Innovative cool roof launched
Innovative cool roof launched - Vinyl Council Australia
| March 7th 2011 An innovative, durable shade system was on display at Green Cities 2011 in Melbourne last week, seen for the first time in Australia. The product has been developed by a consortium of university scientists and industry in Japan after extensive study of how to mimic the shading effect by leaves on trees. The Forest Shade structure uses a unique system of Sierpinski tetrahedrons which constructed together block 100 percent of the sun at a certain angle and provide a cool, dappled shade below. The fractal dimension of the tetrahedrons is the same as that of trees and so the Forest Shade provides a similar environment as that of a natural forest. Research and testing in Japan has shown that the Forest Shade dramatically improves shading and, unlike other shade cloths and flat roof structures, keeps temperatures below comfortably cool. As a result, it is able to help reduce heat-island effects in urban settings, making it ideal for commercial buildings, public spaces, parks and schools. Currently being commercialised, it has been installed in a small number of sites in Japan. "The response to the product was tremendous” Sophi MacMillan, Chief Executive of the Vinyl Council of Australia stated. “Visitors to our Green Cities' stand were fascinated by the tetrahedron structure and, as it is made of recycled and virgin vinyl, liked the idea of it.” The Vinyl Council was at Green Cities to showcase innovative and sustainable vinyl (or PVC) products as well as to provide information on the PVC Credit under the Materials Category of the Green Star environmental building rating tool, which was revised last year. “It was an ideal opportunity to educate about the benefits of choosing best practice manufactured PVC products” Sophi MacMillan said. Other new and innovative vinyl products at the stand included: • A new vinyl safety flooring, Tarasafe Ultra, from Gerflor, made with recycled minerals and crystals embedded into the vinyl. • A permanent form-work system, Dincel Construction, which improves durability of concrete walls, reduces embodied energy compared to conventional wall systems, and is strong enough to withstand high magnitude earthquakes. • Best practice PVC pipe products promoted under the‘Think Pipe, Think PVC’ campaign. • The Ozzano ‘Passive House’ was showcased with an impressive 3d model of the project, designed and realised at Ozzano Emilia, Italy by the architects from Studio Arkit in Bologna. |
| The Vinyl Council of Australia is working to advance the sustainability of the vinyl, or PVC, industry in Australia. Its members are drawn from across the supply chain of the vinyl industry. |
| For more information contact Tracy Morden, Vinyl Council of Australia, directly on 03 9368 4857. |
| info@vinyl.org.au. |
