Interview with Renato Borsato, CEO Model System Italia
In my many years in the industry I have met inspiring people and companies. At the top of my list is the man I met when I traveled to Treviso, Italy: Renato Borsato, the CEO of Model System Italia manufacturer of Exterior Window Shades. His company creates the most incredible Engineered Shading Solutions that I had ever encountered. Below is my interview with him that I conducted during one of my visits.
NG: What is the history of Model System?
RB: Model System is a multi-generational family business, founded in 1964 by my father Egidio Borsato and my uncle Leopoldo Borsato. My father has since past away, but my uncle still heads our company. My brother Stefano is the Engineering Manager and Leopoldo’s two sons Flavio and Roberto are very involved in the business. Flavio is the Production Manager, and Roberto is the Manager of Domestic Markets.
When my father and uncle started the business 50 years ago, we primarily manufactured Venetian blinds (the Model System factory is 30 minutes from Venice). Today we have grown to over 100 employees producing both interior and exterior shading solutions, serving top architects and contractors throughout the continent and beyond.
NG: How have you seen solar shading evolve in Europe over the past 5 years?
RB: The evolution of the solar shade has centered on the need to optimize resources and in particular maximize our energy usage. With the extreme high cost of heating and cooling throughout Europe, owners and architects are constantly seeking ways to improve building efficiencies. This evolution has paved the way for innovations such as the double skin façade on building envelopes all throughout Europe. Our blinds and shades have now become an integral component of these double glass-building systems. In Europe and in particular France, these products must meet certain performance standards and the Model System solutions are leading the way in such compliances.
NG: Many of Model System solutions are integrated into the facades of buildings, whom do you partner with to design such advanced shading systems?
RB: This is an interesting question. We actually need to work with a variety of partners. As our products directly contribute to sustainable solutions, we work with such organizations as the Department of Construction and Architecture, the Division of Energy and Building Design and of course the curtain wall manufacturers. In fact the curtain wall manufacturers have become an important partner to Model System, as we need to work very closely together on projects. Our blinds are designed and manufactured for their integration into façade systems; therefore, the product engineering needs to be coordinated.
NG: What are the most exciting projects you have done?
RB: Model System has participated on some amazing projects, which thanks to good fortune and strong relationships were brought to us from several of the world’s great Architects. For example, we have had a close and long working relationship with Renzo Piano. We recently completed the MUSE complex designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, a tremendous opportunity to feature our exterior shading solutions the FM41 cable guided exterior shade and FM51 tension force exterior shade.
We also had the pleasure of working with architect Zaha Hadid who was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize. We worked with her firm on the Maxxi Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome and the Hotel Silken Puerta America in Madrid.
Another exciting project we were specified on is the Zurich Insurance Headquarters in Milan. The Architect Alessandro Scandurra featured our FM51 system across the entire façade, where our shades have become key visual element of the building.
Model System is able to provide shading solutions globally. You can find our systems all throughout Italy, France, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain and Greece. In addition, we will soon have a presence in North and South America.
NG: What do you see as the future of Engineered Shading Solutions?
RB: At Model System we are engineering and developing products that meet the demanding needs of tomorrow’s dynamic facades. Our fabrication capabilities are second to none in the industry. Architects know if they can design it, we can build it. With this in mind, I see the future of Engineered Shading Solutions, as a growing integrated building system that Architects cannot ignore. The shading solutions we provide can meet the needs of energy efficient buildings and provide comfort to its occupants from a small residential project to a large commercial complex.
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