RETRACTABLE SHADE OFFERS VERSATILITY

10 May 2018

When designing an outdoor space, providing both sufficient shade protection throughout summer and ample sunlight in winter can be a challenge. Shadeform’s Shaderunner® Retractable Sail System offers the perfect solution.

Set in the lovely coastal town of Port Willunga, this stunning new home is the ultimate combination of functional, sustainable and contemporary. Current environmental design strategies employ a combination of passive solar control strategies to reduce the impact on mechanical air conditioning and heating systems. Passive design involves the combined approach of reducing unwanted solar gains during summer, while maximising solar gains throughouut winter. This means providing shading of glazed areas during summer, while still allowing sunlight exposure in the colder months.

By using retractable shade systems this requirement is easily accomplished. With the combination of vertical sliding timber screens and two Shaderunner® Retractable Sail Systems overhead, the entertaining deck of this stunning home is transformed into a usable outdoor space, even on the hottest days. As well as providing thermal comfort to the outdoor spaces, this combined approach protects the windows from the sun when at lower angles, minimising unwanted solar glare and reducing loading on air conditioning systems. During the cooler months, the timber screens can be opened and the Shaderunner® folded back to maximise light and solar gains, reducing the need for mechanical heating.

Shadeform Operations Manager Steve Constable, worked alongside the architect, Ben Mountford, from the early design stages to ensure the Shaderunner® Retractable Sail Systems were neatly incorporated into the final building design. By following the process from concept through to construction, Constable ensured that the final design was both functional and stylish, with the creation of a series of custom brackets to enable maximum shading without compromising the operation of the sliding timber screens. The result is a practical shade solution that will provide years of enjoyment for the resident’s and their guests.

The unique qualities of the Shaderunner® Retractable Sail System® enable it to be utilised for a multitude of applications, from the smallest domestic setting, such as outdoor entertaining spaces, patios, swimming pools and courtyards, right up to large span commercial projects, such as aquatic parks and hotels. With a wide range of fabric and colour options available, the Shaderunner® complements all architectural styles.

The Shaderunner® Retractable Sail is constructed using only the most durable marine grade yacht fittings and Ronstan ball-bearing pulleys, ensuring years of trouble-free shading with minimal maintenance. The Shaderunner® is manufactured from a range of rigorously tested fabrics, such as 95 percent Polyester Mesh, HDPE Monofilament Fabric and Waterproof PVC. Each fabric is mould-resistant and offers protection from glare and the sun’s harmful rays, with a wide range of colours available.