Contributing to a Green Environment - ap.hunterdouglas....

Facade MaterialsAccording to BCA, facade materials should be carefully selected toensure energy efficiency of the building.Some of the measures include- Using glazing with low emmisivity coating allows high transmissionof light without excessive heat gain. It reduces solar heat gainwithout compromising on the level of daylight entering the building.- It is advisable to use glazing that allows approximately 50% ofvisible light transmission to ensure a good balance betweenartificial lighting and natural lighting.- According to information provided by Efficient WindowCollaborative (EWC), a typical house using windows with doublelow emmisivity glazing can achieve a saving of up to 32% coolingenergy cost compared with a house using clear single glazing.The Hunter Douglas’ facade system comprised of the LUXALON ExteriorAluminium Cladding Range which consists of 3 main types:- Multiple Panel- Insulated Sandwich panel- Quadroclad CladdingsWithin these categories there are a number of variations each designedto suit a particular use or range of applications. There is a LUXALONcladding product suitable for virtually any constructional requirementfrom refurbishment to new builds.Multiple Panel Cladding SystemThe panels, according to type and section can be fabricated from CoatedAluminium, Anodised Aluminium or Stainless Steel. Some profiles caneven be perforated, allowing the Architect the facility to design withconcealed lighting from within the facade – visible from the outsideof the building.Panels can be installed horizontally, vertically or diagonally dependingon the desired directional emphasis. Combinations of some of the paneltypes as well as curved facades are possible. In addition, the standardLUXALON colour range includes many different colours and finishes.The system also includes standard round and square corners as wellas cranked panels.This system is ideal for all kinds of utility, commercial and industrialbuildings. It can also be used as an exterior ceiling or be incorporatedinto other facades to create exciting visual effects. For many new buildand renovation projects the multi panel facade systems have provento be an aesthetic and economical solution.The creative freedom offered by the panels allows designers to buildcurves into their designs, creating soft, undulating shapes, re-entrantcurves and bulkheads. Panelling can be continued from the façade, tointerior or exterior ceilings, with an imperceptible joint between thehorizontal and vertical panels.Sandwich WallWith LUXALON Sandwich Wall, almost any architectural design canbe translated into a practical solution. The made-to measure panelscan be curved or cranked in either length or width.Panel joint patterns have a major influence on the architectural design.LUXALON Sandwich Wall has many panel joints details providing thedesigner with an infinitive number of aesthetic options. In addition,false joints can be integrated across the width or length of a panel,offering even more design possibilities.Characteristics:- Extreme panel flatness.- Choice of skin materials (aluminium, stainless steel, copper etc).- Standard widths but any panel module up to 1500mm can be produced.- Panels can be supplied up to 12 meters in length for both horizontaland vertical.- “Total” facade system including windows, doors and louvres.- For new-build and over-cladding projects.QuadroClad CladdingsLUXALON QuadroClad is an open jointed cladding system based onrainscreen technology, or sealed system designed specifically for areasof the world where sealed systems are technically required. Channelsare integrated into this unique system to allow rain and condensationwater to escape. QuadroClad is based on honeycomb compositeQuadroClad System7

Sandwich Wall Cladding Systemtechnology that originates from the aircraft industry. The system has been designedin consultation with architects, engineers and installers. QuadroClad comes in manyforms, sizes and shapes and can be curved or folded.Characteristics:- Extremely flat panel surfaces- Large panel modules max. 1500 x 4500- Choice of skin materials- Low weight per m 2- “Total” facades system including windows, doors and louvres- For new build and over-cladding projectsThe unique system is technically advanced and economical in use and is particularlysuitable both for the outside skin of prestigious office buildings, hotels, airports,hospitals, etc. and for the over-cladding of existing buildings.Day LightingWherever possible, day lighting should be incorporated into the building as thepreferred mode of interior illumination. It provides the highest quality light withsignificant health benefits and feeling of well-being. It also reduces lighting loadand operation costs.Some of the measures include- When using day lighting, care should be taken not to introduce too much solarheat gain into the space.- Sun-shading devices should be provided to minimise heat gain and also toexclude undesired glare. The choice of glaze is also critical in ensuring goodday lighting.- When incorporating day lighting, it is important to design a system that minimisescontrast ratios and integrate natural and electric lighting. Lighting design shouldnot only consider energy consumption but occupant satisfaction and productivity.- To have good quality lighting, daylight sensors should be located in a mannersuch that the portion of the lighting zone being controlled experiences fairlyuniform illumination levels.As part of her service, Hunter Douglas Singapore provides a unique computer aideddesign and drawing system to help architects and designers transform vision intoreality in a short period of time.Multi-Panel Installation8

