Interior toldos—sliding shades

The new Salt Lake City Library features a simple, but effective bit of ancient technology normally found outside. A six-story interior atrium links the interior spaces of all levels of the library with the outside, including the Children’s Library located in the basement. But while the atrium opens up each level to nature, it creates the additional burden of excess solar gain at certain times of the day. To mitigate this problem for the children’s level, architect Moshe Safdie & Assoc. and associated architects VCBO worked with Sugar House Awning & Canvas Products to develop these retractable shades.