Hunter Douglas hosts 4,000 at first-ever International Alliance ...

Issue 33October 2007Reflecting Kranji:Narrating MemoriesAn exhibition by Architectural Students ofthe DTM ProgrammeOnly in its third year of implementation, the Design Technology & Management (DTM) programme is oneof the recent developments in architectural education offered by the Department of Architecture, NationalUniversity of Singapore. Architectural students having completed their third year have the option to selectthe DTM programme for their fourth and M. Arch years of study as an alternative path to earning theirprofessional degree. This programme is about architectural design founded on a desire to make ideaswork beautifully through holistic thinking and technical imagination. It is about creating an architecturethat always exhibits a clear idea of the relationship between technique and expression – that material,construction and environment are essential elements of the expressive language of architecture, and thatit is at its most eloquent when these are deployed with imagination. The DTM programme developsstudents to deploy that imagination with credibility.The curriculum enhances students’ design abilities with software evaluation tools, integrative designstrategies and creative use of architectural technology. The programme also empowers students with thecapabilities of evaluating their design performance in aspects of energy, daylighting and insolation throughthe use of digital simulation and modeling. These skills are extremely useful in the development of designstrategies for a sustainable green architecture. As the programme addresses pertinent and practical issues,engaging and learning from the industry is a constant activity. They are in the form of overseas and localbuilding study trips; factory and construction site visits; and involvement of expert practitioners in thestudents’ design works.In August this year, a group of six DTM programme students exhibited their fourth year design projects atthe Basheer Gallery. The exhibition known as “ Reflecting Kranji, Narrating Memories” showcased theirdesign of a sanctuary for reflection located at the Kranji War Memorial. The objective of the design projectis to demonstrate how architectural details and materiality can convey a process of healing and historytelling in a place laden with meanings of sacrifices, courage and honour. It is about technical solutions thatexpresses meanings and at the same time also engages our senses and emotions.The exhibition aimed not only to expose the design works to external critics but also as a vehicle for thestudents to develop soft skills in managing events to promote their professional training and designpotentials. The DTM programme exposes students to various technical knowledge, methodologies andtools of design that add value to the commencement of their professional career. Lavinia Lim, a DTMstudent was employed by Hunter Douglas during her semester break in work relating to design andperformance evaluation of sun shading devices. Her exceptional work performance helped her studiomates secure a sponsorship from Hunter Douglas for the exhibition.The DTM programme seeks to eliminate the mindset that separates design from technology. We contendthat design IS about technique and technology. Architecture that is founded on technical knowledge can(and should) be inspiring....continued on page 14MISSIONSTATEMENTTEMENT &CORE VALUESStrategic Service Direction ofHunter Douglas SingaporeHunter Douglas Singapore’sstrategic service directionembodies the following Vision,Mission and Core 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 trainingand development• Recognising good performancePUBLISHER’S NOTEMake A Difference is published by Hunter DouglasSingapore Pte Ltd. For reproduction of articlesand queries, 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 LtdHIGHLIGHTS2 International Alliance Conference8 Latest Product Offering13 The Gallery Advantage18 Study of Luxalon ® Sun Louvres Products23 Luxalon® Sun Louvres Systems24 Reflecting KranjiHunter Douglas hosts4,000 at first-ever InternationalAlliance ConferenceA Corporate Newsletter of Hunter Douglas SingaporeMICA (P) 222/11/200624Hunter Douglas Singapore is a proudrecipient of the Singapore Quality Class25

