ISSEY’S CONTRIBUTION TO AUSTRALIAN SPORTS IMPROVEMENT

The country’s top sports organisation brought a large scale light problem with unusual installation challenges to Issey, who, with creative design and innovation, delivered a purpose-built, effective solution.

The Client
The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) leads the expansion of elite sport and is widely recognised in Australia and internationally as a world best practice model for elite athlete development. The AIS is the finest elite sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services.

When the AIS was experiencing sun problems in one of their training domes, they called on Issey for a purpose-built, effective solution.

The Challenge
The AIS biomechanics dome houses the two-storey laboratory where athletes are filmed and their actions measured as they run, jump or throw. Though the dome is a landmark of the modern AIS complex, the technicians working within the building were experiencing major problems.

The lab functions within the dome were being hindered by excessive light entering through the top of the translucent roof during the day. The brightness was not allowing for visual clarity or accurate testing with the sensitive equipment. The comfort level of the staff was also being affected by the heat; they found that they had to wait until late afternoon or early evening to conduct any testing.

Issey was challenged to provide a product that would block out a majority of sunlight, and would have to install it on a 12m high roof without drilling into the dome. No drilling was allowed due to a fear of falling debris landing on the floor, potentially injuring staff and athletes, or falling into expensive testing equipment.

Proposed Solution
After a lot of brainstorming and creative designing, Issey proposed a variation of their external product, the Issey Rollerfall waterfall window awning, to suit the internal curved blackout application.

Each of the nine systems measure 5.5m x 2.7m and overlap to ensure that minimal light enters through gaps, ensuring effective sun control.

The systems are outfitted in a Indtex Blackout fabric which blocks out most light and heat to ensure athlete and staff comfort, as well as more accurate testing by the technicians.

The Job
Because Issey could not drill on the dome, Lane van den Akker, the owner and principle designer of the systems, came up with an innovative alternative to securing the shades; a method of technically and securely bolting the heavy, robust systems around the existing steel structures.

Issey installers had to use safety harnesses and access equipment to secure the systems to the dome. Executing the job also required liaising with different people as there were several departments involved.

The systems were also motorised due to the size and height of the installation, and hardwired back to a central location for easy operation. The motorised retractability of the systems made operation simple, whilst also allowing for protection of the systems when not in use. When retracted, the shades withdraw into a slimline headbox which provides protection to the system and therefore prolongs the life of the system.

Project Wrap-Up
Issey provided purpose-built, effective solutions to AIS, benefiting staff and athletes alike. The clients were ecstatic about the result, the product, the experience, and the professionalism.

The Issey systems could be extended during the daylight hours to allow for effective testing of the elite athletes and teams, and be retracted to allow natural light back in when required.

Issey not only met, but exceeded the expectations of the Institute.

Links
http://www.ausport.gov.au/index.asp