It’s hard not to be aware of the revolution in sustainable architecture and design. From the sudden surge in popularity in solar energy, to passive homes and sustainable cities, we are living, working and experiencing a massive global shift in how mankind interacts with the earth. Hopefully, this effort will be enough to prevent an environmental disaster.
2015 not only marks a tipping point in sustainable architecture, it also marks my 30th year in the window covering industry. Actually, if you include the years as a teenager working for my parents and grandparents in their home furnishing stores, you can tack on another 15 years to that big number.
During these many years, I have worked with multiple generations of window coverings. The woven woods in the 60’s, the Levolor mini blind of the 1970’s, vertical blinds in the 80’s, then the product innovation surge from Hunter Douglas which included (in order) the Duette, the Silhouette and the Luminette shades. I also was a part of drapery trends with 20″ puddle drapes of the 80’s, swags and jabots, upholstered walls and large floral prints over a few incarnations.
You can say that I have also evolved over these many years as well. My business has changed as I have become very aware of the potential that window coverings have in reducing stress to the environment. This of course, is by reducing solar heat gain in buildings and thereby reducing the costs and need for cooling systems. I am proud to say that InSync Solar is an innovator in bringing to our country the next generation in window coverings.
We have all grown up with window coverings inside our homes. However, in Europe where the cost of a kilowatt hour is more then three times the cost in the states, exterior window coverings is a standard installation option. All throughout Europe in northern and southern climates, exterior shades and blinds cover windows in both residential and commercial applications. This trend is coming to the USA and InSync Solar is leading the way with exciting exterior shading solutions.
Browsing through our website, you will find the FM 41, a basic cable guided – gravity assisted exterior solar shade. This is our most popular model and favored by the Architect Renzo Piano who installed over 6000 in his project in Trento, Italy.
Alessandro Scanduro specified out TF 51 tensioned exterior shade for the entire facade of the Zurich Insurance Headquarters. This is a remarkably flexible solution that can handle a variety of installation challenges.
Take particular notice of the horizontal blinds. The MD500 is made of extruded aluminum and can span widths of over 16′ without cords or ladders.
I am excited about the direction of our industry and looking forward to working with Architects, Designers, Builders and Owners on their projects as we try to create a more sustainable world to live in.