Hunter Douglas hosts 4,000 at first-ever International Alliance ConferenceHunter Douglas, one of the world’s leading manufacturersof custom window fashions, held its first-ever InternationalAlliance Conference at the Colorado Convention Center inDenver, USA, from July 25 to 27 2007 for its best andbrightest dealers to strategise together, share ideas andexchange information as they embrace the changes of aconstantly evolving global consumer market.The first event of its kind, more than 4,000 Hunter Douglasaligned retail dealers from around the globe, along with itsfabricators, select marketing partners and Hunter Douglasmanagement and product brand teams all gatheredtogether, at the same time and under one roof for theconference. The 92,000 square feet of exhibition spacewas filled to capacity with the most comprehensivepresentation of products ever shown at one time. Includedwere a number of significant new window fashionsscheduled for introduction in the later part of this year andearly 2008, highlighted by the revolutionary new Pirouette ®window shadings, which features adjustable soft fabricvanes that float gracefully in front of a fabric sheer. Anarray of marketing, merchandising and educationprogrammes was also showcased.A delegation of 26 Hunter Douglas Gallery top echelondealers from Asia made their debut at the conference thisyear.“ These are our top dealers and they will be going to studythe latest consumer trends and learn about the newtechnologies available, which they will bring back to sharewith and advise consumers and industry professionals inthe Asian markets,” said Hunter Douglas Asia RegionalDirector, Mr Jim Tan.“ The top Asian dealers are being sent to this showcase oftechnology, consumer trends and window covering designas a result of the increasing significance and rising affluenceof the consumers in Asia, and what they see and learn willultimately benefit our customers,” added Tan.The conference officially opened with an inspiringpresentation entitled “ Innovation” , which traced thedevelopment of Hunter Douglas from 1919 to 2007.The Honorable John Hickenlooper, Mayor of Denver,then welcomed everyone to Denver, and Marv Hopkins,President and CEO of Hunter Douglas (North AmericanOperations), spoke about how innovation definesHunter Douglas as a company. In the afternoon,General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), presented...continued on page 6The Exhibition Hall was filled to capacity with the most comprehensive presentation of products ever shown at one time.23

Keynote speaker, Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), with Hunter Douglas President and CEO (North American Operations) Marv Hopkins.The Honorable John Hickenlooper, Mayor of Denver, welcoming everyone to Denver.The first-ever Hunter Douglas International Alliance Conference included a preview of PIROUETTE window shadings, a totally newconcept in light control which features adjustable soft fabric vanes that float gracefully in front of a fabric sheer.45

...continued from page 2the keynote address, sharing his insightson leadership and his vision for tomorrow.Other speakers at the conferenceincluded Daniel Burrus, referred to by TheNew York Times as one of America’s topthree business gurus, who talked abouthow retailers can prepare for trends thatare a reality, not a passing fad, such asthe predominance of technology in today’sworld and the convergence of fourgenerations in the workforce. MichelleLamb, leading design expert and SeniorEditor of “ The Trend Curve ” newsletter,explained how design trends haveincreasingly shorter life spans and howfashion and home now influence eachother, rather than home following fashion.She highlighted upcoming design andcolour trends, explaining how neutrals arebecoming increasingly important alongwith eco-influenced décor. George Whalin,President and CEO of Retail ManagementConsultants, discussed the future of retailand provided easily implementable ideasto help dealers keep their businessesahead of the curve and better servetomorrow’s customers.Ms Sharon Yong, Sales Manager for Window Fashions Division, Hunter Douglas Singapore Pte Ltd, with the Singapore dealers at the conference.“ The combination of the speakers,conversations with other dealers and allthe other activities at the IAC truly servedas a great motivator. This will get peoplemoving toward improving theirbusinesses and trying new and differentthings,” said Kathy Kiefer, President andOwner of A Well Dressed Window inOmaha, Neb., and a Hunter DouglasGallery Dealer.Top Singapore dealers (from left to right), Ms Irene Ng (Fabrik ETC), Ms Wendy Soh (Ommi Interiors) and Mr Joshua Aik (Aik Brothers) in a photoshoot withMr Ralph Sonnenberg, President and CEO of Hunter Douglas Group.Singapore dealers receiving an Award of Excellence in recognition of their outstanding sales performance from Mr David Sonnenberg, Vice President (Business Development), Hunter Douglas Group.“ This was an industry first. Never beforehas Hunter Douglas or any other windowcovering company brought together sucha large and extraordinary gathering of retaildealer talent to learn and grow together,”said Marv Hopkins. “ The breadth of newproducts displayed – some of the mostpromising and significant we’veintroduced in many years – as well as theexceptional marketing and merchandisingprograms and other business-buildingtools presented was unprecedented. Thecelebrated speakers also provided manystimulating ideas for business and forlife.”To meet the needs of more sophisticated Asian consumers, a delegation of 26 Hunter Douglas Asian Galleries’ dealers made their debut at the IAC.67

