Architectural Solar Shading

Look at any large commercial development, and chances are you will see some sort of solar shading or Architectural louvre system.

Now we all appreciate the benefits of natural light and the job of the architect is to help create an environment
where people can have a view to the outside together with natural daylight conditions.

The difficulty comes with the South facing elevations that have extensive glazing within the design. The solar gain through the facade, even with high performance glazing, as well as the glare can make for an unbearable situation.

This is where solar shading comes into its own. The architectural designer now has the option to choose from an extensive range of products and materials to control the glare and heat of the sun whilst creating buildings that evoke interest and admiration.

Solar shading is usually formed using horizontal "louvres" suspended between vertical "fins" that line with the vertical glazing "mullions". The louvres can be formed using a variety of materials, aluminium, wood glass being the most familiar.

Depending on the type of building and the architectural brief, the louvres can be fixed or the more advanced designs can rotate to match the changing orientation of the sun.

Solar shading can be designed as an integral part of the heating and cooling system by integrating into the BMS (Building management system) all of which makes the architectural louvre a critical part of modern commercial architecture.