From the exterior, the dual-toned red and beige brick of Drayton Mills Elementary School in Spartanburg, South Carolina, feels fresh and inviting. On the interior, a limitless world of creativity and education awaits. From color-coded and grade-specific collaboration areas, to a high-tech media room and responsive classrooms, this 125,000 square-foot elementary school utilizes cutting-edge technology to produce an innovative learning space. With construction completed summer of 2018, the school was awarded the prestigious Green Globes architectural sustainability certification.

Green Globes distinguishes projects which advance sustainable design, conserve energy, reduce water consumption and promote responsible use of materials. Southeast-based architecture, planning, and interior design firm McMillan Pazdan Smith is responsible for the keen design of the project. Project Manager Donnie Love, A.I.A., along with Justin Offut, A.I.A., and interior designer Lynne Wilson worked together closely on the project. “One of the main design qualifications for Green Globes is that each classroom has a window,” Offutt notes. Designer Lynne Wilson adds, “Natural daylighting is important. This is why high-performance shades and glazing play an integral part in the general wellbeing and productivity of the students, as well as in the project receiving the Green Globes credential.”

Multiple studies have illustrated that student performance improves with access to natural light and views. Architects and designers are responding to these findings by creating learning environments that capitalize on daylight via open spaces and innovative design elements that pull natural light deeper into interiors and allow views to the outdoors. Furthermore, school leadership desired to source building materials as locally as possible, due to economic and environmental concerns. In response to these items, McMillian focused on developing a fenestration package complete with South-Carolina based fabric and glass manufacturers, Mermet USA and Guardian Glass. Guardian’s SunGuard® SNX 51/23 coated glass and Mermet’s E Screen™ in 3% openness and Avila Twilight™ 100% blackout fabrics in the color charcoal were specified. Dark color fabrics were chosen so they would seamlessly blend with the inherent color of the glass and minimize the appearance of the shades from the exterior.

Triple-silver, high performance, low-emissivity coated glass products such as Guardian SunGuard® SNX 51/23 coated glass offer a very high light-to-solar gain ratio, which translates to students, teachers and staff enjoying the benefits of light without disruptive glare or uncomfortable solar heat. By integrating light diffusing shade fabrics such as Mermet’s 3% openness E Screen, shading gives teachers and students control over their environment. They are able to bring in as much daylight as possible, or they may lower the shades for increased performance and glare control. Window shades build on the performance of glass, allowing buildings to exceed performance goals, while delivering on precise interior and exterior design intent.

At first, façade aesthetics was a secondary concern to the project, until the school superintendent voiced a request to maintain uniformity of the building’s many exterior street-side windows. The goal was to avoid a distracting appearance, often caused by manually operated and light colored, street-facing fabrics. Achieving aesthetic uniformity while meeting differing solar control needs was a tall order. However, it was accomplished when McMillan Pazdan Smith interior designer Lynne Wilson used several different shade fabrics in order to address differing solar control needs in various parts of the building.

Drayton Mills Elementary faces south, where high amounts of solar energy enter the building. To combat this, E Screen fabric was installed on all windows. However, in specialty areas, like the school’s library, or rooms facing the distracting, high-traffic central courtyard, the ability for complete light blockage was needed. McMillan Pazdan Smith architects met this challenge by incorporating dual-shading systems that also maintained exterior aesthetic uniformity and matched the interior’s modern color palette and design. “One of the most interesting parts of the project was finding a way to incorporate multiple visions and needs at once,” project architect Justin Offutt observed. “There are lots of stakeholders.”

The need for strong solar control solutions is even more apparent when analyzing school spending. School districts spend $6 billion each year on energy – second only to salaries. Of that, 19 percent goes toward lighting. Only water heating and space heating cost more. More and more, architects and designers are understanding that carefully considering the right glass for a school façade can increase daylighting and help reduce artificial light and electricity costs without increasing heating and cooling costs. Making a significant cut in these costs can amount to substantial savings that can be applied to other school expenses.

Guardian SunGuard® SNX 51/23 coated glass and Mermet’s E Screen fabrics helped deliver those savings without sacrificing appearance. They maximize thermal control because together they provide controlled and abundant natural light that reach interiors while managing solar heat gain, keeping indoor temperatures comfortable in all seasons. By evaluating E Screen 3% with SunGuard SNX 51/23 coated glass, the complex glazing system improved from a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.23 to 0.19 – an improvement of 14.2%.

