughout the day, which is another efficiency that makes this solution a simple decision. 

In this one example, the stunning Vaucluse House in Sydney specified the Warema External Venetian Blinds. 

'The client wanted a solution that added elegance to the design of the building, provided minimal obstruction of the view and could be completely retracted when not in use. The blinds needed to have wind and sun-tracking.'

Venetian blinds have transformed into elegant, efficient and practical architectural solutions. Vaucluse House, Image William Mallat.

As more architects, builders and homeowners become increasingly aware of the impact of our built environment on the natural environment, so to is their forensic search for solutions that make environmental and financial sense. With buildings a major contributor to greenhouse gasses ― accounting for around 45% of emissions internationally ― it’s natural that the focus for solutions have turned to the building industry. 

WAREMA sunshading products can contribute significantly to improving the overall functionality and efficient running of the home or commercial buildings, and importantly in the way users experience the space. Some of the key benefits are:

• External shading can be the greatest contributor to thermal comfort in a building. By reducing solar radiation by up to 90% interiors stay cool and feel natural without the need for air conditioning.
• Natural light in is proven to promote a healthier environment both in the home or the office as well as reducing the overall cost of lighting. 
• Warema products are designed to redirect daylight to where it is needed most in the inner spaces of buildings whilst eliminating glare close to glass. 
• Responds to light and heat conditions far quicker than mechanical systems, thereby helping to overcome inefficiencies associated with thermal lag.

Privacy is a key consideration in this project, but so is the design aesthetic.

Warema blinds feature the most extensive range of custom components available to adapt blinds to any building application, as well as the largest colour range and many innovative features such as:

• Driven either by a crank handle or integrated 230v motor.
• For simple applications, motorised blinds can be operated by a up-down wall switch or programmable remote control.
• Motorised blinds can also be operated by Warema basic centralised control systems or highly sophisticated control systems for major projects. Warema control systems allow automated functionality from simple up/down on a timer, to automated responses in environmental changes e.g. sun-tracking, wind threshold/direction, temperature, rain and many others.
• Highly sophisticated and programmable LONworks and KNX-EIB systems available for large commercial buildings.

The many energy saving benefits of using external venetian blinds for sun-shading along with their engineered components for high reliability will more than offset any initial capital investment.

'Since 2000 our mission has been to provide products for homes and commercial buildings that are architecturally in tune with design aspirations while practically improving levels of comfort and reducing artificial energy requirements.'

For more information on the Warema External Venetian Blinds click here

WRITTEN BY HouseLab