Levolux’s bespoke Solar Shading System has helped to give Scottish Widows’ third and final building in its Exchange Place development in Edinburgh the highest green credentials, leading to an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating and a B+ EPC rating.

Designed by cre8architecture, the striking £60m development comprises 210,000sqft of premium office space. Standing out from its two neighbours, Exchange Place 3 incorporates a host of eye-catching, energy efficient features, including a bespoke Solar Shading system and Ventilation Louvres, courtesy of Levolux, the UK’s leading Solar Shading specialist.

The bespoke Levolux Solar Shading system comprises of 1060 Accoya Timber Fins, 40 laminated Glass Fins and extensive Matrix XL Brise Soleil, fitted to exposed elevations. These combine effectively to shade glazed areas on each of the building’s five floors, preventing excessive solar heat gain within the building. This is essential to maintain a comfortable internal environment in a naturally ventilated building, without the need for mechanical cooling or air conditioning equipment.

Complementing the overall scheme, Levolux also installed a bank of Ventilation Louvres to plant room areas on the north and west elevations, between the ground and fourth floor. With a combined length of more than 41 metres and a height of up to 3.1 metres, the dark grey powder coated aluminium Ventilation Louvres feature an aesthetic ‘S’ profile blade, with an integral double leaf door and rear mesh backing.

As with all timber used by Levolux, the Accoya timber used on this project was sustainably sourced to ensure a minimal impact on the environment. Thanks to its inherent quality, structural stability and durability, Levolux was able to offer a ten year warranty for the finish applied to the Solar Shading system, while the materials themselves have a life expectancy of up to 60 years.

Peter Bowman, Partner at cre8architecture, praised Levolux, commenting; “We worked closely with Levolux to achieve the concept design and realise the aesthetic and performance characteristics which have helped to create a unique city centre building. We were very impressed with Levolux’s contribution on this project.”

The Exchange Place development, which includes three office buildings around a new public piazza, is already making a positive impression to Edinburgh’s business community with lettings in all three buildings. As its latest addition, Exchange Place 3, with its bespoke Levolux Solar Shading solution and attractive Ventilation Louvres, becomes one of the best examples of eco-building technology in practice today.

Email: chrisp@levoluxltd.co.uk