Powerhouse Parramatta

The vision for the project, crafted by Genton and Moreau Kusunoki, was bold from the outset: a future-focused landmark that challenges traditional boundaries and continuously evolves with the community it serves.

The building’s striking exoskeleton creates vast, flexible, column-free exhibition spaces that can adapt to changing displays, technologies, and community needs for generations to come.

Targeting a 6 Star Green Star rating and designed to run on 100% renewable electricity, sustainability is at the core of everything the project delivers.

Achieving net-zero operational carbon emissions required intelligent, high-performance building systems across the entire development, and automated shading was a key part of that equation.

Somfy-automated blinds were selected to contribute to enhanced comfort, glare control, daylight management, and an improved visitor experience, while directly supporting the museum’s sustainability and energy-efficiency objectives.

Automated shading also helps to protect exhibition spaces, making it invaluable for a museum of its calibre.

Somfy Commercial Expert Solis Products managed the installation of the 747 motorised roller blinds, 84 Zip system motorised blinds, and 5 motorised curtains.

The roller blinds and Zip systems are driven by 813 Somfy WT motors, while the curtains are powered by 5 Somfy Glydea WT motors.

The intelligent solar shading system is controlled via KNX 4AC Motor Controllers and KNX RTS Receivers, enabling intelligent, centralised management across the building’s diverse spaces.

Solis Products worked in close collaboration with Verosol and Somfy to deliver the integrated shading solution which supports the building’s smart sustainability targets.

“The collaboration between Solis, Verosol, and Somfy was instrumental in delivering a seamless automated shading solution for Powerhouse Parramatta,” said Scott Johnston, General Manager Sales at Solis Products.

“The combination of high-performance fabrics and intelligent automation helped achieve both occupant comfort and the project’s sustainability goals.”