Latest Product Offering -Pirouette ® Window ShadingsAttendees at the International Alliance Conference had a preview ofHunter Douglas latest offering at the IAC.Known as the PIROUETTE Window Shadings, this new, innovativeproduct combines the personality of a classic fabric shading with theability to control light in an entirely new way.At the heart of PIROUETTE window shadings is the revolutionary Invisi-Lift TM system.The system allows the horizontal fabric vanes to float gracefully providingunobstructed views when open and complete privacy when closed.Product features:- Three fabric styles, 44 fabric/colour combinations.- All fabrics, colours and vane sizes are available in semi-opaque androom- darkening variations.- The familiar EasyRise continuous cord loop operating system isstandard or choose the UltraGlide ® system for enhanced child andpet safety.- With the vanes open, the sheer backing maintains privacy, reducesglare and blocks up to 86% of harmful ultraviolet rays.89

In this issue of “ Make A Difference” , we reproduced two articles by two of the speakers, Mr DanielBurrus and Ms Michelle Lamb. We e would also like to share with our readers snippets of wisdomfrom IAC Keynote Speaker, , Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) and Mr George Whalin.Powell’s PrinciplesCreating and Sustaining aCompetitive AdvantageDaniel BurrusFounder and CEO of Burrus ResearchOne of the most admired people in America today, GeneralPowell shared with the audience his insights on leadershipand described his vision for tomorrow.“ Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off.”“ Great leaders are almost great simplifiers, who can cutthrough argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solutioneverybody can understand.”“ You don’t know what you can get away with until you try.”“ Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”“ Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems isthe day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that youcan help or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.”IAC Keynote SpeakerGen. Colin L. Powell , USA (Ret.)“ Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink fromdoing so just because you might not like what you find.”“ Organisation doesn’t really accomplish anything. Plansdon’t accomplish anything either. Theories of managementdon’t much matter. Endeavours succeed or fail becauseof the people involved. Only by attracting the best peoplewill you accomplish great deeds.”“ Organisation charts and hence titles count for next tonothing.”“ Don’t be buffaloed by experts and elites. Experts oftenpossess more data than judgement. Elites can become soinbred that they produce hemophiliacs who bleed to deathas soon as they are nicked by the world.”“ Never let your ego get so close to your position that whenyour position goes, your ego goes with it.”“ Fit no stereotypes. Don’t chase the latest managementfads. The situation dictates which approach bestaccomplishes the team’s mission.”Powell’s rules for picking people:“ Look for intelligence and judgement and, most critically,a capacity to anticipate, to see around corners. Also lookfor loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced egoand the drive to get things done.”“ Don’t be afraid to challenge the pros, even in their ownbackyard.”“ Never neglect details. When everyone’s mind is dulled ordistracted the leader must be doubly vigilant.”Part I: “ Use the formula P=40 to 70, in which P stands forthe probability of success and the numbers indicate thepercentage of information acquired.”Part II: “ Once the information is in the 40 to 70 range, gowith your gut.”