Luxalon® Ceilings Shelter OverCats & DogsIf you quarantine cats and dogs, what would be your top choice forthe ceiling works? Mr Jin Sung of ID Architects Pte Ltdchose Luxalon® Tile Ceiling Type 584x584x0.7mm andStrip Ceiling Type 150C/225C without hesitation. In all,he used 90.57 m 2 of the Tile Ceiling - Thick Perforatedtype and 35.31m 2 of Non-Perforated type, as well as 1,674.12m 2of the Strip Ceiling (also known as Linear Closed Ceiling)Non-Perforated type for the new Sembawang Quarantine Stationlocated at No.10 Lorong Chencharu.Mr Jin said, “The quarantine shelter has to be in tiptopclean condition as it houses the pets. Hence, havinga ceiling that is easy to clean and maintain is my firstpriority as cleanliness is very important to prevent anydisease. Of course the light-weight factor of LUXALONceiling tiles/panels is an added bonus.” Furthermore,Mr Jin has used both LUXALON’s Tile Ceiling and Strip Ceilingworks for his other projects – Adam Road Food Centre andTanglin Halt Market with pleasing results.Designing a shelter to house delicate pets may soundeasy but many factors have to be taken into consideration. Ease-ofmovement,ventilation and noise reduction are some of them.Explaining his design concept, Mr Jin took the advantage ofthis North-South facing site in Sembawang by laying thebuilding linearly and spreading it across the site at differentlevels on the hill slope. He inter-connected it via walkwayswith ramps, allowing easy movements of the pets. Largeplatforms or open decks were created as pet-holding placesand breath-taking areas for pet owners’ visits. The wholecomplex was designed to revolve around the open field withbeautiful greenery, thereby helping to reduce the noise createdby pets and enhancing their living environment.In this project that took 7 months to complete, Mr Jinalso used 4 sets of Luxaflex® Slimlines Venetian Blindsand 10 sets of LUXAFLEX Roller Shades.Sembawang Quarantine Station in day view10

An ariel view of Sembawang Quarantine Station that houses 80 dog kennels, 60 cat catteries, 1 administration office, 4 exercise fields, 1 surgical room and 1 car park11

LUXALON Tile Ceiling System brightens up and adds an elegant touch to the animal shelter12

During the evenings, the use of LUXALON Ceilings illuminate the front entrance with its glossy materialLUXALON Strip Ceiling System (also known as LUXALON Linear Closed Ceiling System) beautifully lines the corridor13

Postcards from DubaiIn this issue, we are pleased to present the Dubai study trip reports of our winners from the NUS Department of Architecture –Hunter Douglas Award 2006 and Singapore Polytechnic – Hunter Douglas Award 2006 (Architecture Category).Looking at DubaiLiu Zhenghao – Winner of the BA (Arch)/BA (ID) CategoryWe have to makehistory and approachthe future with steadysteps, not wait for thefuture to come to us.“”- HH SheikhMohammed Bin RashidAl MaktoumMr. Liu and his mother, having agood time at a desert partyI began my stay in Dubai by exploring theCreek, Dubai’s main water channel, as wellas the surrounding areas of Deira (easternbank) and Bur Dubai (western bank). We tookan abra or water taxi, and plied the length ofthe river. The boat experience was a quaintand varied one, as the shoreline had littlevisual legibility and looked more like aBangkok waterway than an Arabian fantasyland - quite a different image of Dubai fromwhat I was expecting. Nevertheless theCreek’s vibrant souks, sprinkling ofpostmodern Arab-inspired buildings anddiverse people groups provided a humantouch and a hint of the rich mercantile historyof the area.On day 2, we hopped onto a sightseeing busto explore the new city.A major highlight was the Jumeirah Beachstretch, a highway of tourism running parallelto the Arabian Gulf. It was a truly aweinspiringexperience to see artificial wonderslike the World Islands, the Palm and as wellas the legendary Burj Al Arab one afteranother.The Burj itself had a rather tucked awayentrance and was located on a man-madeisland, accessible only via a narrow bridgeto enhance the feeling of exclusivity. Therewere many tourists taking pictures near theentrance to the bridge, as admission wasrestricted to only residents and those withmeal reservations there. When we finallymade a lunch reservation and visited the Burjmuch later, the building did not disappoint.The interiors done by KCA Internationalfeatured the 5 elements of water, air, fire,earth and wood in a kaleidoscopic, ultrasaturatedburst of colour, Arabic motifs andsheer opulence. The décor could seem toomuch for modernist-trained eyes, but I foundthe overtness to be appropriate for theoccasion - it could only happen at the Burj.Another highlight of the city tour was SheikhZayed Road, where Dubai’s business district lies.An armada of skyscrapers lines both sides ofthe road to create a strong visual axis; the scenelooked like a futuristic scene from Luc Besson’s“The Fifth Element”, perhaps inspiring the selfproclaimed slogan “City of the Future”.But do not be fooled into thinking this is allthere is: the majority of future Dubai is stilldesert land, and the city is set to grow by atleast 400% its original size by 2010 (andcounting). Already, an entire city is risingliterally from nothing further down the roadnear the Jebel Ali district. There are about250 skyscrapers being built currently in thearea alone, and 4000 buildings all underconstruction simultaneously in Dubai city.As a testament to this rapid ballooning, 24%or 30,000 of the world’s cranes are in Dubairight now. When most of this current batch ofconstruction is completed by 2010, Dubai willhave a new downtown complete with theworld’s tallest tower, Burj Dubai sitting in frontof the world’s largest man-made marina(carved right out of the desert), a new airportcity with 6 runways (Heathrow has 2), 3subsequently larger Palm Islands, the World,and a new Dubai Waterfront, the largest ofall the man-made island complexes. On thecards too are Dubailand and Bawadi, thelargest tourist and hospitality developmentson the planet. Bawadi alone will contain 31hotels and 29,200 rooms.14

