King Shade & Window recently completed a custom window treatment project at the Arnold Arboretum for Harvard University. The project included a mix of solar screens, solar shades, room darkening shades, and motorized room darkening shades.
This was a larger contract job that required careful planning because the space had different needs in different areas. Some areas needed solar screen coverage to help cool the room while keeping the view. Other areas needed room darkening shades for times when the room needed to be darker.
The Visitor Center was a good fit for solar screens because people come in and want to enjoy the view. Privacy was not the main concern. The goal was to help control heat and sunlight without closing off the space.
Project Overview
The Arnold Arboretum project gave King Shade & Window the opportunity to install custom window treatments in a well-known Harvard University property.
The project included multi-layered shades in many areas. Most of the job involved solar screens plus room darkening shades. In the Visitor Center area, solar shades were used because the space needed to keep the view while helping cool the room.
Project Details:
- Project Location: Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, MA
- Client Type: Harvard University / Institutional property
- Project Type: Custom window treatment installation
- Products Installed: Solar screens, solar shades, room darkening shades, and motorized room darkening shades
- Special Features: Remote-controlled motorized shades and wall switch operation
The Challenge
The main challenge was choosing the right window treatments for how the space is actually used.
In the Visitor Center, the goal was not privacy. People visit the Arboretum because of the grounds, the trees, and the natural setting. The window treatments needed to help manage sunlight and heat while still allowing people to enjoy the view.
That made solar screens a good fit for the Visitor Center. They help soften sunlight and reduce heat while keeping the space open and connected to the outdoors.
Another part of the project required room darkening. The building has areas where films are shown, so King Shade installed motorized room darkening shades that can help darken the room when needed.
The building also includes round windows on the first floor, which made the project more custom than a simple shade installation.
The Solution: Solar Screens and Room Darkening Shades
King Shade & Window installed a combination of solar screens and room darkening shades based on the needs of each area.
Most of the job used a multi-layered setup. This allowed the space to have solar control during normal use and stronger room darkening when needed.
For the Visitor Center, solar shades were installed because they matched the main goal of the space. Visitors still get the view, while the shades help reduce heat and direct sunlight.
This is an important detail because solar shades are not the right answer for every room. They do not provide full privacy. But in a space like the Visitor Center, where privacy was not needed and the view mattered, they made sense.
Motorized Room Darkening Shades
One of the key parts of the project was the installation of motorized room darkening shades.
King Shade installed motorized room darkening shades up to the ceiling. These shades are remote-controlled and were installed because the space is used for films and needs to be darkened at certain times.
The system includes a wall switch, so staff can press a button when they walk into the room. There is also a handheld remote. This makes the shades easier to operate, especially because some of the shades are installed high and cover a larger window area.
The ceiling shades may not be used all the time. They are mainly there for times when the room is too bright for movies or similar uses.
Custom Work for Unique Window Areas
This project included more than standard windows. The building has round windows on the first floor. To cover the round window area and the full window area, King Shade installed motorized room darkening shades.
That kind of setup requires more planning than a basic window treatment job. The shades needed to work with the shape of the windows, the size of the space, and the way the room is used.
The final setup gave the Arboretum more control over light without taking away the purpose of the space.
Installation Scope
The Arnold Arboretum project was a larger contract job that required multiple window treatment solutions across different areas of the building. Here is a quick overview of the installation scope and key project details:
- Large-Scale Installation: King Shade completed the window treatment installation across the windows included in the project scope, making this a substantial contract job.
- Multi-Layered Shade Systems: Most of the work involved a combination of solar screens and room darkening shades to provide flexible light control throughout the building.
- Visitor Center Window Treatments: The Visitor Center included solar shades on the lower part of the windows to help manage sunlight while preserving the outdoor view.
- Motorized Room Darkening Shades: To cover the round windows and full window areas, King Shade installed motorized room darkening shades operated by both remote control and wall switch.
- Technical Coordination: The manufacturer’s representative participated in the project and helped oversee technical details to support a smooth installation process.
- Successful Completion: The installation moved smoothly from planning through completion, with the client signing off on the finished work and positive feedback coming from people working in the Visitor Center.
Overall, the project demonstrated how a custom mix of products and careful coordination can create a window treatment solution tailored to the needs of a unique public space.
The Finished Result
The finished project gave the Arnold Arboretum a practical window treatment system that matched the needs of the space.
The solar screens help cool the room while keeping the view open. The room darkening shades allow the space to be darkened when needed. The motorized controls make the shades easier for staff to use.
The completed installation came out clean, functional, and well-suited to the building. The client signed off on the project, and the people working in the Visitor Center were very happy with the result.
This project shows why custom window treatments need to be planned around the actual room. The right product depends on the view, privacy needs, sun exposure, room function, and how often the shades will be used.
For the Arnold Arboretum, the right answer was a custom mix of solar screens, solar shades, room darkening shades, and motorized controls.
Why Solar Screens Made Sense for This Project
Solar screens made sense in this project because the Visitor Center needed to keep the view.
Solar screens work well when a room is heating up, the view matters, and privacy is not a major concern. That is why the Visitor Center was a good fit. People come in to visit, and they want to see outside.
The solar screens help cool the room while still letting the space feel open.
That does not mean solar screens are right for every project. In rooms where privacy is important, or where stronger light blocking is needed, another shade option may be better. But for this specific space, solar screens matched the need.
Why This Project Matters
The Arnold Arboretum project is a strong example of King Shade & Window’s custom window treatment work.
This was not a simple one-shade-fits-all job. The project required different treatments for different needs. Some areas needed solar control. Some areas needed room darkening. Some areas needed motorized operation because of the window height and room use.
King Shade helped provide a setup that worked for the building, the staff, and the visitors.
It also shows the value of working with a local window treatment company that understands how products perform in real spaces. The right shade is not just about color or style. It is about how the room is used every day.
Custom Window Treatments for Boston Homes and Commercial Spaces
King Shade & Window provides custom window treatments for homes, offices, public spaces, and commercial properties in Boston and nearby areas.
Whether the project calls for solar shades, room darkening shades, motorized shades, blinds, shutters, or another custom window treatment, the team helps match the product to the space.
If your building has large windows, unique window shapes, direct sun, heat issues, or rooms that need different levels of light control, King Shade can help you choose the right solution.
Need Custom Window Treatments in Boston?
Need custom window treatments for your home, office, or commercial space in Boston?
Call King Shade & Window Co. at (617) 323-0600 or visit the showroom in West Roxbury to talk with the team about solar shades, room darkening shades, motorized shades, blinds, shutters, and other custom window treatment options.
FAQs
King Shade installed solar screens, solar shades, room darkening shades, and motorized room darkening shades as part of the project.
Solar shades were used because the Visitor Center wanted to keep the view while helping cool the room and reduce direct sunlight. Privacy was not the main concern in that space.
The motorized room darkening shades were installed because the space is used for films and needed the ability to darken the room when it is too bright.
The shades can be controlled with a handheld remote and a wall switch. The wall switch allows staff to press a button when they walk into the room.