“ The commander in the field is always right and the rearechelon is wrong, unless proved otherwise.”There are many ways to compete and yet mostcompanies focus their strategies on only a few.This narrow perspective limits a company’sability to create solid competitive advantages andsustain them over time. To be consistentlycompetitive, companies need strategies that encompass techniques foreverything from price, time and value to technology, image and service.Price-Based CompetitionThe most popular competitive technique is to focus on price. Having the lowestprice is a great advantage, but lowest price also means low margins and highvolumes in order to stay profitable. Price-based competition is a favourite techniqueof giants like JetBlue Airlines, Wal-Mart, Dell Computers and Amazon.com. Price,however, isn’t their only strategy. Let’s look at JetBlue as an example of a companythat executes multiple competitive strategies. In 2006, JetBlue was a profitablecompany, with their stock surging 156% since going public in April 2002. Inaddition to low prices, JetBlue lowered their operating costs by standardising toone type of jet, which dramatically lowered training and maintenance costs.Their technology enables over 700 reservation agents to work from their homesin Salt Lake City, saving both time and money. Nearly three in four tickets arebooked through JetBlue’s own website, saving commission costs and othertravel agent fees. The airline further differentiates itself from competitors byproviding comfortable seats and movies that add value. JetBlue continues toinnovate by being the first to allow pilots to carry laptops that automatically updateflight manuals. The best companies never focus on price alone. They combinemultiple strategies to create a lasting competitive advantage and continue toinnovate using technology that raises the bar for every strategy they employ.What’s the Difference Between Competers and Innovators?Competers copy others.Competers are locked into set patterns.Competers believe the future will take care of itself.Competers see scientific and technological developmentsas threats to their status quo.Competers collect massive amounts of raw data.Competers react to trends.Competers consider planning a necessary evil.Competers dread change and resist it.Competers avoid being different.Competers control and direct their people.Competers complain their people lack productivity.Competers use technology to save money.Competers favour predictable behavior.Competers believe problems impede progress.Don’t Imitate – InnovateCompetition will only intensify. In today’s marketplace, it is more important thanever to focus on innovation as you seek to differentiate yourself from thecompetition. When competitive pressure increases, it is natural to focus on whatthe competition is doing. Although keeping track of them is a good practice, toomany organisations watch their competitors at the expense of developing theirown innovations, and eventually discover there’s a price to pay.The Hidden Cost of CompetitionCompanies who spend their time studying the competition rather than lookinginternally put themselves at risk in a number of ways:1. They lose their identity by copying each other’s products, servicesand methods, making it hard for customers and employees todistinguish one from the others.2. Individuals and firms struggle with each other and lose sight of theirown customers and markets.3. Potential money-saving innovations are overlooked due to excessiveconcern with minor cost-reduction measures.4. Long-term profits, problems and opportunities are missed when alleyes are on short-term sales and profits.5. Resources that could be available for innovation are reduced in pursuitof the competition.6. Companies become complacent, believing they are secure if theymaintain market share.Innovators look for better ways to think and act.Innovators cultivate a creative mind set.Innovators focus on future goals and how to meet them.Innovators apply new technologies for new opportunities.Innovators translate raw data into useful action plans.Innovators profit from trends.Innovators strategically build change into the plan.Innovators adapt and try to master change.Innovators maximise their differential advantage.Innovators empower their people for positive action.Innovators help their people be more productive.Innovators integrate strategy, technology and people.Innovators encourage creativity in their people.Innovators turn problems into opportunities.1011

Michelle LambFounder and Chairman of MarketingDirections, Inc.Why I Care About TrendIt may surprise you to learn that trendforecasting for home décor hasn’t been aroundvery long, even though trend forecasting inapparel has been used for years. Just 25 yearsago, in the early 1980s, a few forward-lookingmerchants began to apply a trend perspectiveto home fashions products.At first not everyone in home fashions was on-board with the concept of trendforecasting. Lots of buyers, designers and retailers didn’t focus on trends anddidn’t think they needed to change. They believed that best-selling homefashions selections were all about creating good/better/best options thatshowcased different features and price points – and that success withconsumers was based on a combination of delivering fabulous service andproviding