Shade Factor is a leading Australian specialist in custom-made, high-performance, and long-lasting shading products for residential and commercial buildings. For Sixty Martin Place in Sydney, Shade Factor supplied external venetian blinds as part of the building’s advanced active facade system.
Rising 32 storeys above Sydney’s CBD, Sixty Martin Place, designed by Hassell, is a commercial tower that combines expansive harbour views with a high standard of energy performance. Designed in collaboration with Arup, the building incorporates a facade strategy that balances natural light, thermal comfort and outward transparency. The tower’s core is located on the western side to shield interiors from the afternoon sun, while the northern and eastern elevations are opened to the harbour outlook.
To maintain transparency without sacrificing comfort, motorised external venetian blinds were integrated into the facade. Supplied by Shade Factor, these Warema systems feature perforated, highly reflective slats that reduce solar gain while preserving outward views. Their operation ensures that shading enhances rather than diminishes the occupant experience, providing control of glare and heat alongside uninterrupted connections to the city and harbour.
Automation underpins the system’s performance. Controlled via KNX protocols, the blinds adjust throughout the day in response to changing conditions, optimising daylight penetration and minimising glare while reducing reliance on mechanical cooling. This dynamic facade strategy, combined with high-performance glazing and integrated building services, contributed to the project achieving NABERS 5.5-Star Energy, WELL Platinum, and 6-Star Green Star ratings.
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