Clariant Innovation Center, Shanghai

Clariant Innovation Center – Shanghai, China
Project overview

Clariant’s innovation center in Shanghai combines laboratories, offices and technical facilities within a four‑storey complex. The centre supports research and development in chemistry and materials and serves as a hub for the company’s Chinese operations. The building needed to provide high‑quality daylight to laboratory spaces while ensuring that delicate experiments are not disturbed by direct sun or thermal fluctuations.

Design challenge

Laboratories require consistent lighting conditions and minimal thermal variation to support experiments. At the same time, Clariant wanted to provide its staff with comfortable, naturally lit workplaces. The building includes a low‑rise lab block and a taller administrative building, each with different daylighting needs. The shading system had to respond appropriately to these varied contexts and be controllable from a central management system, as the R&D team is focused on research rather than operating blinds.

RetroSolar strategy

The laboratories employ fixed RETROLux 20 mm blinds integrated into the sash frames
retrosolar.us
. These blinds are set at a constant angle that prevents direct sun while allowing diffuse light into the labs. In the high‑rise administrative building, motorised RETROLux 50 mm blinds provide adjustable shading; their movement is controlled based on the sun’s position and internal light requirements. The simulation for the slat tracking was carried out in Germany and uploaded to the building’s control system over the internet, ensuring precise operation
retrosolar.us
.

Building physics and performance

The fixed blinds in the laboratory block offer maintenance‑free shading that eliminates glare and reduces heat gain, critical for maintaining stable lab conditions. The adjustable blinds in the administrative block allow occupants to balance natural light with glare control. Because the system responds to solar geometry, it operates efficiently without user intervention. The combination of fixed and movable RetroSolar solutions demonstrates flexibility in meeting different functional requirements within a single complex.

Architectural outcome and significance

The Clariant innovation center exemplifies how RetroSolar technology can be tailored to different building zones. Researchers enjoy bright laboratories free from glare, while office workers benefit from adjustable daylighting that supports various tasks. The project underscores the importance of simulation and central control in achieving optimal shading performance. It also highlights RetroSolar’s capability to handle the demands of scientific environments where precision is paramount.