access to exclusive trade-only products.It didn’t take long for the benefits of a trend-focused point of view to becomeapparent to both consumers and retailers. Consumers found a new source ofenergy and excitement when they tapped into home fashions selectionsdesigned with trend in mind – and they became more confident that theirhome décor conveyed an up-to-date sensibility.Retailers began to see that home fashions selections designed with trend as astarting point provided a competitive advantage that translated into greatersales and profits. They realised the importance of reaching beyond personaltaste to focus on trend-right assortments. Within 15 years, almost everyoneunderstood the power of trend and was using it to their advantage.At the same time, good design began to creep into everyday productassortments. Famous name designers or staff design teams found anincreasingly receptive audience for well-coloured and well-designed products.These innovative patterns and designs began to appear in shelter and apparelmagazines, alongside colour features that pulled it all together for consumers.With so much information so easily accessible, consumers’ taste levels beganto rise – and they have never gone back.Now consumers demand good design at every level. They are asking for betterdesign and faster change. The life span of a trend, which was about 7 years inthe early 1980s, has compressed repeatedly. Now a typical trend is just aboutthree years and is expected to drop to two years by 2010.Today, consumers have a heightened sensitivity to design. They demand gooddesign at every price-point level, and there is an accelerating time frame forcolour, texture and design trends. This makes it more important than ever formanufacturers and retailers to understand and apply trend information to productdesign and how they work with consumers.We’re all winners in this growing focus on trend. Consumers benefit withbetter décor in their homes and the perfect combination of design and colour.Retailers, fabricators and manufacturers can count on trend for increased salesand profits.The Gallery Advantage - Become a HunterDouglas Window Fashions Gallery TM Dealer“Before the Gallery, we were doing everything about 80 percent right; nowit’s 95 percent. The variety of Gallery programs is like a chessboard. There arelots of individual pieces, and I can play with them in whatever combinationworks best.” - Basic Blinds - USBenefits of Becoming a Hunter Douglas Gallery TM Dealer• Increased sales, profits and consumer awareness• Unique and proven display environment• Differentiates your business from the competition• Training, training and more training• Receive the benefits of HD advertising• Exclusive collection of specialty products available only to Hunter DouglasWindow Fashions Gallery• Customised marketing programmes & added benefits that support yourbusiness• Grow with an International Brand• Network with other worldwide Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Gallery dealersAs a Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Gallery TM Dealer, we have put in placea series of programmes to partner with our dealers to build their business andbring more value to our customers. Programmes such as:• Product training – builds first line of customer trust and credibility• Business training – helps you run your business more professionally andmore effectively• Sales training1. Getting to know the customer2. Meeting customer needs3. Building long-term valued relationships with customers“In my 33 years of businessI have never attended atraining by a company thatfocused on making mycompany better and not justhow I could sell more oftheir products!”For more information onbecoming a Hunter DouglasWindow Fashions Gallery TMDealer, contact Ms SharonYong at 6479-7888 today.The Life of a TrendEMERGING PRE-PEAK POST-PEAK• Artisan talent and creativity • Trend is established • Sales begin to slow• Specialty stores • Volume sellers • More supply/lower prices• Early adopters/risk takers• Economies of scale and affordable pricing• Highest prices/modest sales• Proliferation of product and brisk salesINCOMING PEAK OUTGOING• Trend-forward retail and Web • Highest volume of exposure/interest/sales • Non-prestige locations• First price drop • The beginning of the end • Decline in quality with even lower prices• Mainstream America learns of the trend• Consumers aspire to own the trendDECLINE• No meaningful role as a fashion statementGeorge WhalinFounder, Retail Management ConsultantsBuilding Your Business in the New RetailMarketplaceAt the International Alliance Conference, Georgefocused his presentation on how to build one’sbusiness in the new retail marketplace. In hispresentations, George gave the audienceinnovative ideas as well as practical, hard-hittingstrategies and tools they can put to use rightaway to build their businesses, sell moremerchandise, and better serve today’s savvy consumers.What does the present day consumer expects?