RIBA House of the year scales new heights thanks to QMotion blind control.
Simple to operate, quiet-running, automated blinds from QMotion UK have brought problem-solving comfort and convenience to the family of Caring Wood, the award-winning RIBA House of the Year designed by James Macdonald Wright of Macdonald Wright Architects and Niall Maxwell of Rural Office for Architecture.
Inspired by the traditional coast houses of Kent, this dramatic, new build home was described by the RIBA House of the Year jury as a "brave" new prototype for multi-generational living. The house provides a home for three generations of one family. It is divided into four interconnected blocks, representing the four units of the family: the owners and their daughters' husbands and children. Spatial grandeur is a major theme inside the property, but this presented a particular challenge for a number of the window coverings.
Tim Powell of Sussex-based Powell Blinds takes up the story. “We were asked to provide blinds throughout the property that would be easy for all the occupants to operate. In certain spaces, we decided on an automated solution because of the sheer scale of the windows. Their height and size made it difficult for a manual solution, plus an automated option would bring its own benefits in comfort and convenience. QMotion’s wirelessly operated automated blinds proved to be perfect for the job.”
Powell Blinds installed automated blinds from QMotion UK at Caring Wood. The shades are linked to QMotion’s Qsync operating system which allows the blinds to be operated over the home’s wireless network. In this way, the homeowner can operate the blinds using the QMotion app from their smart phone, or any compatible device, for extra convenience.
The blinds are versatile enough for automated operation individually or as a synchronised group, silently dropping to a pre-programmed position, when desired. At the same time, QMotion features a manual override function which ensures that if, for any reason, the family choose to pull on any blind, it will respond, without causing any damage to the automated mechanism.
Aesthetically, the blinds are also an excellent fit for the sleek interior scheme at Caring Wood. Outward facing Black Out fabric has been used to help reduce direct glare from the sun. QMotion roller shades blend neatly into the interior design of the home whilst keeping side light gaps to a mere 13mm on each side for optimum shading performance.
The blinds are also ultra-energy efficient thanks to QMotion’s patented spring-counterbalancing system which keeps battery powered motor consumption to an absolute minimum and delivers near silent operation in every application. The recyclable D cell alkaline batteries will last for up to 3 years before replacement, based on two fully up and two fully down positions each day.
About QMotion UK
Headquartered in Milton Keynes, QMotion UK manufactures a comprehensive range of motorised blinds for installation in new and retrofit home and office integration projects. Solutions are available direct to installers in the UK or via the company’s network of distribution partners across Europe. QMotion’s industry leading, patented technology is designed and developed by QMotion Incorporated based out of Pensacola, Florida.
For more information, please contact:
Ian Claxton, Director or Jeff Hayward
QMotion UK Wildwood PR
35 Alston Drive The Stables, Meadow Court
Bradwell Abbey Faygate Lane
Milton Keynes Faygate
MK13 9HA RH12 4SJ
Tel: +44 (0)1908 047980 Tel: +44 (0)1293 851115
iclaxton@qmotionshades.co.uk jeff.hayward@wildwoodpr.com
SOLUTIONS
