Sun Tracking Umbrella, Jardine Insurance
In the glass atrium of a leading insurance company, Architen Landrell was asked to come up with a way to combat the glare from the sunshine and the heat which is built up within the space.
While solar shading was the obvious choice, the dome shaped centre piece meant that it was more difficult to install convention methods of sun protection. After extensive research and modelling, Architen Landrell concluded that a system based on the traditional parasol would be most effective at cutting out light and heat.
However, it was important that as the sun moved, the parasol structure also moved in order to retain the protection. A intelligent computer system, design and installed by specialists at Architen, was integrated into the parasol structure to ensure it could track the sun throughout the day, as it rotates around a circular light well.
While the installation does control glare and solar heat gain, it also incorporates a kinetic sculpture into and otherwise bare looking building atrium, adding a touch of artistic license to an otherwise functional piece.