• Quality, name-brand products• Fair prices• Knowledgeable, helpful people• Multiple payment options• Respect for his/her time• Pleasant, hassle-free experienceHere’s a summary of George’s “Roadmap to Retail Success”:1. Leverage your strengths and eliminate your weaknesses2. Pay attention to the marketplace.3. Look for opportunities4. Treat every customer like your only customer.5. Challenge your mind-set.6. Distinguish your business from everyone else.7. Embrace change.8. Eliminate backward thinking.9. Invest in your people.10. Be the best… It’s the only marketplace that is not crowded.1213

“The design takes thetrench as a metaphorof war and theapproach of designingparts through themanipulation of detailsand materials, tocreate a whole thatcombines both ideaand function, allowingfor a greaterhumanisticappreciation of space.”Lavinia Lim“Careful arrangements of the composition of materialsand their integration with greenery, the architecture notonly exposes the characteristics of the materials, butalso forms meaningful views, recalling the”memories ofwar and the beautiful peace.Wu Fei“The design, to seekand take on asubservient role,involves breaking outof establishedpatterns in order tolook at things in adifferent way. Theholistic experience isamplified by engagingthe senses, subconsciouslytransporting one toyet another place.”Sarinah Sahmawi1415

“Sauntering throughthe rows ofheadstones andturning to view them,creates rhythm ofmovement that canonly be captured inthis war cemetery.The essence ofmovement, as ajourney reflecting thedark past to the brightfuture, is arousedthrough the designsof details andmateriality in theMemorial Sanctuary.”Siti Nur Aishah“The designed sanctuary provides visitors with a built environment inwhich they can be allowed to engage the environment. With thevisual connection between the proposed site and its environment asthe basis of design generation, the architecture can be said to bevisual boxes that extends towards the outside and together with thecentral courtyard, they create an internal and external linkage.Yang Li”“As one embarkson the journeythrough the ruins,a vagueconnection to thepast is composed.Let the wallsguide you throughthe spaces,where the storiesof war unfold.”Hong Shunjuan1617

Study of Luxalon ® Sun Louvres ProductsBy Lavinia LimLUXALON is a patented trademark of Hunter Douglas. The producttype under the LUXALON trademark is architectural products, rangingfrom interior products such as ceiling and cladding panels, to exteriorproducts such as louvres and exterior cladding. This study focuseson LUXALON Sun Louvres and the product types taken into analysisare:• 84R Sun Louvre• SL 70S – 132S Aluminium Sun Louvres• Aerofoils 200AF – 450AF• Aerobrise Sun Louvres Systems (Single/Double)This study is an exploration of the Sun Louvres products, with theaim of charting out the extent of daylighting potential of thesesystems and its usefulness in reality.The application of sun control systems in Singapore is concernedlargely with the shading capabilities of the product. Littleconsideration is given to the daylighting capabilities of the shadingsystem and the notion of balancing shading and natural daylighting.In the new light of environmental sustainability, designers are lookingout for products with greater energy saving value and naturaldaylighting is one energy saving method to tap into. Sun controlsystems hold the potential in providing natural daylightingpossibilities. They need not merely be shading systems but they cando a dual function of shading and allowing for daylight to enter theinterior space.Besides introducing daylight, the original function of louvres keepingout undesirable heat is still an important criteria in the choice of suncontrol products. Due to the necessity of keeping out the hotequatorial sun in Singapore, there is a large possibility of overshadingoccurring due to a lack of concrete pre-application study and analysisof the local climate and its result on the use of sun control systems.Hence the following study hopes to uncover the potential of the Sunlouvres products and its effectiveness in the Singapore climate, basedon Ecotect analysis.Singapore’s Solar ClimateIn order to engage product systems at their full potential, it isnecessary to first understand the local climate in which we are livingin. Understanding the solar climate aids designers in making a wellinformed decision with product choice and application.The solar climate in the