Achieving Green Globes Certification is no easy task. Amidst normal design specifications and considerations, project managers were challenged to also select sustainable, energy-efficient materials. “One of the top priorities was to create a facility that fulfills its duties as educator, community ambassador and protector of children’s welfare simultaneously,” states McMillan Pazdan Smith. In order to achieve these goals, Green Globes Certification became a steady objective of the project. The Green Globes slogan reads, “Do good by always doing better.” In order to receive Green Globes Certification, the project’s architectural team had to consider four areas when designing and choosing materials: sustainable management, social/economic impact, cultural heritage, and environmental impact. Each category further specifies detailed requirements - many of which would not have been possible to meet without the right solar control solution.

Utilizing Mermet and Guardian Glass fenestration materials, Drayton Mills Elementary was able to pass the Green Globes environmental and social impact ranks. Occupant productivity and wellbeing contribute to the social impact of a structure. Drayton Elementary solves for this by combining dark color Mermet E Screen and Avila Twilight shade fabrics with automated and manual solar control systems. This allows maximum occupant control over the environment’s lighting: making it easy to minimize glare, control heat, set lighting levels to enhance productivity, and more. As this combination solution solves for occupant comfort, it also solves for environmental sustainability by regulating internal temperatures even at the hottest points of the day: decreasing energy usage and increasing efficiency.

Nearly 800 students will explore, learn, and create in this advanced space every year. Designed to foster collaboration, Drayton Elementary School features design excellence at every level. Natural daylight empowers each classroom without overwhelming occupant’s comfort levels. This led the McMillian architects to choose Mermet USA fabrics for the elementary school in order to solve for the needs of occupant comfort, aesthetic uniformity, efficient performance, and sustainable design. “There’s so much about this school that’s exciting. From the abundance of natural light at every turn, to the innovative and flexible learning spaces you’ll see throughout the building, this is an optimal environment for teaching and learning,” observed Superintendent Dr. Russell Booker. The partnership of Mermet, Guardian Glass, and McMillan Pazdan Smith made possible the sustainability, durability, and creativity of this project: opening the door for thousands of young minds to pursue knowledge comfortably and responsibly for years to come.

“Having worked with Sierra Nevada on their Chico brewery gave us a working knowledge of project needs as well as the company’s goals,” said Matt Gallaway, A.I.A., LEED, principal architect for R.G.A. “Starting the Mills River project from scratch allowed us to really work on juxtaposing form with function. We wanted to create a very linear building as brewing is a linear process.”

The project began with the warehouse and bottling facility, which were completed in 2013. The taproom and restaurant were added two years later. Ensuring a consistent look throughout each space was key. To help keep a consistent look on the interior, the shade fabric was installed in the main dining area, exterior patio, bakery, gift shop and main offices. Additionally, R.G.A., the design team at Sierra Nevada, and Glen Walters Landscape Architecture, worked to create an entrance that would showcase the customer experience separately from the productdevelopment portion of the property. Comfort, daylighting, and solar heat gain control were integral to the design, and shades would play a role in meeting all of these needs.

“We realized the brewery was getting too much sun, so the incorporation of the shades was necessary,” said Gallaway. “Several solar studies had been conducted, and there were some unanticipated lighting challenges that the shades helped mitigate.”

Built with sustainability and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) in mind, Sierra Nevada worked to ensure the specified glass achieved energy efficiency needs while the shades provided additional performance—or the “icing on the cake” according to Gallaway. The brewery was able to reduce the building’s Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) from .227 to .221 by adding M Screen Deco™ shade fabric. That is a 20.2% SHGC improvement – a noticeable impact that glazing alone could not have achieved. Sierra Nevada Mills River Brewery was awarded LEED® Platinum in 2016, making it the first production brewery in the country to earn the certification.

Manufactured with high-quality yarn comprised of fiberglass and vinyl, M Screen Deco™ is a designer fabric featuring a unique rib weave and bi-colored yarn that adds rustic elegance to the space through its texturized appearance. The shades, which were specified at 5% openness, block approximately 95% of UV rays and transmit only 7% of total solar energy.

With a visual transmission of only 7%, M Screen Deco™ 5% in Hazelnut substantially reduces glare in multiple spaces throughout the brewery while retaining crisp, clear view through. Reduced glare on screens not only affects office workers, but also provides better viewing experiences for patrons watching any of the TVs on the property. Comfort is an essential part of the brewery experience, and the usage of M Screen Deco™ prevents guests from having unwanted sunlight while they enjoy a cold beverage or delicious meal.

