FOCUS: Building materials, occupant wellness.

OVERVIEW: tbm designs is an innovator reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment. Its InVert™ self-shading window system takes no energy to save energy, using biophilic thermo-bimetal pieces inside a standard double-paned sealed window cavity, reflecting heat away from the building, and reducing energy demand and costs by 25%. InVert enables floor-to-ceiling windows and beautiful facades while keeping out the solar heat that would otherwise pour in. At the same time, these windows maintain a view outside for occupants without making the windows dark the way most current approaches do. The thermo-bimetal material reacts to solar heat to activate the system that then blocks that same heat from entering the building. This reduces the need for air conditioning, in turn reducing energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Unlike with other window technologies, InVert requires no electrical energy, control mechanisms, or human intervention to operate. Resulting shading provides a reduction in heat gain of 2-3 degrees Fahrenheit, which can reduce artificial cooling needs by 28%-42%, and allows for 70% visibility while providing for 90% shading coverage to a building's interior. Three elements essential to human wellness—view, daylight, and color spectrum—are not only retained but also maximized for building occupants.

WEBSITE: tbm designs