Members of the UK Green
Achilles Building Confidence
The Devonshire Building
Sustainable solar shading for science structure.
The Devonshire Building is a landmark six-storey edifice in the heart of University of Newcastle’s campus and is due to become operational in April 2004. It will be home to the Institute for Research and Sustainability and the Regional E-Science Centre and is therefore a pioneering construction embracing recycled materials, renewable energy and solar power, reflecting the University’s commitment to the environment.
climate responsive
Levolux were brought in to provide solar shading to the glazed southern elevation of the building. Levolux 400mm aerofoil fins were fitted to steel ‘bow trusses’ and are motorised to operate in banks are controlled by light sensors and a Levolux Multicontroller. The louvres are also climate responsive and allow optimisation of daylight and solar penetration according to the time of day and the season.
On the southern elevation Levolux also installed a newly designed, extruded aluminium, ‘J’ tread, ‘walk-on’ brise-soleil system, attached to the steelwork behind the aerofoils. Galvanised walkway was fitted on the north elevation.
a fluid aesthetic façade solution
Steve Halsall, project architect with The Dewjoc Partnership comments: “The prime objective to the building design was the integration of the solar shading with the façade design. Levolux took up the challenge by taking on a proactive role in the design development of the solar shading system, which has resulted in a fluid aesthetic façade solution.”
 |
 |
| Architect: | The Dewjoc Partnership |
| Products used: | Aluminium Fins |
| Walk on Brise Soleil | |
| Electronic Controls | |
| Bespoke Solution |