“The use of Mermet’s M Screen Deco™ fabric in Hazelnut was an excellent selection,” said Dominic Sarno, owner at D.F. Sarno Enterprises Inc., the project’s fabricator/installer. “Aesthetically, the fabric blends with all the wood stain finishes on the inside and complements the exterior finishes. M Screen Deco™ also allows view through when shades are down, and controls direct sunlight.”

“For Gallaway, the project extends beyond the completion date. “The brewery is often referred to as the ‘destination for beers,’ and we truly enjoy having been a part of creating something that brings people joy. We have said before that the best projects are the ones where you make lasting friendships. This is one of those— great teams that built strong friendships.”

“Watching this project grow over the years as the brewery expanded and more people were drawn to it was a wonderful experience,” continued Sarno, “Working with Sierra Nevada, the architects, and Mermet to create a beautiful, quality-driven facility really underscored it all.”

“They had a beautiful façade design with unique angles and breaks in the glass,” explained Clint Childress, LEED® AP, solar control solutions product manager at Draper, Inc. “With this design, they had a problem with finding any solar shading that would work.”

Bryan B. Biggers III, president of Beverly Venetian Blind Company, agreed it was a complex project.

“We weren’t the only people asked to bid on this project but we seemed to be the only ones that were willing to take on the complexity of this project with its unique angled windows,” Biggers said. “It’s something we had never done before, but I felt that it would be a great opportunity to do something very special even though we really didn’t know how we were going to accomplish it.”

Biggers and his team talked to the designers in charge of the project to share some ideas on how to develop a solution.

“This is where my thoughts went straight to Draper,” he said. “I knew that if anyone could help pull this off, it would be Draper.”

Biggers’ request came to Draper’s Solar Control Solutions (SCS) division, which designs and manufactures custom solutions for customers around the globe.

“SCS is about bringing solutions to solar shading problems,” Childress said. “There may be too much heat gain, a unique glazing design, an operation that is not standard, or anything that makes standard products not an ideal option.”

Draper’s designers discussed the project with Biggers and, after several conversations, proposed a solution. After some back-and-forth exchange of ideas and on-site meetings, a final design was agreed upon: a custom motorized shade system on tracks, with re-directional rollers to help the shades follow the changes in slope. The shades would be operated via wall switch, and feature Mermet E Screen™ Charcoal/Gray with a 3% openness factor. “The fabric choice was made for performance, as well as aesthetics. The school’s firsts selected a lighter color fabric. After consultation with our client, we changed the color to achieve both concerns,” Bryan Biggers said.

“The design process with Draper was very interesting,” Biggers said. “As you can imagine they had quite a challenge on their hands. Draper hadn’t done this type of project before, and neither had we.”

The custom solution was actually based on Draper’s Motorized FlexShade® and Skylight 2. One of the biggest challenges for the Draper design and production teams was the different brackets required.

“With the changing break-line in the curtain wall glass per shade, each shade was slightly different. Different length tracks (both left and right side for each shade), different length brackets, and different numbers of brackets,” Draper’s director of engineering Harold Seib said. “Another issue was bending the side channels/tracks. We used 3D engineering rapid prototyping machines, and developed a process using printed plastic inserts that allowed us to use a gym equipment tubing bender to bend u-channel.”

The project continued to be challenging as installation got underway. Biggers’ crew had to make some on-site adjustments and fabrication changes because as they moved across the glazing it soon became apparent that there were changes with the angles.

“At some points, it was a hot mess but we knew that it was going to come together in the end and be pretty spectacular,” Biggers said. “Draper did a great job as I knew they would and I know that it was a learning experience for them as well as for us.”

Biggers has returned since the initial installation to make a few adjustments and said the Lab School is extremely happy with the unique shading solution.

They wanted great visibility and a reduction in heat transfer through the window. “KOOLBLACK^® ticked both those boxes,” Fitis says. While E Screen™ with KOOLBLACK^® Technology was not yet available in Australia, the home owner was willing to wait for its arrival as the building was still under construction.

