As the shift towards a more holistic notion of sustainability in the built environment takes shape, and the trifecta of outstanding performance, environmental profile and appealing aesthetics becomes a standard requirement, there is less and less room for compromise. End users expect more from buildings; architects, designers and construction professionals demand more from building materials – and manufacturers, suppliers and distributors everywhere are desperately trying not to fall behind in this dynamically evolving landscape.
A genuine pioneer in the fields of sustainable solar shading, Verosol has been ahead of the curve from the very start when its founder invented a unique metallised fabric that went on to define the brand’s legacy. Now, with a mission to make sustainable solar shading available to all, Verosol offers a comprehensive range of environmentally advanced products with varying compositions to ensure everyone can specify sustainable solar shading for their project. The 123 Earth Screen fabric stands out as one of their most popular, and widely specified, solutions. And for good reason.
Designed to seamlessly integrate with Verosol’s Roller Blind systems, the material strikes an exceptional balance of value, performance and environmental profile, offering an attainable and high-quality sustainable solar shading option for virtually any project. In fact, the 123 Earth Screen fabric has been instrumental in shaping some of Australia’s most exciting recent architectural projects. From the iconic Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct in the City of Geelong and the Olderfleet development in Melbourne, to striking projects in Queensland, Verosol’s versatile material lends itself to any project. Here, we delve deeper into what makes it such a universal choice.
At last: Sustainable solar shading that ticks all the boxes
Made from the same PVC-free, fire-retardant polyester as its sister product, the metallised 103 SilverScreen Earth fabric, the 123 Earth Screen boasts a subtle woven texture and a timeless aesthetic. Propelled by a carefully curated range of neutral colours – including bespoke bi-colour options – the fabric can flawlessly integrate into any architectural style.
The refined design language is backed by the fabric’s outstanding performance – due to its innovative composition, 123 Earth Screen allows natural light to filter through, while mitigating the harsh effects of the Australian sun. The result? A reduction in solar heat gain, glare and UV rays, without sacrificing natural light or views of the outdoors – all of which has a positive impact on energy use, indoor comfort and occupant wellbeing.
This commitment to wellbeing is also expressed through 123 Earth Screen’s impressive array of certifications. The fabric boasts the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class IV certification, a trustworthy guarantee that the material is free from harmful substances, further underscored by the Greenguard Gold certification demonstrating that the fabric meets stringent standards for low VOC emissions and indoor air quality. Additionally, the fabric has been awarded an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), Global GreenTag PHD PlatinumHEALTH, and Global GreenTagCert™ GreenRate - Level A, validating its outstanding environmental credentials.
The Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct: Expansive views, exceptional indoor comfort
123 Earth Screen's impressive environmental certifications were a key factor in its selection for one of Geelong's most high-profile developments in recent years: the Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct. In addition to thermal control, glare management, sustainable manufacturing practices and the overall corporate responsibility, it was crucial for the specified blinds to be PVC-free and boast a GBCA certification. Verosol’s 123 Earth Screen fabric ticked all the boxes.
Designed by Cox Architecture, this stunning building prioritises transparency and connection to the surrounding environment, with an extensive glazing strategically designed to maximise the views. At the same time, the project team had ambitious sustainability goals, which meant that maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures and minimising glare became paramount. A clever integration of Verosol’s 123 Earth Screen fabric was essential in achieving these impressive goals. Specified together with Verosol's Ambience roller blinds, the fabric's exceptional solar control properties significantly reduce heat gain and glare through the building's robust glazing, contributing to the targeted 6 Star Green Star rating, and elevating the project’s overall sustainability profile. From a visual standpoint, the fabric’s warm, neutral tone and woven texture harmonise with the building's design, accentuating the connection between the interior spaces and the surrounding civic precinct.
