Automated louvres ensuring thermal control in The Calyx at Sydney Botanic Garden

Automated louvres from Safetyline Jalousie were installed to help maintain optimum conditions for plant growth at The Calyx in Sydney’s Botanic Garden.

Located in the south western corner of Sydney’s Botanic Garden, The Calyx is a unique horticultural display and education centre built around the site of the original Arc Glasshouse. Designed by McGregor Coxall in collaboration with PTW Architects and Cockram Constructions, The Calyx, which opened in June 2016, has already become an iconic landmark.

The Calyx is a giant changing space for hosting events, exhibitions and displays. The multi-use building houses the largest changeable interior green wall anywhere in the Southern hemisphere. One of the most significant design challenges was creating spaces that were ideal for plants and comfortable for people.

A lot of thought and research went into designing the glazing element for the building since light transmission was an important factor for plant growth.

Automated louvres by Safetyline Jalousie and vertically opening skylights by EBSA Mechanical have been installed at The Calyx, contributing to both thermal control and superior architectural aesthetics. The louvres are installed at a high level, connected to the Building Management System (BMS) and programmed to open and exhaust heated air. Even in the event of a power outage, the louvres failsafe to an open position.

The Calyx hosts a range of horticultural exhibitions, which change with the seasons so the louvres play an instrumental part in ensuring that optimum conditions are maintained for the garden all year round.

Safetyline Jalousie louvre windows have recently been chosen over other louvre types for various commercial and education projects as they can easily, acting as a slave, be incorporated into the existing or any new BMS rather than be run as a separate standalone system. This enhanced functionality offers a sophisticated mixed-mode ventilation solution that can be used and certified fully compliant as part of a complete failsafe solution for fire mode/ smoke exhaust/ relief air/ stair pressurisation purposes.

Alternatively, Safetyline Jalousie louvres and motors can be installed as a standalone mechanical ventilation system utilising sensors for wind, rain, temperature, humidity and more.

Safetyline Jalousie louvres installed at The Calyx measured 1274mm H (9 blades) x 902mm W. The louvres in Dulux Shimmering Champagne 3116K were made from 6mm Clear Toughened Glass. Motorised LA drives were used for the operation.