Shading system to slash energy use by 30%

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A unique shading system designed to shield the sun whilst allowing daylight penetration has the potential to radically cut air-conditioning and lighting use in buildings.

In hot countries, keeping offices cool and well lit can consume up to 70 percent of the total power use of a building. Using air-conditioning in isolation to cool a building is both costly and environmentally unsustainable.

GHD's idea is an external shading system that shields the sun while allowing daylight penetration. It sits like a skin on the outside of the building, moving around on tracks to follow the sun’s path throughout the day. Made from a lightweight frame with incorporated photovoltaic cells, the sunshield:

  • Produces enough energy to power the movement of the shade and reduce the energy required to light and cool the building by 30 percent 
  • Provides up to 10 percent of the building’s remaining power needs
  • Is made from a simple and cost effective series of modular panels, which can be removed individually without compromising the whole system and
  • Incorporates a guide rail at each floor level to provide both structural support and access for cleaning and maintenance

Originally developed in Doha, specialists in Melbourne and Perth have since collaborated to hone and test the concept.

Architecture

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Our integrated team of architects, designers, planners, and engineers will work with you to deliver comprehensive, holistic, and innovative design solutions for projects of all sizes and scope.

Imagine being able to do a virtual walk through a project, adjust specifications and costings before even breaking ground. Collaborate with us at your early concept stages and utilise technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) which allows you to do just that.

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HVAC

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GHD has a global network of HVAC professionals that can enable you to achieve your project goals - in a broad range of market sectors - laboratory, communication, residential, computer, government, hotel, industrial, defence, sport, health, sports, education, retail and commercial.

Energy efficiency, sustainable design and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are critical components of our work. As well as conventional HVAC design, GHD embraces advances in technology and sustainable design. In particular, our environmentally sustainable design (ESD) services – including sustainability, energy simulation, energy and water auditing services, design of passive cooling systems, accredited Green Star, NABERS, LEED and other major building ratings, integrated energy management and green building framework development.

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Innovations

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The world continues to change at an ever increasing rate and organisations must keep learning, growing, and collaborating with their stakeholders to keep ahead. Successful innovation is about embracing the benefits of change.

However, innovation is not just about coming up with good ideas. Whether related to an organisation, or a team delivering a major project, innovation requires an integrated and committed approach. This is best achieved through establishing an appropriate culture and leadership team, supported by systems and tools focused on identifying the key opportunities and challenges, generating and selecting and then most importantly, delivering the great ideas.

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