In recent years, Prime Minister SheikhMohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum hassought to rapidly diversify Dubai’s economythrough his wholly owned GLC Dubai Holding,by building a mini-city each for each ofthe identified growth sectors. Thesecompanies and industrial cities include:Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City,International Media Production Zone, DubaiInternet City, Dubai Outsource Zone, DubaiProperties, Dubai International Capital, DubaiEnergy, Dubai Knowledge Village, DubaiHealthcare City, Dubai Industrial City,Dubailand, the Jumeirah Group (whichowns Burj Al Arab and other hotels),and Dubiotech. Dubai and the UAE arepreparing in a big way for regional and globaldomination, even stating in Sheikhdombiography ‘Rashid’s Legacy’ its intentions ofbeing Capital of the World.The incredible speed at which architectureand cities, for that matter, are materialisedin Dubai deeply challenges thoughts andconventions about design and the process ofcreating. To be fair, most modern buildingsin the emirate are rather identical inconception; ‘iconic’ in their own way and partof an endless genealogy of permutatedelements: glass, steel, swooping curves,curtain walls, spires, in a relatively highquality nevertheless.The need for high speed and a high level ofinnovation necessarily puts pressure ondesigners to pull off the next technicalwonder. At an age when originality andconstructive mulling over a project seemsmost valued, there is paradoxically a greateranxiety for architectural confectionary - aphenomenon almost disconcerting.All in all, Dubai represents an ideal place towatch new realities take shape, both for thearchitectural profession and the ongoingglobal-city race. It is a shining metropolisdesigned to shake anyone who has seen it.Personally, Dubai speaks to me about theneed to think big and do things quickly in thispresent age, or risk perishing. Thisconnoisseur-city of the UAE seems to thriveon outdoing itself in audacity every now andthen, and constantly sets its sights on nothingbut the finest. Finally, to silence detractorsabout the perceived oil money that is keepingthe economy afloat, I would point to the factthat oil exports now account for only 6% ofthe current GDP. Oil money or not, it is vitalto recognise the need for the quality ofthought. Maybe we should all sit up, takeaway presupposed limitations and start todream?Dubai creek was the default centre of old Dubai, now largely occupied by working-class foreigners15

Looming Ambition - The urban form of Dubai is a reflection of the ideas and personalities of the ruling Sheikhs, in particular Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the current Vice-Pre16

Construction galore in Jebel Ali – more of such mini-cities to comeDUBAI - A City Is BORNEdison Pwee – Winner of Singapore Polytechnic– Hunter Douglas Architectural Category 2006Visitors to Dubai will be immediately struckby its stunning architecture.Dubai, which was once a desert has beenreclaimed by man and machine, is beingmade over into a glittering urbanenvironment where neon, glass and metalreign supreme.Dubai without the desert is of courseunimaginable - after all, this is where thecity sprang from.My visit to Dubai was a great eye opener. Itmade me realise how much architecture cancontribute to the starting journey of adeveloping country.18