tropics can be considered to be an extremeone with a very small range in variation. The solar climate in Singaporeis characterised by high solar radiation, high sun angle and a largeamount of diffuse daylight, all of which are relatively uniform in valuesthroughout the year. The following will introduce the main elementsof Singapore’s solar climate that greatly influences the use of naturaldaylighting and also the exposure to solar radiation.1. Sun PositionIn order to understand where the sun rays are coming from, it isimportant to refer to a sunpath diagram. The sunpath is theposition of the sun that constantly changes throughout the dayand throughout the year and a set of predicted sun positions ischarted in a sunpath diagram as seen in Figure 2. Figure 2 showsa stereographic projection generated from Ecotect, Figure 1,shows a sky dome projected onto a horizontal plane with theobserver located at the centre. Ecotect is a complete buildingdesign and environmental analysis tool that covers the broadrange of simulation and analysis functions required to trulyunderstand how a building design will operate and perform. Thesoftware is used extensively by engineers, local authorities,environmental consultants and building designers, as well asowner-builders and environmental enthusiasts alike.Figure 1 Figure 22. Sun AngleThe sun is positioned at a high sun angle above Singapore. Thesun angle between 1000 hours and 1400 hours is an average of65 o , refer to Figure 3. The sun angle is measured from thehorizontal plane to the ray of the sun when it hits the earth.The sun angle is an important factor in the application ofdaylighting systems, especially so in the use of sun shadingdevices and light reflectors as the angle becomes crucial in theeffectiveness of these systems. It can be generally said that ahigh sun angle prevents the illumination from the sun, frompenetrating far into a building interior, hence limiting its naturaldaylighting capabilities, thus a need for the use of daylightredirecting devices.The high sun angles reflected in Figure 3 corresponds to theSpring Equinox (20th / 21st of March) and the Autumn Equinox(22nd / 23rd of September) and the low sun angles correspondsto the Summer Solstice (21st / 22nd of June) and the WinterSolstice (21st / 22nd of December), giving an approximate sunangle range between 52 o and 89 o .Figure 3 Figure 43. Sky TypeThere are 4 different sky types and they reflect the level of luminanceof the sky that changes according to altitudes as shown in Figure 4.The sky type in Singapore is the International Commission onIllumination (CIE) Standard Overcast Sky. The Overcast Sky is acompletely clouded sky where the sun and its position are not apparent.The passage of radiation through the clouds usually produces close towhite light by mixing with moisture droplets. The distribution ofluminance in such a sky is symmetrical about the zenith and is lower atthe horizon than overhead.The luminance at the zenith is 3 times brighter than at the horizon. Anovercast sky due to high cloud cover causes a large amount of diffuseddaylight. However the diffused daylight in Singapore does not lack inbrightness, creating a whole sky of bright and glaring diffused light.This is unfortunate because the redirecting of direct sunlight is largelyeasier than redirecting diffused light and large amount of bright diffusedlight results in glare, which becomes a very big issue.Figure 54. Sun DirectionThere are basically only 2 Sun directions, North-South and East-Westof which daylight will penetrate a building. And East-West is the directionof the greatest concern due to it being the direction of sun travel, thusit is in this axis that a building will receive the most heat and illumination.Figure 65. Solar RadiationThe East and West are the directions of the greatest concern dueto it being the direction of the sun travel. Thus it is in this directionalaxis that a building will receive the most heat and illumination. Aresearch done by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), to analysethe amount of direct and diffuse incident solar radiation andtransmitted solar heat gain through a glass window, revealed thatthe total amount of solar radiation received on the east windowwas higher than that of the other orientations, at 370.3kW/m 2 .High solar radiation is expected in the equatorial region due to itsclose proximity to the sun. The diurnal temperature variation is small,from 31 o C to 33 o C during the day. The existence of such a largeamount of constant radiation infers that insulation from heat gainon a building façade is an important consideration. The lack of solarinsulation will result in the heating up of the interior space, leadingto a