Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Services (STARS), QLD

Verosol blinds helping patient recovery at STARS

STARS is a new type of health facility in which the focus is on patient recovery and natural light is welcome. Installed throughout the building, Verosol blinds are helping ensure this light is controlled and comfort is maximised.

The Building

Located in Brisbane, Herston Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) provides a range of specialist surgical and complex rehabilitation services, delivered in a patientcentric model of care.

Overall, the facility includes 184 beds, as well as several operating theatres, endoscopy procedure rooms, and consultation spaces. Operated by Metro North Hospital and Health Service, it is the first stage of the larger $1.1 billion Herston Quarter redevelopment.

The Requirement – A Connected Healing Environment

STARS represents a new type of medical facility: one in which  sterility )at least in terms of atmosphere) is abandoned in favour of light & brightness. Considering that many patients at the facility face long periods of recovery, the focus throughout is on positivity, well-being, and uninterrupted care.

Maintaining an outward connection is one thing, but such a reliance on natural light would not have been possible without the judicious use of window coverings. While the benefits to patients of the design strategy are clear, they can quickly turn into negatives when it starts to get too hot or glare becomes an issue.

To ensure this wasn’t the case, the architects specified blinds from high-end supplier Verosol. Specifically, they chose 205 SilverScreen Performance bronze and 737 Veropaque manual chain operated roller blinds.

The Solution

A blockout material, constructed from a fine 2×1 weave and featuring a colour coated backing for a uniform look from inside and out, the 737 Veropaque material ensures complete privacy; while the 205 SilverScreen Performance in colour bronze belongs to a  range of metallised fabrics that have been shown to regulate lighting and improve thermal efficiency more effectively than any alternative materials.

Combined in dual-bracket blinds, whereby one or other of the fabrics can be lowered to suit prevailing conditions – or alternatively both can be raised – these products have proven a perfect fit for STARS. They provide patients with privacy and light control and, considering their simple chain operation mechanisms, with the means to adjust them.

The installation of the blinds has resulted in significant energy savings of up to 270 MWh per annum and cost savings of $22,371.00 per annum.