The Dubai Museum Wind TowerAl Fahidi Fort, built last century, wasrenovated in the 1970s to become amuseum housing archeological finds of4000 years old.The architecture of old Dubai wasinfluenced by the environment, theteachings of Islam and by social culture.There are four categories of architecture,namely, residential (house, tents), religious(mosques), defence (towers, forts) andcommercial (markets). The design of theDubai Museum strongly reflects on theirstrong belief of Islam and the influence oftheir traditional culture.Dubai City in all its vivid transformation,never loses touch with its cultural andreligious roots, bringing forth a new-ageworld-class dynamic city that is differentfrom the rest.Burj Al Arab – Dubai’s rulers wanted alandmark to rival the Eiffel Tower orSydney Opera House, and the Burj AlArab (Arabian Tower) is like no otherbuilding. Completed in 1999, it is set on anartificial island about 300m from the shore,near the southern end of Jumeirah Roadin Umm Sequim. The architect, Tom Wrightof WS Atkins aimed to build a “state-of-theart”which is influenced by the profile ofan Arabian sailing ship.Completing the extraordinary trinityof Jumeirah International resorts, theMadinat Jumeirah is located adjacent tothe Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah BeachHotel. The resort itself is set among 3kmof winding waterways; the Mina A’Salamis right on the water and features attractiveArabic-style rooms facing the Burj (towers)or the lake. The sand-coloured buildings aretopped with legions of wind towers and theinterior is palatial. Mina has a distinctlyvillage feel to it which reflects on theharmony of Muslim community.Dubai is changing so rapidly that it may soonbe unrecognisable even to regular visitors.It is set to break a series of world recordswhich would redefine global architecturaland engineering standards. With this inmind for the future, we can certainly expectmore exciting architectural development forthis city.19

Mina A Salam - Madinat JumeirahAnother angle of Mina A Salam - Madinat JumeirahBurj Al Arab20

The International AllianceConference 2007 ExperiencePrepare to Learn, be Inspired and be Changed. The firstever International Alliance Conference (IAC) organised byHunter Douglas will be held in the Colorado ConventionCenter in Denver, USA, from 25 July to 27 July 2007.This is a marketing trade incentive program which is onlyopen to top Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Gallerydealers who managed to hit the sales target set for thisevent. Attendance to this exclusive event is by invitationonly. For dealers of Window Fashions (Singapore), theprogramme will include a sightseeing trip to Bangkok priorto the IAC.Qualified dealers can look forward to networkingopportunities with the best of the Hunter Douglas WindowFashions Gallery dealers fromaround the world.Participants include Hunter Douglas Gallery dealers,Showcase Priority Dealers®, Priority Dealers,International Hunter Douglas dealers, Hunter Douglas Fulllinefabricators, Alliance service providers, Hunter Douglasproduct brand teams, Industry experts from around theworld.Additionally, nationally renowned keynote speakers suchas Gen. (Ret.) Colin L. Powell, Daniel Burrus, Michelle Lambwill address a variety of topics to share with theparticipants how they could pursue innovative ways ofexpanding their businesses. Participants will learn aboutthe future of retailing; what will be important to customers,how experiences will impact the buying decisions and howmajor brands will adapt to new consumer retail patterns.Several new Hunter Douglas Product introductions andenhancements will also be launched at this event andparticipating dealers will get to learn more about thesenew launches first hand. These will be showcased in the92,000 square foot exhibition hall. Each Hunter DouglasBrand Group and Product Development team will also bepresent to address any queries.Each Alliance Service Provider will exhibit on the showfloor as well. Dealers will have the opportunity to takeadvantage of special offers and understand how eachprogram can help grow their business. These programmesinclude: Vehicle Wrap, Consumer Financing, AnsweringService, Apparel, Consumer Store Audit, Internet CustomerManager (iCM), Gallery Gold Guarantee (if applicable),Leasing Programs, the LifeTraits Quiz etc.For more information, please contact Sharon Yong ofWindows Fashions Division, Hunter Douglas SingaporePte Ltd at email:sharon@hunterdouglas.com.sgor 6862 4466.Duette Honeycomb Shades22

