Direct sun exposure has been a recurring problem for architects for millennia, searching for a way to find the balance between using natural light and heat to their advantage without suffering their potential drawbacks.
If architects were to completely block sunlight, it would make for a dark, gloomy environment that wouldn’t be ideal for working in. Conversely, constant exposure to direct sunlight makes way for heat and glare, which would tire and irritate workers in equal measure while decreasing productivity.

Brise soleil in the modern day

With the majority of environmental scientists agreeing that temperatures will become warmer in the future, the need for affordable, convenient ways to control and lessen the consequences of direct sun exposure will increase dramatically.

Due to this, property owners and architects alike are returning to the tried and trusted method of brise soleil, which is also called solar shading. They are using modern updates to enhance the benefits, making use of technology and knowledge to unite the past and present to create a better future.

Further details on the uses of brise soleil in the modern day can be found here.. Brise soleil systems are manufactured and installed by companies such as Alu Systems.

Ancient uses

Ancient builders knew the importance of finding a balance when it came to sun exposure. Brise soleil has been used by architects to control sunlight exposure for millennia; in fact, its use can be traced back to ancient civilizations in Rome and Greece.

The Romans and Greeks used large portable cloth awnings in their colosseums to prevent people from getting fatigued or sunburnt, whereas the Japanese created screens and blinds, known as sudare, out of wood or bamboo to control light, heat, and visibility. This technique is still used in modern-day Japan.