By Verosol
The Unicredit Tower is a skyscraper in Milan, Italy. At 231 meters, it is the tallest building in Italy. The impressive glass facade required a sustainable solution to control solar energy and its impact on the temperature inside the building.
THE BUILDING
The building was designed by architect Cesar Pelli and was topped out on 15 October 2011, with the attachment of its spire. The building serves as the new headquarters of UniCredit Bank. The Unicredit Tower is part of a larger development of new residential and business structures in Milan’s Porta Nuova district, near Porta Garibaldi railway station. The tower is ranked eighth in the Emporis 2012, that awards skyscrapers for excellence in their aesthetic and functional design (source Wikipedia).
THE REQUIREMENT
The UniCredit Tower, designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, is part of the redevelopment of the Porta Nuova-Garibaldi area to create the Milan Business Centre. The complex has a LEED Gold certification.
The Towers are characterised by the curved mature of the reflective glazing that plays with the light, creating interesting dynamics between the towers and the surrounding buildings. The glass facade however, poses a challenge regarding energy efficiency.
THE SOLUTION
To optimise energy efficiency, all offices and meeting rooms have internal roller blinds with Verosol 802 SilverScreen Enviro fabric in colour 0000.
This metallised screen is highly reflective and 100% recyclable, with Oke-Tex, Cradle to Cradle and Greenguard certifications.
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Verosol is a specialist in the design and manufacture of functional interior solar shading fabrics and blinds.
"Verosol products are manufactured with an environmentally responsible outlook"
Founder Cornelis Verolme established the Verosol vacuum metallising company in 1965 and developed a process - still unique today, of applying a microscopic layer of aluminium to textile, to create innovative performance fabrics.
Verosol is the inventor of metallised fabric and pleated blinds and continuously innovates to offer the highest performance in sun and daylight control to create more comfort and a sustainable building environment. Headquartered in The Netherlands Verosol has facilities in The Netherlands, Australia and Spain, with a worldwide licensee network for global distribution.
Our headquarters and manufacturing facilities arelocated in Revesby, NSW, Australia, service Australia, Asia Pacific, and are supported by distribution centres and staff located in every capital city in Australia.
"Creating a Better Environment is a logical extension of our mission as a company, which is to support sustainable environments, where people can live and work comfortably."
Since Verosol was founded in 1965, Creating a Better Environment has always been at the heart of all our activities. From the very beginning, our products have been designed to contribute to significant energy savings and a comfortable environment.
Verosol's Dutch facility is at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing. Verosol’s FR and Polyester fabrics meet stringent European standards in the colouring of fabrics without the use of dye baths. Few toxic and non-degradable materials are used in the production of fabrics and non-toxic chemicals are used in the production of its flame retardant fabrics. Furthermore, no lead or heavy metals are used.
“Green planet considerations is a priority for Verosol, at a time when global warming is in the hearts and minds of governments, businesses and individuals alike.”
Verosol worldwide is committed to providing a product that will reduce the production of greenhouse gases.
Verosol’s savings calculator demonstrates how the use of Verosol metal backed fabrics can prevent thousands of kilograms of CO2 being produced in air-conditioning running cost savings alone.
To estimate possible reductions iin CO2 emissions, simply contact Verosol to arrange for an energy savings calculation.