Industrial design firm TILT supplied innovative technologies and manufacturing techniques to provide shading for the new UTS Central building at the University of Technology Sydney.

The UTS Central concept, by architects FJMT (with the original Broadway Podium design by Lacoste + Stevenson and DJRD), was to design a building that responds to its harsh urban environment through both aesthetics and function.

Sunlight can now be controlled using operable blinds throughout the main tower, and by intricate sunshades on the north-facing façade, which were designed by TILT.

Light and heat penetration will be optimised using an algorithm relating to the sun’s position on any particular day of the year.

The sun shading system is designed to regulate the amount of sunlight entering the UTS Reading Room, a space with a triple-height atrium and striking glazed façade, optimising the room conditions for users.

The system is sensitively integrated into the architects’ concept and is itself a design feature of the building.

FJMT senior associate James Perry says the innovative system is not only extremely practical but beautiful too.

“The sunshades are incredibly exciting and will hopefully captivate the imagination of those within the building,” says James.

The 17-storey UTS Central is a new student hub, home to the UTS Library, Reading Room, a food court, and a range of teaching and learning spaces. It will also accommodate the Faculty of Law, a Science Super Lab and research facilities for the Faculty of Engineering and IT.