Infiniti Shading - Case Studies

Glydea Electric Curtain Tracks, Blindspace Boxes, Motorised Roller Blinds & Control4 Smart Home Integration — Mudeford Luxury Waterfront Development, Christchurch, Dorset

Project: Luxury waterfront residential

Track System : Glydea

Concealment : Blindspace

Automation : Control 4 series

Date of install: 05/2025

Products: Bespoke motorised curtain tracks and roller blinds manufactured in-house

The Brief

Mudeford sits at the edge of Christchurch Harbour, where the Avon and Stour meet the sea. It is one of the most sought-after waterfront addresses on the Dorset coast. A new luxury residential development here demanded a window treatment scheme that matched the setting — considered, beautifully made and technically uncompromising. Specifically, the brief called for fully motorised curtain tracks and roller blinds throughout. Furthermore, all hardware had to sit completely concealed within bespoke ceiling cassettes. Finally, the soft furnishings needed to co-ordinate with the architecture and the water views beyond.

The specification brought together four interlocking elements. First, we selected Somfy Glydea Ultra electric curtain tracks for the principal living and bedroom windows. Second, we commissioned bespoke Blindspace concealment boxes to house both the tracks and the motorised roller blind barrels within ceiling-recessed cassettes, invisible when not in use. Third, we specified motorised roller blinds in blackout and dim-out Warwick Fabrics for precise light control in every room. Fourth and finally, we produced a full suite of bespoke hand-made soft furnishings — interlined wave curtains, scatter cushions, pelmets and upholstered elements — drawing all fabrics from the Warwick Fabrics collection to create a co-ordinated interior throughout.

The installation demanded early engagement with the developer’s design team and main contractor during the fit-out phase. We confirmed all ceiling void depths, motorisation wiring routes and Blindspace box positions before plastering began. Nothing in this scheme was retrofitted — we integrated every element from the start.

The systems — specified and integrated

Glydea Ultra 60 electric curtain tracks

We selected the Somfy Glydea Ultra 60 motorised curtain track as the primary system for the principal rooms throughout the development. The Glydea Ultra 60 carries curtain loads of up to 60 kilograms per track. This capacity is essential for floor-to-ceiling interlined wave curtains, where generous fabric quantities and heavy interlining push combined curtain weights beyond what lighter-duty motorised systems can handle.

The Glydea Ultra runs at near-silent speed. Its progressive start and stop motion prevents fabric bounce on opening or closing — a quality that distinguishes it from lower-specification motorised tracks. In a high-end residential setting, this difference is immediately perceptible. Moreover, we programmed each track with intermediate stop positions, so occupants can open curtains to a specific point for privacy whilst still enjoying the harbour view. This feature proved particularly valued on the waterfront elevations.

Smart home control

We commissioned all Glydea tracks via the Somfy TaHoma smart home platform. As a result, occupants control every track via smartphone app, tablet or voice command. They can also set scenes across all rooms simultaneously. In addition, we fitted Somfy Situo remote handsets and flush-plate wall switches in each room for local control

Blindspace bespoke concealment cassettes

We housed every curtain track and roller blind in the scheme within a bespoke Blindspace concealment cassette, recessed into the ceiling void and finished flush with the ceiling plane. The Blindspace system eliminates the visible hardware that typically compromises the clean lines of a motorised installation. When the curtains are closed and the roller blind is down, there is no visible track, no motor housing, no fascia and no wiring. The window treatment simply disappears into the architecture.

Ceiling void depths need confirming at the design stage and communicating to the main contractor before the ceiling forms. This step is critical. In fact, early appointment of the window treatment contractor is the primary reason Blindspace installations succeed or fail on development projects. On this scheme, we established our collaboration during the fit-out phase. We set out all box positions on the structural drawings and chased all M&E wiring to the correct locations before any finishing trades arrived on site.

We manufactured the Blindspace boxes to bespoke dimensions for this project. Each cassette accommodated the Glydea track, the motorised roller blind barrel and the wave curtain fabric stack within a single ceiling slot. Consequently, the ceiling plane remained entirely clear in every room.

