November 30, 2007—Architects, building developers, owners and renovators now can use the MechoShade Systems’ Mecho/5 solar shading system with EcoVeil shadecloth to contribute to a LEED Innovation in Design point. The point can help buildings achieve LEED Green Building Certification, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels.
Mecho/5 with EcoVeil shadecloth is the first complete solar shading system that contributes to an Innovation in Design product, according to its manufacturer. The environmentally friendly system qualified when the US Green Building Council, which manages the LEED program, included Cradle to Cradle certified building products in the Innovation in Design category.
Mecho/5 with EcoVeil received Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification earlier this year from MBDC, the sustainable product development and consulting firm founded by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. It is the first complete solar shading system to receive Cradle to Cradle certification, says MechoShade.
Mecho/5 is the fifth generation of MechoShade’s flagship, manual solar shading system. It installs easily and operates smoothly, says the company. Accessories include fascia, pockets, closures and side channels. The shades are often visually transparent, allowing building occupants to see outside. They enhance worker productivity by minimizing solar heat gain, excessive brightness and annoying glare from direct sunlight.
The EcoVeil shadecloth is made from a new material-a thermoplastic olefin (TPO) based yarn. It looks, feels and performs similarly to the vinyl coated polyester yarns that MechoShade has produced for 35 years, says the company.
EcoVeil is washable, UV resistant and flame retardant. It is antimicrobial so it does not support staph and mildew and contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) so it does not contribute to sick building syndrome.
For more information, see the Web site.
