One of our most interesting solar control products is actually a combination of two different products. The FlexWave Light Shelf with Integrated Motorized FlexShade Bracket allows a window to be shaded even while the daylight is harvested for use further away from the window. Below is a new case study about this product, called “School Puts Daylighting on the Shelf.”
When the Glen Ellyn, Illinois Elementary School District decided it was time to build four new elementary schools, the architects who designed the building were very specific about their choice of solar control.
First of all, classroom windows in the new schools had to be furnished with motorized shades. The main reason for this is rather sobering.
“One of the concerns is that should there ever be a need to lock down a school, they wanted to be able to quickly throw a switch to lower the shades so your movements can’t be seen,” according to Al Marx of Shadeology, who won the bid to do the installation. “You don’t have time to be running to the windows to pull chains while you’re trying to take care of a classroom of elementary children.”
However, the plan also called for interior light shelves on the same windows. A light shelf is just that—a horizontal shelf placed above eye-level, and used to reflect light onto the ceiling, bringing it deeper into the space. This distribution of light reduces “hot spots” and allows a deeper penetration of glare-free natural light.
But how to combine both products on the same window? Marx decided to go with Draper’s FlexWave Light Shelf, with a special mounting bracket that incorporates brackets for a motorized shade.
“I visited the plant to understand exactly what the product was, how it was constructed, and how it needed to be installed,” Marx recalls. After meeting with the Draper engineer who designed the bracket, he decided it was the way to go.
Because these classroom pods were designed with technology-driven educational applications in mind, there was also the need for additional shades above the FlexWave units. That way, light can be kept out both below and above the shelf when there are AV presentations or movies.
To read the rest of this case study, or to download a free PDF copy, click here.
