Q&A with Sam Shervill, Silent Gliss
Sam Shervill is the Marketing Manager at Silent Gliss Ltd. Having worked there for 15 years, her role includes managing the development and introduction of new products and fabrics. She has a particular interest in technical fabrics and is excited about the way in which design is becoming as important as functionality. We sit down with Sam and discuss the theme of Office and the impact Interior Shading and blinds have on an office environment.
How do you think the office sector has changed over the past 5 years?
The biggest change right now is with the development of ‘Social Office Space”, companies trying to attract young dynamic staff are creating workplaces that feel like social space. Open plan, fun areas that encourage collaboration and creativity but most importantly are places you want to stay at and not go home!
“companies trying to attract young dynamic staff are creating workplaces that feel like social space”
Are there any new products you have developed?
Silent Gliss have revisited the fabric ranges and products offered as office window shading. Instead of white and grey we now offer vibrant colours to co-ordinate with trendy design schemes. Additionally, the increasing use of large expanses of glass to maximise views has meant we have had to develop blinds that can go up to larger sizes.
Are there are new uses and facilities for your products?
With the use of more open plan office arrangements we have seen an increase in the use of curtains to provide temporary room dividers, allowing smaller, more flexible spaces for meetings which can then be opened back up afterwards.
What does Interior Shading consist of?
Interior Shading is the term given to the systems and fabrics used to manage the light and heat entering a building through the window. This can range from a low level of shading to a full blackout solution. The solution chosen will depend on the office location, how the space is being used and access to the windows. Over recent years there has been a definite shift from Vertical blinds, to Venetian blinds and now more to roller blinds where the wide choice of fabrics and colours make it a more flexible offer.
What impact do blinds have to an office?
The blinds impact the amount of natural light in the office. The main challenge when planning interior shading for an office is obtaining the balance between natural light with a view against glare and heat overload. Silent Gliss offer a range of screen fabrics that offer a ‘mesh’ screening, delivering direct, un-diffused light but in controlled measure. Often we need to offer varying degrees of ‘openness’ around the building depending on whether they are north or south facing in order to get the best balance and comfort levels.
“The main challenge when planning interior shading for an office is obtaining the balance between natural light with a view against glare and heat overload.”
Design Insider are looking to develop a ‘One Word’ page where we discuss design. What one word would you use to sum up Design and why?
Form – because form can relate not only to the to the shape of an object but also how it is arranged and how it comes into existence. Form can be used to describe design as object and a process.