Specification support

The biggest challenge in designing and developing the right infrastructure for high performance facades and dynamic solar shading is the need for expert insight in the design and specification of the control solutions.

Specification

Design & specification are key to:

create the best possible long term solutions
maximize the comfort for the occupants and the harvest of natural daylight
minimize the energy consumption in the building

As it happens, we are passionate about optimizing our control solutions in order to create an ideal environment. And we are eager to share this expertise and our insights with you. This way you can meet the unique and evolving requirements of your projects…during every stage of the development.

Meeting the unique and evolving requirements of your projects...

Areas where we can support you in regards to specification include:

Expert insight into dynamic solar shading solutions depending on the specific context of your project
Education of control technologies for solar shading
Planning and solution design
Schematic drawings and system overview

In our download section you will find a complete library of useful datasheets, commercial brochures, drawings, etc to support your specification work. Don’t hesitate to give us a call to discuss all the possibilities available for your project!

We can help!

When you are designing and specifying the appropriate solution for your project, it is always useful to have an expert guiding you through the major decisions. Obviously, we are available to provide hands-on-guidance regarding what to consider. Key areas include the physical characteristics of the building and its surroundings, the functions required in the building, general type of system, and more...

10 typical questions to be considered where our experience can be leveraged

What is the orientation of the facades? Will shadows be cast from nearby structures (or natural surroundings)?
What type of technology is most appropriate? Stand-alone system or is integration with a BMS desired? When is an open protocol solution (eg KNX) the best alternative?
What are the cost benefits with a wire free solution and when should this be applied?
Will the building be continuously developed? Would future changes to the building require complete rewiring of the solar shading control system?
Is the house occupied by one company or is it divided between different tenants?
How many control groups or zones should be used - and where should the sensors for wind and sun be placed?
Which specific functions are required – energy saving, safety, fire alarm connections?
Should the tenant, or individual, be allowed to influence the control during office hours? We call this “Personal Control”.
Should the local control be connected via wire or wireless?
Is remote access from supplier or facility manager required for remote maintenance or monitoring?

Building simulation software

Reliable, accurate and easy simulation with ESBO (Early Stage Building Optimization).

ESBO is the first building simulation software fully endorsed by ES-SO and based on the calculation engine in IDA ICE - the market leading tool for simulation of energy and indoor climate in northern Europe. With ESBO the use of dynamic solar shading can be simulated according to the established ISO 15099.

Start the simulations with ESBO...

ACT FOR GREEN

At Somfy our passion for green and environmentally friendly solutions reaches way beyond the legal requirements in every country. This is why we have started our own initiative called ACT FOR GREEN. It is a voluntary eco-design approach of Somfy products to reduce the total environmental impact of the product throughout the entire life cycle, from extraction of raw materials to the end of life processing, manufacturing use and transport.

Green by any standard - including our own

Somfy’s dynamic solar shading solutions will help you conform with many different green rating system requirements such as LEED, BREEAM, BEAM Plus, Green Star, Miljöbyggnad but also to comply in those countries were the building regulations are becoming more stringent, like Tech 15 in Norway. Read more about the positive effects on energy consumption, comfort and well-being coming from dynamic solar shading solutions on our website.

Have you seen our reference projects? If not, check them out!

BIM

A catalogue of Building Information Modelling (BIM) objects is available in our download section. There you can find 3D drawings of our building control products. The files are in .rfa format (RFA family, Autodesk Revit) and can be loaded into your CAD project (Autodesk Revit).

Specification support