Heritance ShuttersSilhouette Window ShadingsLine Up of SpeakersDealers can look forward to learning from powerful speakers with insightful messages and information on three subject areas.The IAC keynote speaker will be GeneralColin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), one of the mostadmired people in America today. GeneralPowell will share his insights on leadershipand describe his vision for tomorrow.General Powell will illustrate what it takesto be a leader, providing strategies for“taking charge” during times of great changeand great crises. Participants will learn fromGeneral Powell how to remain focused, takeresponsibility and work toward improvingprocesses, organisations and people.IAC KeynoteSpeakerGen. Colin L. Powell ,USA (Ret.)Michelle Lamb will speak on the latesttrends in fashion and how this will effectwhat consumers will like, what impact itwill have on the businesses’ look and feel;the types of products, styles and colouredthat will be important and how HunterDouglas will be part of these trends.Michelle LambFounder and Chairman ofMarketing Directions, Inc.Dan, a futurist, will speak on what the futureholds, how it will impact individuals andbusinesses, how to forecast the future soas to take full advantage of it, leaving one’scompetitors in the dust. He will also morespecifically address the role technology andinformation will play in the future.Dan has been the featured subject of a PBSSpecial, has appeared on programs such asLarry King, CNN, and Bloomberg, and isquoted in a variety of publications, includingUSA Today, Fortune and Industry Week. Heis the author of six books, including thehighly acclaimed Technotrends, which hasbeen translated into over a dozen languages.Daniel BurrusFounder and CEO ofBurrus ResearchMarv Hopkins was appointed Chief ExecutiveOfficer of Hunter Douglas Inc., the NorthAmerican manufacturer of custom windowcoverings, in January 1995.He joined the company in 1986 as the firstpresident of the new Window FashionsDivision, based in Broomfield, Colorado. UnderHopkins’ direction, the division achievedexplosive growth by introducing a series ofaward-winning window coverings that haveachieved universal acclaim among consumersand designers throughout the world. Theseinclude Duette® honeycomb shades,Silhouette® window shadings, Luminette®Privacy Sheers, Vignette® Modern RomanShades, Alouette® LightLouvers, the Alustra®Collection of exclusive window fashions etc.Marv HopkinsPresident and CEO,Hunter Douglas Inc.23

Congratulations to the 2007Travel AchieversWe expressed our heartfelt congratulations to thefollowing Travel Achievers:Fabrik Etc Pte LtdOmmi InteriorsJ & S DesignJespiritUni Plus FurnishingsThey have each won tickets to visit the newest magical Disneyland in Hong Kong. Wewould like to thank all retailers who have participated. For those who have not wonthis year, do not despair as Windows to the World 2008 will be open soon forparticipation. Stay tuned for our announcement of the next travel destination.MISSIONSTATEMENT &CORE VALUESStrategic Service Direction ofHunter Douglas SingaporeHunter Douglas Singapore’sstrategic service direction embodiesthe following Vision, Mission andCore Values:VISION• As the market leader, we strive tohave a Hunter Douglas product inevery home and office in Singapore• Within the Hunter Douglas group,we aspire to be a model companyMISSION• We are the world market leadermanufacturing a wide range ofinnovative and quality architecturaland window covering products• We shall provide on-time delivery,reliable and friendly service at acompetitive price• Our aim is to offer fulfilment to ourstaff and to secure a reasonablereturn to our shareholdersCORE VALUESCustomer Oriented• Putting customers first• Providing reliable and friendly service• Achieving on-time deliveryInnovation• Seeking continuous improvementand new ideas to create value forour customers• Striving for creative ways of doingour work betterTeamwork• Working together harmoniously toachieve common goals andobjectivesIntegrity• Honouring our commitments tocustomers, staff and organisation• Being sincere and truthfulCommunication• Showing respect andunderstanding for each other• Being frank, open and receptiveStaff Well-being• Providing continuous training anddevelopment• Recognising good performanceWindows to the World 2007 Travel AchieversHunter Douglas Singapore is a proudrecipient of the Singapore Quality ClassPUBLISHER’S NOTEMake A Difference is published by Hunter DouglasSingapore Pte Ltd. For reproduction of articles andqueries, please contact:The Editor,“Make A Difference” NewsletterHunter Douglas Singapore Pte Ltd15 Joo Koon Crescent, Singapore 629015Tel: 68624466, Fax: 68616595Website: www.hunterdouglas.com.sgEmail: hds@hunterdouglas.com.sg®Registered Trademark of Hunter Douglas Trademark of Hunter DouglasPrinted by Tetra Press Pte Ltd24