Shade Factor supplies architectural sun shading systems for residential and commercial applications. Wiesebrock Architecture designed Forest Road House, a family home on a one-acre lifestyle block north of Geelong, Victoria, for architect Richard Wiesebrock’s family, integrating Warema External Venetian Blinds and a Warema Perea P40 Pergola Awning.
The house is organized around a central rammed earth wall built with material from the nearby You Yangs. The wall extends through the interior and exterior, using its thermal mass to help regulate temperatures throughout the year. Materials and finishes are arranged according to solar orientation, with light-absorbing materials to the north and brighter, reflective surfaces to the south. A galvanized steel awning and white plasterboard ceiling further help distribute natural light.
Sun shading was an integral part of the design brief, balancing connection to the garden with seasonal solar control. The external Venetian blinds prevent direct sunlight from reaching the glazing during summer, reducing thermal gain, while adjustable slats can reflect softer winter light deeper into the interior. Their silver finish complements the material palette and helps direct reflected light toward the ceiling.
The Warema Perea P40 Pergola Awning extends the shading strategy to the north-facing terrace, providing protection over the outdoor gathering area and adjacent glazing. When open, the awning allows the glazing to remain fully open and maintains the connection between interior and garden. When retracted, the system reveals the sky and surrounding landscape. Both shading systems were integrated into the architecture so that the systems recede visually when not in use.
