Regarding the Sunshade Design of Buildings (Part 1)

Views:79 Author:Site Editor Publish Time:2026-06-16 20:45:30 Orgin:Site

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Today, with the increasing integration of building energy efficiency and aesthetics, horizontal shading components have long transcended the stereotype of "additional functional components" and become a key language for shaping building temperament and regulating spatial experience. It filters direct sunlight with precise cantilever depth and grid density, reducing building energy consumption; It also endows the facade with a sense of rhythm through orderly lines and changes in light and shadow.

Today, through 15 cases that perfectly integrate horizontal shading with the building itself, from Swiss campuses to urban renewal in China, from office towers to hotels, we explore how these components can create a practical and aesthetic architectural facade between "shading" and "composition".

Case Study Appreciation

1.Hortus Office Building, Herzog&de Meuron, Switzerland

The exterior of the office building adopts equidistant horizontal sunshades, forming a virtual and real contrast with the glass curtain wall. It not only filters the strong sunlight in the Alps, but also creates a soft light and shadow gradient on the facade through slight variations in the components. The edges of the sunshade have been finely polished, weakening the industrial feel and giving the building a warm texture in natural light, echoing Switzerland's ultimate pursuit of detail and order in architecture.

2.Steinwies Schwerzenbach Elementary School, Schmid Ziorjen Architektenkolektiv, Switzerland

The horizontal shading design of this elementary school fully considers the activity needs of children. The sunshade installed above the classroom window not only avoids direct sunlight in summer, but also allows low angle sunlight to enter in winter, bringing warm natural light indoors.

3.Toyo University Akabane Campus Phase II Building, Kengo Kuma Architectural Urban Design Firm, Japan

Kengo Kuma's concept of "hidden architecture" integrates horizontal shading with the building facade. The building facade uses horizontal concrete components with stepped platforms, which are not only extensions of the floor slab, but also natural shading panels and metal louvers, forming a dual shading system.

4.Industrialized Social Security Housing, Vivas Arquitectos+EXE Arquitectora, Barcelona

In Barcelona's Mediterranean climate, horizontal shading becomes the core element of residential facades. The standardized design of components reduces construction costs, and through the unified treatment of light gray tones, the affordable housing also presents a clean and modern facade effect, reflecting the balance between functionality and aesthetics.

5.Architectural Vocational Training School, Gunz&Kunzle Architekt, Switzerland

The horizontal shading design of this school balances practicality with the rigorous temperament of educational architecture. The exterior of the teaching building adopts metal horizontal louver sunshades, and the components form strong horizontal lines with the concrete frame of the building, enhancing the sense of order of the building.

6.Jingdezhen Chuanshang (Jingyang Academy) Straight facing Architecture

In this project, the vertical architecture combines horizontal shading with the spatial atmosphere of traditional academies. The exterior of the building adopts metal horizontal grilles as shading components, achieving a collision of classical and modern beauty through exquisite node design.

7.Madrid RIVAS-FUTURA Metro LGV Architects and LANDINEZ+REY Architects [eL2Gaa]

The horizontal shading design of subway stations takes into account both the functionality and iconic features of public buildings. The exterior facade of the building adopts large-span horizontal metal sunshades, and the overhanging components not only provide shade and shelter space for the entrance square, but also form strong horizontal lines, strengthening the guidance of the building.

8.Meitu Cube Visual Arts Center under construction, Xiamen OPEN

In OPEN's project, horizontal shading is transformed into a carrier of artistic expression. The exterior of the building adopts horizontal sunshade components that can be opened and closed, echoing the creative attributes of the art center. The components are made of perforated metal plates, which not only ensure shading effect, but also create rich light and shadow changes through the gaps, giving the building a dynamic artistic temperament.

9.The Ascott Pazhou Hotel, Guangzhou

The project adopts a horizontal metal louver sunshade system, installed on the outside of the guest room window, which combines the functions of sunshade and blocking the opening fan.

10.Shanghai Relay Factory renovates HCCH dusty building

In industrial heritage renovation projects, horizontal shading has become a medium for dialogue between old and new. The project retains the concrete frame structure of the original factory building, and the newly added horizontal metal sunshades use simple lines to contrast with the rough concrete of the old building. The components are installed above the exterior windows of the renovated office space, filtering out the strong summer sunlight in Shanghai and injecting a modern atmosphere into the old factory building through the reflection of metal materials.

11.Shanghai International Studies University Affiliated School of Foreign Languages Campus Renewal, with 300 acres of buildings

In the campus renewal project, horizontal shading takes into account both the functional requirements of educational buildings and the campus atmosphere. The newly added wooden horizontal sunshades on the exterior of the teaching building form an orderly facade rhythm, and are accompanied by bright colors, adding a warm learning atmosphere to the campus.

12.Shanghai Xuhui Riverside West Bank Office Building Renovation Dust Collection Building

In the renovation of old office buildings, horizontal shading has become the key to improving facade quality. The project adopts prefabricated concrete horizontal sunshades, installed above the exterior windows of the renovated office space. The deep gray color tone of the components blends with the concrete facade of the old building, and the repeated arrangement of horizontal lines gives the renovated office building a simple and professional temperament in the urban interface on the west bank.

13.Shenzhen (Baozhong Group) Haitian School Shenzhen Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd

The exterior of the teaching building adopts large-span horizontal metal sunshades, which not only provide sufficient shade for the classrooms, but also form strong horizontal lines, enhancing the sense of order in the building.

14.Xishan Zhigu North Courtyard, Beijing CAA Architectural Firm

In the temperate climate of Beijing, horizontal shading combines summer shading with winter lighting. The silver gray color tone of the components echoes the glass curtain wall of the building, presenting a simple and modern temperament in the natural environment of Xishan.

15.Daibiru Building in Midosuji, designed by Nippon Paint in Japan

The sunshade fins have delicate color tones with mottled variations, which complement the ginkgo trees on both sides of the Midosuji and add color to the street view. The surface of the sunshade can reflect some sunlight, reducing the heat absorption of the building. At the same time, the edges of the components are designed with subtle curves, weakening the industrial feel and giving the building a refined and modern temperament in the bustling streets.

From these cases, we can see that horizontal shading components are no longer simply "light blocking tools", but rather core elements in architectural design that combine functionality and aesthetics. It responds to the climate demands of different regions with accurate calculations and reduces building energy consumption; Through various forms, materials, and arrangements, it has shaped the facade temperament of buildings and even become a carrier for conveying architectural concepts.

Whether it is the ultimate pursuit of order and detail in Swiss architecture, or the delicate expression of light, shadow, and artistic conception in Eastern architecture; Whether it is the dialogue between old and new in industrial heritage renovation or the iconic shaping of urban public buildings, horizontal shading components are weaving their own way of dialogue between architecture and sunlight, environment, and people. When sunlight shines through the components and enters the room, it not only creates a comfortable lighting environment, but also the most touching interaction between the building and nature.