Dom’s Richmond home had just undergone a carefully planned extension designed to bring more light into a compact cottage style space. The new layout featured generous glazing, including a large fixed skylight positioned directly above the family dining table. It created the bright atmosphere he wanted, but it also introduced a clear problem. The table would sit directly under the glass, and Dom could already imagine guests feeling the heat on their backs and sunlight in their eyes.
As the structure took shape, the issue became impossible to ignore. Dom said, “I could see there was going to be an issue with heat and glare once I saw where the light hit the new space.” The goal was simple. Keep the light, keep the clean lines, and keep the room comfortable throughout the year.
Dom wanted a solution that blended into the architecture. He explained, “I wanted a minimalist look. I did not really want to know about the blind when it was not there.” The skylight was a key design feature, so anything bulky or visible would undermine the calm, modern feel of the new room.
He also wanted to avoid the maintenance concerns of an external system. “I thought an internal solution could work really well. I wanted to keep it simple,” he said. The answer needed to be discreet, reliable and capable of managing heat during the warmest months.
Working with Dom during the early stages of construction, we introduced the idea of using a Blindspace box to conceal an Athena electric roof blind. The timing was critical. The builders were laying joists when Dom called. As he put it, “You basically said I had to do it now today. A week later it would definitely have been too late.”
A Concealed Blindspace Installation
The Blindspace box created a dedicated recess within the ceiling structure. This allowed the Athena blind to disappear completely when not in use. The builders had never used the product before, but Dom said, “It was clear what it was doing and it worked seamlessly in the end.”
A High Performance Fabric
Chris guided Dom through fabric choices and sent samples to review in natural light. Dom chose a neutral white performance fabric that complemented the ceiling and reflected heat effectively. “All was very seamless,” he said. The selected fabric offered strong solar reflectance, helping to keep the dining area cool even during heat waves.
The finished space delivers exactly what Dom hoped for. The blind glides out smoothly when needed and disappears completely into the Blindspace box when retracted. The skylight remains a clean architectural feature, with no visible cords or clutter.
Dom summed up the performance simply. “It is completely effective. It does exactly what we wanted it to do.” He added, “We have had a few heat waves this summer and I have been really happy with the way it has worked.”
The room now stays comfortable, the light is controlled, and the minimalist aesthetic remains untouched. The Blindspace and Athena combination gives Dom the bright kitchen he envisioned without the drawbacks of uncontrolled solar gain.
This project shows how thoughtful planning and concealed technology can elevate a modern living space, delivering comfort and clarity without altering the design.
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