Engineering

Heliotrace

The smartest shade

Engineering 7 of 8

Heliotrace Skidmore Owings & Merrill

Building designers often try to reduce the daytime use of electric lights with daylight, and air-conditioning with natural airflow, but doing so tends to introduce unwanted heat from direct sunlight. HelioTrace, a shade system designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill, ensures the right balance of shade and sun. Moveable external sunshades block out the rays as needed, window frames withstand thermal change, and chilled ceiling panels circulate cold water to cool the space without air-conditioning. Architects can tailor the system to climate, sun path and operations schedules.

2 Comments

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fritz91

11/18/10 at 11:53 pm

I hate to be pessimistic again, but what happens when the motors fail? This happened in Nouvel's Arab World Institute, from way back in 1987. But I guess the motors are better now. The Technology is better now. Even if it is made in China. Look for this in the future of this building. But we probably won't because we'll be looking for the next amazing thing...and we'll say - that was then...

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blackbird7

11/20/10 at 1:34 pm

fritz91, seriously?! Why do you even read these articles if all you want to do is insult everything? I doubt you could come up with anything that actually worked better. Every new technology will have kinks and issues to be worked out, but that doesn't mean it's not worthwhile or an incredible accomplishment. These are all NEW things that are amazing feats of engineering, and all you can do is criticize. Why don't you stop dissing other people's accomplishments and go and try to make the world a better place yourself? I think it is awesome that these engineers and scientists are trying to help people by making safer, more sustainable buildings, even if they aren't yet completely perfect. Every mechanical system will break down, and you just fix it and keep going, and use the experience to make a better one next time.