The Olderfleet development: Where past and present intertwine
Verosol's 123 Earth Screen fabric also played a key role in the sustainable transformation of Melbourne's historic Olderfleet development. Grimshaw Architects chose this high-performance fabric for its ability to enhance thermal efficiency and contribute to the project's ambitious environmental goals. Designed to achieve a 6 Star Green Star, 5 Star NABERS energy rating and 4 Star NABERS water rating, this development is the first of this kind in Australia to achieve a Platinum Core and Shell WELL Pre-Certification. Verosol’s fabric, specified in both manual and automated blinds, was an essential part of this pioneering achievement.
In addition, the material has been integrated in a custom Onyx Bronze shade. Made with two different yarns selected specifically to reflect Grimshaw Architects’ unique vision, the bi-colour flawlessly harmonises with the modern glass tower, and the restored heritage facade. This seamless integration of 123 Earth Screen throughout the building aptly highlights its versatility and adaptability in the face of diverse design needs and visions.
The Brisbane Quarter: Custom solar shading for harsh Queensland sun
A little further North, in the heart of Brisbane's bustling CBD, Brisbane Quarter’s three volumes emerge from the city’s skyline as visual symbols of urban revitalisation. This impressive project seamlessly integrates a 41-story commercial tower, a luxurious hotel, and a residential tower. Here, Verosol's innovative Ambience motorised roller blinds, featuring the 123 Earth Screen fabric, play a pivotal role in bringing the vision for the commercial tower to life.
The Earth Screen fabric's solar reflectance reduces heat gain and glare, ensuring energy efficiency while maintaining the building's open and airy ambiance. At the same time, the innovative material was essential in addressing the project’s unique challenges posed by the tower's tight radial corners. Demonstrating outstanding ingenuity, Verosol’s team expertly crafted custom-fabricated blinds to ensure a flawless fit, and not even the daunting 5-metre-high double-height glazing at the highest levels posed a challenge, as they seamlessly installed heavy-duty roller blinds to ensure the fabric's graceful descent.
Showcasing Verosol’s ingenuity, customisation capabilities and environmental potential, the seamless integration of the 123 Earth Screen fabric not only helps realise the project’s unique vision but also significantly contributes to its impressive energy efficiency.
The Jubilee Place: Hiding in plain sight
Just down the road from the Brisbane Quarter development, the Jubilee Place project – a 14-story commercial development – enhances the city’s skyline with a unique diagrid structure designed to overcome the challenge of a road tunnel running beneath the site. In this case, Verosol's Ambience Roller Blinds were chosen to create dynamic contrast while maintaining a transparent look to preserve the visibility of the diagrid structure from both inside and outside the building.
Verosol provided numerous samples to the architects, which helped streamline the selection process and ensured the chosen products met the client's needs and preferences, and the project ended up using a mix of 500 manual and motorised blinds in two fabrics: 123 Earth Screen and Verosol 737 Veropaque blockout. The Earth Screen fabric, in black, allowed for views outside, while the Veropaque blockout fabric, in charcoal black, provided privacy and light control when needed.
The blinds were installed with curved integrated blind boxes that aligned with the rounded corners of the facade, enhancing the building's overall aesthetic appeal. By using Verosol's blinds, the designers successfully highlighted the visual character of the structural diagrid – an essential aspect of the architectural vision – while meeting the functional needs of the tenants and providing shade and glare control.
Vision for the future: Sustainable solar shading for all
As the architectural landscape evolves towards a more holistic – and demanding – approach to sustainability, Verosol's 123 Earth Screen fabric demonstrates that innovation, environmental responsibility, performance and sophisticated aesthetics can not only seamlessly coexist, but be widely accessible. In combination with its exceptional metallised sister product, 103 SilverScreen Earth, Verosol’s highly considered range of sustainable solar shading fabrics provides a comprehensive solution for the most intricate or ambitious of projects. In that, it shines light on what the future of sustainable architecture might look like – and while it’s most definitely glare-free, it is also very bright, and clearly within reach.