higher and more costly cooling load. Therefore, sun shadingdevices or sun deterring devices are essential in the tropical climate.The 4 louvred systems were compared based on the following criteria:1. Daylight LevelDaylight level is the amount of daylight that is allowed into theinterior. A high daylight level is ideal, for it results in savings inartificial lighting and other tangible benefits.2. Isolation LevelIsolation level reveals the amount of exposure the interior is allowedto solar radiation. The lower the level of isolation, the better becauseit prevents the interior from overheating.3. Extent of View to the OutsideA view to the outside is largely preferable in an office space. Viewto the outside can be defined by the elevational view or a slantedview out.4. Types and AdaptabilityTypes and adaptability of a system refers to the variations of aparticular system that allows it to be customised to apply to differentconfiguration of spaces and different climate. Adaptability is alsoimportant for it determines if special provisions are required for asystem’s application or can a system be integrated or beindependent of the building structure.5. Flexibility of BladeThe flexibility of blade refers to the blade’s ability for adjustment,be it manually or motorised. The ability to adjust the angle andorientation of the blade goes to aid the louvred system’s ability toblock out direct sunlight.6. Light Guiding PossibilityAnd last of all, the light guiding possibility is the opportunity of onelouvred system to be converted into a light redirecting device, whichgoes to improve the natural daylighting in a space.About LaviniaArchitecture to me is a means of humanistic design, tocreate sustainable buildings that embrace nature andspaces that elevate the human experiences. My designinclination is in the designing of parts to create the whole, through themanipulation of details and materials, resulting in a product, whichcombines both the idea and function, allowing for a greater humanisticappreciation of space.1819

Results of StudyEfficient Shading -84R Sun LouvresThe 84R shading system provides extensiveshading without cutting out undesirable views fromthe window. Its elegant panels come in numerousconfigurations that allows for great accommodationto design and façade contours. Its 4 different carriersystem enables it to turn corners effectivelywithout breaking the shading cover and allows forvariable louvred angles to be configured accordingto the solar climate. Moreover, its high shadingcoefficient achieved light weight louvres thatblocks out the direct sunlight, is ideal for shadingneeds that require the ease of integration withfaçades and fuss free supporting solutions.Conservative Shading –SL 70S – 132SThe SL 70S – 132S system offers an effective andsimple shading solution. Its profile is configuredto intercept all direct sunlight that falls on thewindow opening, greatly reducing the amount ofsunlight that reaches the interior and also providesan effective frontline protection against direct solarradiation. Despite providing such a protective layeragainst the sun, this system still allows for naturalventilation to occur as it allows air flow from theexterior to the interior and vice versa. It is alsouseful in providing privacy for the interior spaces.SL 132S Sun Louvre84R Sun LouvreSL 70S Sun Louvre2021

Aesthetic Shading –Aerofoil and AerobriseThe sleek shape of the Aerofoil and Aerobriseblades allow them to enhance the facades’aesthetic quality by adding a touch ofsophistication, whilst providing shading from thesun. The option of motorised adjustable bladesenables occupant control over the louvres, allowingthem to rotate the angles of the blades in order tomaximise daylighting and shading. The large rangeof blade sizes also provides a great level of flexibilityin adaptation to façade design, as such, the Aerofoilor Aerobrise can be established as the exteriorfaçade itself, due to their possibilities of largeshading coverage and its tapered ends, reflectinga sense of lightness and elegance on a buildingfaçade. The possibility of perforated louvres furtherenriches the exterior view provision.Luxalon® Sun Louvres System -Aerobrise SystemThe most effective way to control solar heat and indoorlight is to apply shading elements externally. TheAerobrise System can be classified as either SingleAerobrise System or Double Aerobrise System.By controlling and adjusting the sunlight that entersthe building, the system can:• Control and adjust indoor light.• Eliminate dazzle and prevent light pollution.• Prevent mirror reflection.• Control indoor temperature and save power.• Add a special dimensional effect to the building.Single AerobriseDouble AerobriseBritish School2223