In about three weeks I’ll be heading to Washington, D.C. to represent Draper at the Healthcare Design Expo and Conference, or HCD for short. HCD has a very particular focus: This conference is all about how building design and products affect healthcare facilities, and the people who use and work in them.
GreenScreen Evolve, one of the solutions Draper will show at Healthcare Facilities Expo in November.
From our standpoint this is an excellent show to attend because the vast majority of the people there—86 percent—are either architects who design healthcare facilities or people who plan and operate those facilities. These are the people who need to hear the message about how Draper can help make the impact of the built environment a positive one.
The main thing we talk about at this show is, of course, our solar control solutions, including window shades. Window treatments impact healthcare facilities because they help manage daylight, taking advantage of the positives and helping mitigate the negatives associated with the current trend of using lots of windows for natural light. Having access to natural daylight and being able to see outside views has been shown to reduce patient stays, reduce needed pain medication, and improve mood and productivity, but unshaded windows can also introduce problems such as patient discomfort, glare and heat gain. Draper offers many solutions for handling these issues. For instance, our Bottom-Up FlexShade lets you enjoy natural light through the top of the window opening, while providing protection from glare—or even privacy, depending on the fabric—on the lower portion of the window.
Draper’s Bottom-Up FlexShade is available with Phifer Microban fabrics, Mermet’s GreenScreen Evolve, and many other offerings.
One item we stress at this show is Draper’s ability to provide window shades with Phifer fabrics containing Microban antimicrobial protection. Microban is infused in the fabrics during the manufacturing process, and inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew. Shades with Microban are a popular choice in healthcare facilities, for obvious reasons!
This year we’re also addressing a subject that is on the minds of most architects, not just those who design hospitals: sustainability. Draper window shades with Mermet’s GreenScreen® Evolve™ combine the best in sustainability, functionality, and design in a zero waste designer shade fabric. Evolve is Cradle-to-Cradle Certified™ Silver with a traditional basketweave appearance, enhancing view through qualities of the material. This new fabric contains up to 78% Repreve® fibers, made from 100% recycled post-industrial and consumer plastic waste. It’s translucent, and comes in nine designer colors with a diamond knit pattern for beautiful views, with 1%, 3%, 5%, and 10% openness factors available.
If you’re planning to be at this year’s Healthcare Design Expo and Conference, November 14-17 in Washington, D.C., I hope you’ll stop by and see me in the Draper booth. Our booth number is 1701—I’ll be the guy with all the shades!
For more information on Draper’s window shade solutions, click here.
To learn more about the Healthcare Design Expo, click here.
