Punta del Este is a popular seaside resort on the south coast of Uruguay. Situated on a peninsula, the resort is surrounded by 40 km of sandy beaches and offers optimum conditions for a vacation with beautiful countryside and an excellent climate. A new construction project is now intended to consolidate the reputation of Punta del Este as an exclusive and modern tourism centre: The luxurious, 26-storey “Torre Aquarela”. This apartment complex, which will be completed at the end of 2008 and is located right next to the beach, creates a thematic link to the neighbouring Atlantic Ocean thanks to its wave-shaped façade. In this respect Torre Aquarela has been conceived for the discerning upper classes in Uruguay and neighbouring Argentina. Naturally it also has automated sun protection: On the façade roller shutters protect against sun, sand and salt water.

Glass façades with efficient and elegant shading
For the automation of the roller shutters the project partner Tejare (Montevideo) looked for drives which fulfil two key requirements: Firstly, the drives have to be robust and maintenance-free as the building is subject to considerable erosion due to the effects of salt water and sand. Secondly, the movement of the roller shutters should cause as little noise as possible so as to ensure that residents and neighbours are not disturbed. The choice fell upon the RevoLine drives from elero. Some ca. 200 RevoLine drives from the VariEco M 20 series now move the roller shutters on the façade that faces the ocean. They are weather-resistant and fitted with a special soft brake which slows down the roller shutters before they close. This means the shutters close particularly quietly and gently.

Calm, comfort and climate protection united
The automation itself offers the residents in the 135 apartments two benefits: Comfort and energy savings. Considerable significance has been attached to convenience. Torre Aquarela offers all the comfort of a five-star hotel. For this reason, the buyers naturally expect shading at the push of a button. In addition, the automated sun protection also contributes to savings in terms of heating and cooling energy. For the apartments – which have a size of between 164 and 747 square metres – virtually have a full glass façade that allows heat to penetrate in summer and to escape in winter. Sun protection that is closed in good time – in particular when it is a question of insulating roller shutters – can reduce the movement of heat considerably.