By Caroline Kruit, International Business Developer for Metadecor

The literal translation of brise soleil – sunbreaker – already says a great deal. But what distinguishes a brise soleil from a drop-arm awning or a horizontal louvre system? A brise soleil is typically part of the architecture itself – an integral component of a building’s overall design concept. Architect Le Corbusier designed massive concrete overhangs to block the high summer sun (without obstructing the low winter sun), embedding the brise soleil into the narrative of his architecture. In 2025, there are more reasons than ever to integrate this form of passive solar shading into our buildings. So here it is: a case for architectural sunbreakers.

Passive Solar Shading

Passive shading – whether static or dynamic – scores highly under BREEAM and LEED assessment frameworks. It has a significant impact on a building’s energy performance: reducing the need for cooling, and improving daylighting, which lowers reliance on artificial lighting. Direct sunlight can be uncomfortable – a well-designed sunbreaker prevents glare and excessive brightness.

A Constant Factor in Design

Like gravity, the sun is a constant consideration in architectural design. While in Northern and Central Europe it may occasionally retreat behind heavy cloud cover, there are plenty of days – even weeks – where solar exposure dominates interior comfort. Yet passive solar shading is rarely mandated by building codes. This is despite the widely acknowledged rise in overheating issues in the built environment.

Historically Embedded

History shows that ancient architects and builders understood the effects of heat and glare – even if they didn’t use terms like “thermal stress” or cite energy efficiency as motivation. Their responses included deep reveals and arcades on sun-exposed façades, perforated screens (such as mashrabiyas in the Middle East and ceramic screens in parts of Asia), and extensive overhangs. These shading solutions were fully integrated into the architectural fabric, often supplemented with temporary elements like fabric screens or awnings in both horizontal and vertical applications.

Project DV&O in Zaandam is a good example of a selfshading building, with different shading elements as an integral part of the façade (and building volume): vertical MD Lamel in the façades, a significant overhang clad with MD Flack. Architects: Studio Prototype and ArchiTech Company. Photos: Jeroen Musch.

Solar Shading as Architectural Statement

Le Corbusier's pronounced roof overhangs were his take on brise soleil – blocking the intense summer sun while admitting low-angle winter light. Jean Nouvel took it further in 1987 with the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, where sensor-controlled diaphragms across the façade open and close – clicking and zooming -  in response to sunlight. Norman Foster has spoken of self-shading buildings in his recent work: façades carefully composed so that direct sunlight is blocked by fixed architectural elements such as vertical fins or deep recesses. Crucially, these are not add-ons. Shading is designed into the building from the outset – part of its architectural DNA.

An Essential Design Consideration

Contemporary architects have access to a far wider range of materials and technologies for passive solar control than their predecessors. But with today’s complex regulations, climate imperatives, budgets, and certification demands, it’s understandable that solar shading isn’t always prioritized. Still, the sun is ever-present – and increasingly so. We can’t afford to ignore it.

Future-Proof with Brise Soleil

To make buildings future-ready – whether new builds or refurbishments – we need to give the sun a literal place in the plan. Our advice: make sunbreakers part of the architectural concept from the very start. Yes, we’ve delivered successful retrofit solutions, adding shading elements to existing façades. But, if we’re honest, it’s the integrated shading façades that truly excite us – they offer the greatest benefits not just in terms of energy performance, but also architectural impact and contextual response. And working on retrofit, that would be our advice too (except for listed buildings perhaps): to give the full façade a makeover, incorporating shadowing elements in the concept.

Exemplary Projects: Integrated Solar Shading

One standout example of integrated shading solutions is Theater Zuidplein, where a generous cantilever and a perforated screen using MD Designperforation define the building’s appearance and contribute to its energy efficiency and usability. Remarkably, the entire perforated pattern was produced using a single punch mould, and the curved panels were shaped on site by mounting flat aluminium sheets to pre-curved profiles. The architectural design by De Zwarte Hond is visually striking but technically straightforward in execution.

Theater Zuidplein features both a prominent cantilever and a façade infill of uniquely perforated MD Design panels, integrating shading on multiple levels. Architect: De Zwarte Hond. Photos: Daria Scagliola.

Louvres Like Lashes

Another case is Het Zandkasteel in The Hague – a school building where three-dimensional aluminium shading “lashes” (MD Shapes with perforation) prevent direct sunlight from hitting blackboards, maintaining visibility and comfort. Spring Architecten led the design and brought in ArchiTech Company to develop the shading elements. Their solution was based on extensive solar simulations – videos of which can be viewed on the ArchiTech Company website (Multipurpose school – The Hague).

At Het Zandkasteel in The Hague, bespoke three-dimensional aluminium “lashes” (MD Shapes with MD Designperforation) shade classrooms from direct sunlight. Architects: bct architecten in collaboration with ArchiTech Company. Visuals courtesy of the architects.

A Parametric, Semi-Transparent Façade

In another collaboration with ArchiTech Company, the Wolderhuus in Zuidwolde features a unifying façade designed by bct architecten. A timber louvre skin wraps both the existing structure and a new extension. Engineers at Metadecor translated the wireframe model into an aluminium substructure, supporting timber panels. By varying louvre sizes and spacing according to orientation, they achieved the right balance of transparency – allowing ample daylight in while blocking excessive heat.

Responsive When Necessary

As the overview illustrates, a brise soleil need not be a fixed element. Moveable panels are an option – shading the interior only when required. Projects such as Tussen de Lakens in Amsterdam (by Abbink X Co with an MD Formatura pattern by Chris Kabel) and Old Town Court in Prague (featuring MD Designperforation by Bofill Taller de Arquitectura) showcase large, moveable screens that follow the façade pattern. Even when closed, these allow outward views. Operation options range from manual control to full integration with building automation systems using motors and sensors.

Living Architecture

Metadecor’s collaboration with the startup Airshade Technologies introduces another alternative for responsive shading. Airshade systems respond to solar heat passively – without sensors or motors – using heated air within sealed containers to trigger movement. The SOMBRA Pavilion showcases this technology: its MD Formatura panels automatically close after several hours of direct sun and reopen during the night. There’s no on/off switch – though an override can be installed if safety requires it – only that great shining orb in the sky.

Working Together Toward New Solutions

As attention to energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and healthy buildings increases, passive shading – whether fixed or dynamic – can offer tremendous value. In many current Metadecor projects, passive shading is a key component in the design and engineering process. We challenge architects to explore new integrated approaches, pushing the boundaries of ventilated façades. This is most effective when we collaborate early in the design phase. Together, we can create façades that make an impact – in partnership with each other and the sun.