LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.—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. The environmentally friendly system qualified when the U.S. 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. Cradle to Cradle products use safe and healthy materials, can be reused or recycled, are manufactured with energy- and water-efficient processes and are otherwise socially responsible. MechoShade Systems products already are in a number of LEED Certified buildings.
Products Enhance Productivity
Mecho/5 is the fifth generation of MechoShade’s flagship, manual solar shading system. It installs easily and operates smoothly. Accessories include fascia, pockets, closures and side channels. All qualify for Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification. MechoShade Systems’ Cradle to Cradle products enable buildings to be more environmentally friendly and energy efficient. They enhance worker productivity by minimizing solar heat gain, excessive brightness and annoying glare from direct sunlight. The shades are often visually transparent, allowing building occupants to see outside. Studies of worker productivity show connection to the outside is beneficial to people.
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.
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. MechoShade customers in the future will be able to return their EcoVeil shadebands for recycling into new EcoVeil shadecloth or other TPO products.
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