Towards Net Zero – Blinds, Best Practice Sustainability & Beyond

Though sometimes overlooked on these terms, window coverings are an important consideration for specifiers motivated by sustainability. With their capacity to control not just light and glare but also heat, the best blind and curtain fabrics have a key role to play in improving thermal efficiency.

Incorporated thoughtfully, into projects of all types, high quality shading systems help reduce the need for artificial cooling. In this way, they improve operational performance and reduce carbon footprints.

Importantly, the best blinds are also produced with embodied carbon in mind. Aware of their product stewardship responsibilities, their manufacturers endeavour to minimise the emissions associated with production processes, transportation, and so forth. And they aim to limit the damage caused by their by-products.

In this session, we highlight the types of products that meet these standards and are therefore genuinely sustainable. Our speakers outline how to identify them and how to best incorporate them in your work.

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

• Define the term ‘Sustainable Architecture’ and explain how it relates to blinds and curtains.
• Identify the types of environmental damage that window covering products, which are not produced with this concept in mind, can cause.
• Identify the best environmental certifications and explain why they can be considered accurate.
• Outline the ways for specifiers to select genuinely sustainable window covering products.

Speakers

Alison Peach – Specifications and Account Manager – QLD, Verosol

Alison Peach has a more than 20 years in the window treatments industry in both residential and Commercial sectors, working B2C and B2B. Alison has a Bachelor of Business (Mgt), and enjoys the opportunity to collaborate and work face to face and end to end to deliver on required project outcomes. Alison has been with Verosol for six years and enjoys being a part of a world leading organisation covering Specification of Performance textiles and products, with wonderful opportunities working on notable projects. The window treatment industry is a specialist niche industry in which Alison strives to continuously develop her skills, knowledge and expertise.

Evalin Ling – Sustainability Manager – Green Star SME, Laing O’Rourke, VIC

Evalin Ling is currently a Sustainability Manager for Laing O’Rourke.
Her career with Green Star started in 2004 with NDY as their ESD consultant and lead Green Star Accredited Professional. She joined Probuild Constructions in 2016 and then Laing O’Rourke in January 2022. Across her career as a consultant and delivery manager, she has been responsible for the management, collation and submission of nearly 100 Green Star ratings throughout Australia. She is currently a facilitator for GBCA’s Green Star for Contractors course and actively contributes for the Responsible Materials Expert Reference Panel.

Jo Ann Kok – Senior Architect, Akin Atelier, NSW

Jo Ann Kok is a NSW registered architect and NSW DBP Design Practitioner with over 15 years experience. Having worked with top design practices in Australia and Asia, she has designed and led award winning architecture and interior projects with an emphasis on high end residential and offices. Jo Ann prioritizes clever detailing and elegant design outcomes, pushing the boundaries of tectonics and how building elements are put together.

Jo Ann works on her own projects with the philosophy that architecture is for everyone, advocating for architectural relevance in the wider residential built environment.
She believes that thoughtfully designed moments using simple materials can elevate everyday life.