Huu-ay-aht First Nations

Huu-ay-aht First Nations is as elf-governing, modern treaty Nation whose lands are in the Barkley Sound region on the west coast of Vancouver Island, at the entrance to Alberni Inlet.

The lands and waters making up their traditional territories have been occupied by them since time immemorial. As a leader among First Nations, Huu-ay-aht First Nations will create certainty for its people and generate wealth for financial independence by providing economic opportunities, social, cultural, and recreational programs for all Huu-ay-aht people.

The problem

When the designers at the architectural firm of David Nairne + Associates located in North Vancouver, first developed a design for this multi-purpose building on the Huu-Ay-Aht First Nations reserve in Bamfield, BC. they assumed that the generous overhang would be sufficient to shade the sun-facing windows. However, when they put the design through a software program that tracked the profile and azimuth of the sun's path throughout the year, they discovered otherwise.

The low angled sun in the early morning, late afternoon in the summer, and well always in the late Fall, Winter, and early Spring would cause some discomforting glare to the occupants. The native band's building committee had made several important requests.

The solution

The First Nation's building committee wanted the building to be orientated to the South-West, to offer a view of the Pacific Ocean. They requested that the building have a lot of natural daylighting and that the windows would not require any form of interior shades that would obstruct the view outdoors. They also requested that there be opening windows and that it would be possible to have potted plants, next to the interior of the glazed walls

The designers contacted Bill Newman of Newman Architectural Products to discuss a possible solution. Mr. Newman reviewed the design requirements and suggested that Microlouvre Koolshade® would meet all the requirements. A reduction in the amount of solar gain was one of the reasons why Microlouvre Koolshade® was specified. Our Microlouvre Koolshade® screens were quickly and easily fitted on the outside of windows thus lowering the amount of direct sunlight whilst still allowing clear views through the large windows.

After the installation of the Microlouvre Koolshade® screens and after several months of sunny and warm weather, it was reported that all the design requirements had been met to the satisfaction of both the architects and the owners.

Results

• Significant reductions of solar heat gain
• Permanent unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean
• Perfect natural daylight with 100% CRI
• 80% Natural ventilation
• Blocked up to 100% direct glare