Brise soleil is a form of solar shading designed to diffuse light and act as a design feature. It’s famous for its capacity to save energy, but it has many talents. Let’s take a closer look.
How It Started
The French architect, Le Corbusier, invented brise soleil in the Modernist Thirties to deflect direct sunlight in buildings with glass facades. During the early modernist movement, brise soleil were movable and operated with gears. In the Forties, static, cemented versions became all the rage. Today, you can access three forms of shading: Static, mechanically-operated, and automated.
How Automated Brise Soleil Works
Static brise soleil is designed to diffuse sunlight during the hottest time of day, but motorised louvres take this a step further by tracking the sun’s trajectory automatically. The fins pivot to gather natural light in the mornings and evenings while blocking glare at noon. These automated designs can adapt to the seasons, giving you a balanced microclimate in winter and summer. Static brise soleil is more beneficial in summer.
Design Options
Solutions such as //alusystems.uk/brise-soleil-solar-shading/ include brise soleil in vertical and horizontal alternatives. Horizontal fins are ideal for south-facing buildings, and vertical ones work best in buildings facing east or west. Whatever your choice, you can expect a more energy-efficient home with a predictable micro-climate.
Brise soleil shading is one of the most eco-friendly ways to shrink your carbon footprint. It retains your privacy, collects ambient light, and diffuses direct sunlight. The result? A more comfortable, beautiful building that’s cheaper to run.