It’s no secret that solar heat gain can have a significant detrimental impact on a building’s energy efficiency. The good news is there are several architectural systems available to combat the problem.

One effective method is to incorporate sunshades into the building facade. Sunshades can effectively mitigate the amount of solar radiation that penetrates through glass, especially during peak times. This reduces dependence on air conditioning systems, thus lowering energy consumption and creating comfortable environments for building occupants. Sunshades also have the ability to enhance aesthetics by adding visual depth.

A great example of sunshade integration is at the MEC Headquarters located in Vancouver, Canada. Designed by Proscenium Architecture, MEC Headquarters features a triple-glazed curtain wall, thermally broken windows and doors, and a custom sunshade system that lines a large scope of the facade. Systems were provided by C.R. Laurence. The result is a building that has achieved LEED Platinum certification and is 70 percent more energy efficient than a typical office building.

As the industry moves increasingly towards Net Zero buildings, incorporating architectural systems that can mitigate solar heat gain will become more critical. All the more reason sunshades should not be overlooked when designing for optimal energy efficiency.