Apple HH5 Cork
04/04/2025
Apple Campus Cork HH5 Project Showcases Cutting-Edge Sun Shading Automation with SMI Venetian Blinds and KNX Control
The latest development at the Apple Campus in Cork — the HH5 project — stands as a beacon of intelligent building design, with sustainability and occupant comfort at its core. Among its advanced building automation systems, the HH5 building features an innovative solar shading solution: SMI-controlled Venetian blinds with integrated sun-tracing automation. These systems dynamically adjust based on real-time solar positioning to prevent overheating and optimise daylight use across all four facades of the building.
A Smarter Approach to Solar Control
The HH5 project implements Standard Motor Interface (SMI) Venetian blinds, a protocol that allows for precise control of individual motors over a shared bus. This setup enables smooth, silent operation and individual slat angle adjustment — crucial for balancing solar gain and glare reduction throughout the day.
What sets this project apart is its sun-tracing automation. By tracking the sun’s path across the sky, the blinds are automatically adjusted to provide optimal shading at the right time and angle. This intelligent control helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature, significantly reducing the need for active cooling — a major contributor to energy consumption in modern office spaces.
Full Façade Integration
Unlike typical installations focused on south-facing windows alone, the HH5 building features sun-shading control on all four facades. This holistic approach accounts for solar exposure at different times of day and seasons, ensuring energy efficiency and visual comfort for all building occupants.
Commissioning Support from KNX Ireland
We at KNX Ireland were proud to support our customer, InTouch Controls, in the commissioning of this technically advanced project. Our involvement included the setup, testing, and fine-tuning of the KNX-based automation logic to ensure seamless integration of the SMI blind system and optimal performance of the sun-tracking algorithms.
Our hands-on expertise in KNX and smart shading systems allowed us to help deliver a responsive, reliable solution that aligns with Apple’s high standards for sustainability and innovation.
Building for the Future
The HH5 building is a clear demonstration of how smart automation can contribute to a building’s energy performance and user experience. With real-time adaptive control, minimal energy waste, and future-ready infrastructure, it’s a testament to what’s possible when modern building automation meets forward-thinking design.
At KNX Ireland, we’re committed to supporting integrators like InTouch Controls in delivering these kinds of intelligent systems — bringing smarter, greener buildings to life, one project at a time.