Motorised roller blinds

Motorised roller blinds specified in every room as the primary light control layer, operating independently of the wave curtains on the Glydea track and the same Control4 scene programming.

Installation, commissioning and handover

Pre-contract co-ordination

We integrated the window treatment programme into the main contractor’s fit-out schedule from the first fix stage. Our team attended a pre-contract meeting on site at Mudeford to confirm three things: the ceiling void depths for the Blindspace cassettes, the wiring routes for all motorised systems, and the trade sequence to ensure all M&E provisions were in place before ceiling boarding. This early engagement is the single most important factor in a successful Blindspace installation. Unfortunately, many window treatment contractors join a project too late for this — which is precisely when ceiling detail problems occur.

Installation and commissioning

We installed all Glydea tracks and Blindspace cassettes during the second fix phase. By this point, the M&E contractor had pre-terminated and tested all motorisation wiring. After the tracks were in, we immediately hung the roller blinds, set their limits and commissioned them. On the same day, we configured the TaHoma gateway, registered all devices and grouped them by room and scene.

We completed curtain making off-site and timed delivery to coincide with the final fix. Our dressers then attended site to complete the wave setting on every track and position all soft furnishings in their final locations.

Phased handover

We delivered the project across multiple apartments in a phased sequence aligned to the developer’s snagging and handover schedule. At each handover, we demonstrated the Somfy TaHoma system, remote handsets and app control to the incoming resident. The developer specifically requested this demonstration. As a result, post-completion technical queries were significantly reduced.

Specification summary

Full specification of systems, products and integration programmed for this Mudeford, Christchurch development.

Frequently asked questions

Do you install Glydea electric curtain tracks in Dorset?

Yes. We supply, install and commission Somfy Glydea motorised curtain tracks throughout Dorset and the South Coast. Our service area includes Christchurch, Mudeford, Bournemouth, Poole, Sandbanks and the wider BH postcode area. We work with architects, interior designers, main contractors and private clients on residential and commercial projects of all scales. Contact our specification team to discuss your requirements.

What is a Blindspace box and why is it used?

A Blindspace box is a bespoke ceiling-recessed cassette that conceals motorised curtain tracks, roller blind barrels and associated hardware within the ceiling void. The result is a room with no visible hardware at all. When the blinds or curtains are closed, the treatment appears to float from the ceiling. Blindspace boxes require co-ordination with the main contractor during the fit-out phase. Specifically, you need to confirm ceiling void depth, M&E wiring routes and box positions before ceiling boards go up. We manage this co-ordination as part of our full project service, attending site meetings from the pre-contract stage.

Can the Glydea track and motorised roller blind be controlled from the same smart home system?

Yes. On this Mudeford project, we commissioned both the Glydea tracks and the motorised roller blinds within the Somfy TaHoma smart home platform. As a result, occupants can control curtains and blinds in each room independently or as a grouped scene from a single app command, remote handset or wall switch. The TaHoma platform also integrates with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Home. For projects using KNX, Crestron or Lutron building management systems, we advise on the appropriate motor variants and integration components.

What Warwick Fabrics ranges are suitable for motorised roller blinds?

Warwick Fabrics produces a comprehensive range of roller blind fabrics, including blackout, dim-out and screen fabrics. All are suitable for motorised roller blind systems. The correct fabric depends on the required light exclusion performance, the roller blind system and any fire retardancy requirements for the project type. We hold Warwick Fabrics samples and advise on suitable options during a free consultation or site visit. Furthermore, we confirm all fabrics are compatible with the motor and barrel dimensions before ordering.

Do you work with architects and main contractors on specification projects in Dorset?

Yes. We provide a full specification support service for architects, interior designers and main contractors across Dorset and the South Coast. This includes early-stage design advice, Blindspace integration details, motorisation wiring schedules and product data sheets for contract documentation. We have extensive experience working within main contractor programmes on phased residential developments. We can also provide a named project contact from pre-contract through to handover. Trade accounts are available for contractors and developers with regular project requirements.