Members of the UK Green
CHAS Copyright 2003
The Lowry
The Art of Shading
A National Millennium Landmark Project for the Arts, The Lowry at Salford Quays, Salford is an arts theatre and gallery centre which, with its predominantly glass construction, presented particularly unusual challenges in terms of solar shading.
a dramatic ladder-like appearance
Levolux aerofoil fins fulfilled a key role in providing shading to large areas of glazing on two elevations while, at the same time, playing a hugely important aesthetic part in giving the building its highly individual appearance. On one face of the building the 500mm fins are used horizontally and, placed 500mm apart, give a dramatic ladder-like appearance, while on the west facing façade the same fins run vertically to provide protection from the low afternoon sun.
A series of 18 roof lights presented one challenge and, with dim-out of around 97% required, it was decided to install motorised Levolux Skyvane systems with interlocking 75mm wide slats below the roof lights.
automatic as well as radio control
In the same area, nine sets of vertical ‘north-light’ glazing units with six windows some 2m wide also required screening. To achieve optimum light control each window was fitted with a vertical aluminium louvre blind, a roller blind with sunscreening fabric to allow 8-10% light transmission and a blackout blind. As a result, 162 blinds were installed all of which are motorised and have automatic as well as radio control. An infra-red control was ruled out because of the distances involved.
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| Architect: | Michael Wilford |
| Products used: | Aluminium Fins |
| Skyvane |