To produce the window coverings, Fitis worked with the homeowner at each planning stage for the architect-designed home, which was being built from scratch. “I worked with him every step of the way,” he says. “For example, we decided the blind should sit in a cavity rather than be mounted on the wall or ceiling.” As a result, the size of the cavity needed to be addressed to ensure there was enough room for the blind to rotate and sufficient space to accommodate the fabric when it was completely rolled up. Fitis recommended motorization and plans were made to incorporate the electrical work required during construction. “If you’re building a lovely home, the last thing you want are chains hanging around,” he says. “And with big blinds, chains can be difficult to operate.” When the glass was installed in July 2013, the first measure for this job was taken. Production, from factory to completion, took three weeks after the final measure with installation completed in December last year. “In this instance, the blinds were made before the owners were ready for them to be installed,” he says. It’s a strategy he likes to put into effect to ensure customers are not waiting for their blinds to be made when they’ve already moved into a home. “No one wants to wait for their blinds and live in a house that’s like a fishbowl,” he says.

Blinds In Style produced 12 roller blinds in four metre drops to accommodate the high ceilings. The windows to be covered spanned 26 metres in an L shape, one section looking onto the lap pool and the other, onto the garden setting.

“Both sides of the fabric had to be a dark color, with a high visibility and high co efficiency factors. Mermet’s E Screen™ with KOOLBLACK^® ticked all those boxes.” Damcevski says the project used Helioscreen internal roller blinds, entailing a combination of chain operated and motorized blinds, for which the fabric used was E Screen™ with KOOLBLACK^® Technology 5% openness, color 3535 Charcoal/Charcoal.“

Helioscreen originally came across the KOOLBLACK^® technology at the BMAA Superexpo in 2013 where it caused quite a stir,” Damcevski says. “When the project at 567 Collins Street came up, we got in touch with Mermet, who provided us with samples. It quickly became apparent that the fabric met the architects’ key requirements. They wanted a dark color fabric, for aesthetic and glare reduction reasons, which also allowed occupants to see out of the building. An added benefit is that, because the fabric is so efficient , it keeps the building cool and therefore reduces energy costs.” “Mermet provided technical stats for the project and compared the fabric characteristics against competitors’ fabrics, in which KOOLBLACK^® had higher efficiency factors,” Damcevski confirms. “Mermet’s specification data and sample cuttings enabled me to specify the project, with Helioscreen producing the prototype blinds. Specification was completed in June of 2013.”

A key challenge in the project was the high number of performance requirements required, Damcevski adds. These included a dark fabric requirement, a max of 5% openness factor, less than 6% Visible Light Transmittance (Tv), 30% Solar Reflectance (Rs). “We had to be able to meet as many of these as possible,” she says, adding that key to the project’s success was the resolution of the opposing needs of a sustainable building that also required dark fabrics.” “Regular dark shade materials consume energy and raise the solar heat gain in space, thus resulting in a waste of energy and creating an unpleasant environment. As such, this restricts the use of dark screen fabrics in sustainable building design where heat reflection specifications are presented in a shading solution.”

“The new KOOLBLACK^® technology resolves this issue by making use of new heat reflecting characteristics. KOOLBLACK^® technology adds to the energy efficiency of solar-shade materials to equivalent levels with light colours, which lowers about 23% of solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC), which means improved heat control and increased energy savings.” Mermet comments: “While E-Screen™ with KOOLBLACK^® Technology was not even available in Australia at the time of the specification in 2013, its benefits were so apparent when it launched at the Superexpo that Helioscreen was quickly committed to utilizing it.”

In consultation with the CEO of CBAC, Mark Carr, Steve Palmer and his team at Creative Blinds specified Hunter Douglas’ motorized RB 500 roller shades and Mermet’s specially heat-reflective fabric, T Screen™ with KOOLBLACK^® Technology, to help block the intense sun pouring in from all sides of the CBAC headquarters.

The design called for motorized shades on the top floor, ensuring ease of use and creating a sharp appearance from both the interior and exterior of the building. “The shades look good, and the employees really like them,” said Carr. “I would estimate it’s probably about 10 or 15 degrees cooler with the T Screen™ with KOOLBLACK^® Technology fabric, which allows our team to feel more comfortable and be productive.”

CBAC has also noticed significant monetary savings, which they attribute partially to the shades: “We budgeted a substantial amount monthly for electricity costs,” said Carr. “With the help of the shading fabrics, our average monthly bills are less than half of what we initially expected for heating and air conditioning costs. We are anticipating break even costs for the shading system in about two and a half years.”

According to Robert Beals, Product Manager at Mermet Sun Control Textiles, other customers have experienced similar effects after installing T Screen™ with KOOLBLACK^® Technology shade fabrics. In fact, the fabrics have been proven to reflect 65% of all solar energy, reducing heat gain, as well as blocking 91% of visible light to control glare, enhance visual comfort and increase workspace productivity.