It works primarily on behalf of the German Federal government and has around 1000 employees working at its head quarters in Eschborn. In July 2006, head office renovation was completed, providing bright, light-flooded rooms which were to retain most of the day light as well as a view to the outside even with blinds let down.

The new-look GTZ head office is all about simple elegance and light. The rooms are bright with subtle colour schemes. Employees were given much freedom in the styling of their own office space and room designs were kept low-key by providing contrasts only through richly-coloured individual furnishings such as chairs or paintings.

The roller blinds were to match the subtle colour scheme on the one hand but exude simple elegance on the other, whilst letting through as much day light as possible but also offering the necessary shading. GTZ decided on a quality grade by Junkers & Müllers that could be perfectly integrated into the new room design concept. GTZ’s modernisation project manager Michael Müller is very positive about the fabric: “Selecting the right material wasn’t easy. There were two key deciding factors: the raw material was to aesthetically suit the rooms and at the same time offer a view to the outside. Many fabrics we looked at were transparent enough but didn’t offer adequate sun shading, or if there was enough shading there was a lack of transparency.”

JM’s Trevira CS fabric Clarea Alu FR offers an interesting look and perspective through its transparent visual effect and latticed weave structure. Its high level of transparency makes artificial light unnecessary even when the roller blind has been fully let down.  Rooms appear bright and welcoming without glaring sun rays.

Naturally, the material is suitable for use in computer terminal work environments. The aluminium-coated backing reflects incoming light and creates an interesting contrast to the textile feel.

Clarea Alu conforms to the German, British and French flame retardancy norms (B1, BS and M1). The material is available in four colours: a light and a dark grey as well as beige and a dark blue tone. It can be used in roller blinds or panel curtains.
In the meantime at GTZ, the blinds have already proven themselves: “The fabric quality is just what we expected. To date, there have been no complaints from our staff and everybody is extremely happy with their functionality,” according to Müller.
 
Junkers & Müllers specialises in in-door sun shading for the home as well as the contract business sector. The mid-sized company offers a broad spectrum of quality grades that are specifically geared towards contract business, such as flame retardant certified fabrics, textiles suitable for computerised work environments and relevant colour pallets. Extensive technical and material specifications can be applied to these products as a matter of course.
 

• Junkers & Mullers Tel: +49 (0) 2166 39 39 – 97