InSync Solar

Over the past several years, my business has focused on serving the architectural community. One of my primary ways of reaching architects has been by providing health, safety, and welfare continuing education credits for my popular Lunch and Learn programs. This hour-long presentation introduces the concept of engineered shading solutions to the architectural community.

Through the hundreds of presentations I have done, I have taught many architects,designers, and specifiers about the world of window coverings. In the process, I have shared that window coverings are no longer the simple devices of the past—they have evolved into an integrated strategy for today’s sustainable buildings and interiors. Therefore, a more comprehensive description was needed, and the term engineered shading solutions was coined. 

As a building system, engineered shading solutions are more then just a quick fix of installing basic shades and expecting superior performance. In order to successfully control solar heat gain, glare caused by daylighting, and the levels of light in a space, engineered shading solutions need to be part of the initial planning and design stages of building facades. 

With such high expectations comes the definition:

“Engineered shading solutions are sustainable systems for interior and exterior window coverings, which engage the latest technologies to control heat, glare, and light” –   Neil Gordon

Architectural & Contractor Services

When working on custom projects, many Architects and Contractors become overwhelmed trying to specify the correct solution. To help with these challenges, InSync Solar’s team of expert consultations and work with you from the initial concept to completion to ensure their vision is met.

Architectural Services:

When architects work with one of our consultants during the planning and design stages, products are proposed and integrated into the project as “engineered solutions” and not as afterthoughts. Consultants provide architects with many useful services in designing, planning, and fabricating engineered shading solutions.

Interview with Ariel Aufgang
of Aufgang Architects

I grew up and still live and work in Rockland County, a northwestern New York City suburb. So when Ariel Aufgang called me to inquire about our exterior shading solutions, I was excited since his architecture firm is located just a few minutes away. Below is my interview with Ariel the principal of Aufgang Architects. 

NG: What is the background of Aufgang Architects?

AA: The firm was founded in 1971. I started as an intern in 1997, working winters and summers for 5 years. When I graduated college, I started working fulltime in 2001, became a partner in 2009 and I bought the firm in 2012. Today we have 24 full time Architects in our office.

NG: Describe the type of projects you specialize in?

AA: Aufgang Architects focuses on mixed-use, commercial and multi-family projects. Many of our projects are in New York City, such as a mixed-use building on West 35^th Street in Manhattan. With a total of 312 new units, commercial space and parking, the project should add much needed housing and services to this fast growing neighborhood.

NG: How does sustainable design enter into your projects?

Our Architect’s Guide to Engineered Shading Solutions: The Next Generation in Window Coverings just got a great review from Clarion Foreword. Check it out below:

Looking through any binder of solar shade fabric cards can make selecting the perfect fabric for a project a daunting task.  There are so many things to consider such as the openness of the weave, the color, the content and the fabric width. These choices are all dependent on the purpose of the fabric and where it’s being installed. Is the fabric for an interior or exterior application? Which orientation are the windows facing? Is the shade fabric to help reduce glare or solar heat gain or both? Is there a specific color range you must use? 

Reading the Card
Every solar shade fabric manufacturer publishes a fabric card that shows on the front side an actual neilple of the fabric along with the various color choices. However, the back of the card is where the performance of the fabric is documented.The data above is for a 105” wide fabric with 14% openness, suitable for either interior or exterior applications. The fabrics are listed with the lightest color first XT-3701 (white) and the darkest color last XT-3706 (black).

Vancouver, British Columbia was the home for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Athletes’ Village, developed by Millennium Properties is Canada’s first truly sustainable community. The Olympic Village project is an example of how a contaminated industrial City center site can be transformed into a sustainable community.

The hidden benefits of comfort:  An interview with Architect Stephen Selkowitz

Selkowitz is the group leader of the Windows and Envelope Materials Group for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Berkeley Lab is a member of the national laboratory system supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and is managed by the University of California. Stephen is an internationally recognized expert on window technologies, façade systems, and daylighting.