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Levolux creates Motorised Fabric Louvre System
The UK's first motorised, internal, fabric louvre system, designed to minimise glare and help reduce heat gain within buildings, has been created by Levolux, as part of one of London's most ambitious and striking developments.
The system replaces aluminium or timber, traditionally used to create fins for reducing solar heat gain and glare within buildings, substituting it with fabric. It has been installed to the front elevation of the new Cardinal Place building in Victoria, London - a building that is set to become a landmark icon and spark the regeneration of this area.
Project architects EPR wanted to maintain the sleek glazed look of the nose of the building so rather than installing fins on the exterior of the building - where traditionally they are placed - they asked Levolux, market leader in the development of systems for the control of light, glare and solar heat gain, to help them create a totally new internal system.
Computer Thermal Modelling
Levolux and EPR, who had exact ideas in terms of the shape of the fins, worked in collaboration to develop the new system, seeking assistance with computer thermal modelling from building engineers Faber Maunsell.
The new system involves an open weave, fibreglass based, translucent fabric that is stretched over 940mm wide extruded aluminium frames to form elongated diamond shaped fins - the exact shape required by EPR.
For the project at the Cardinal Place, Levolux have installed 152 fins mainly 3 metres in length.
The fins have been designed to follow the gentle curve of the triangular shaped glazed 'nose' which stretches from the roof to ground level. The fabric fins will reduce unwanted glare, an all too common problem in many offices, whilst ensuring maximum light penetrates the working space beneath the glass roof. They will also help to reduce solar heat gain.
Fins Rotate to Follow the Sun's Movements
To provide maximum protection for the building's occupants, the system is motorised and is utilising Levolux's innovative control system. This means that the fins will slowly rotate during the day, allowing them to follow the sun's movements and offering maximum protection against the sun whilst allowing optimum daylight through.
| Architect: | EPR |
| Products used: | Aluminium Fins |
| Timber Fins | |
| Internal Roller Blinds | |
| Electronic Controls | |
| Bespoke Solution |