Blinds & Shutters hears how Somfy is educating architects and specifiers about installing automated solar shading in commercial buildings at its London HQ’s dedicated showroom 

A core part of Somfy’s growth strategy is to actively promote and increase the rate of motorisation in commercial buildings.

In order to develop this growth Somfy have a dedicated showroom at the Business Design Centre in Islington, demonstrating how Somfy control solutions can be applied to commercial buildings. This valuable space is used to educate architects and specifiers aware of the business case for installing automated solar shading.

The showroom offers visitors an interactive experience into the world of automation by taking them step-by-step through each element of Dynamic Façade Management. This is accomplished by simulating a number of environmental conditions i.e. wind, rain etc.

As part of this initiative, Somfy have also created a dedicated training room where they run individually-tailored training courses for OEM customers and system integrators wishing to learn more about animeo and extend their product offer. Somfy actively encourage its customers to use the showroom for client meetings and networking events.

Simon Barratt of Faber blinds commented: “The showroom is a valuable resource for us; its central location is especially useful when we need a space to conduct meetings with our clients. They are always very impressed when they see the Somfy showroom demonstration and always surprised at what is possible. Any technical questions or concerns they have concerning automation are immediately set aside. This is because we are able to respond quickly and confidentially to their query and also because we have the full technical support and expertise of Somfy’s commercial team.”

Charlotte Townend, Somfy’s market manager for commercial building solutions pointed out: “There are a number of changes driving our industry including, the value of integrated design, low carbon design (climate change mitigation), future proofing (climate change adaptation), comfort and productivity but most importantly value vs cost. Today’s environmental and ecological changes are having a profound effect on us all. Somfy’s objective is to bridge the gap in the market and provide cost-effective, energy-saving solutions for 21st Century living architecture.”

As a member of the RIBA CPD providers’ network, Somfy are obliged to help ensure that qualified architects maintain their competence to practice. Somfy run a scheduled programme of CPD seminars which their commercial division offer to architectural practices across the UK. The CPD entitled “Complying with building regulation part L2 through Dynamic Façade Management” at its very least aims to demonstrate the huge importance of interior and exterior solar protection and the added benefits of automation. Dynamic Façade Management, is a new approach to designing the façade. This concept takes full advantage of natural resources by optimising control of natural and artificial light, along with temperature exchanges both internally and externally. This is achieved through intelligent shading which rapidly responds to changes in climate conditions to optimise building performance.

At its very basic level CPD is for consumer protection. It is also a way of ensuring that architects keep up-to-date with training support, new ideas and updates in the construction industry. All chartered members of RIBA are obliged to participate in CPD seminars each year to maintain their accreditation. These educational and informative programmes that Somfy offer, provide architects and specifiers with the relevant technical information they need in order to make it easier for them to specify control systems, such as animeo. They also promote the multi-faceted support service that Somfy offer to their customers, and illustrate how Somfy control solutions can contribute towards energy-efficient, living and working environments.

Charlotte commented: “One of Somfy’s key objectives for the commercial division is to demonstrate how easily our solutions can interface with other building control systems, such as lighting, security etc.  We have a number of new initiatives which will be driving this development including, the new website for commercial building automation www.somfyarchitecture.co.uk which will be launched later this year so ‘watch this space’.” 

Source from Blinds and shutters Magazine(http://www.blindsmagazine.co.uk)