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The benefits of dynamic shading and daylight management have become readily apparent in recent years, with many businesses, homebuyers and renters, actively seeking out smart technology when considering new properties. Not only can daylight management enhance occupant well-being and productivity, it can also make buildings more energy-efficient and lower their carbon footprint. We’ll review these benefits in a little more detail soon, but before property developers and architects can even think about taking advantage of dynamic solar shading technology, they need to incorporate it early in their planning and design process.

Maximising the benefits of shading solutions by thinking about them early in the design stage

Property developers often miss the boat when it comes to taking full advantage of solar shading technology. Not through a lack of awareness of the cost-saving benefits or the value the technology can add, but because they fail to consider it at the right time. Shading and blinds can often be seen as part of the interior design or fit-out process and are therefore quite often not considered in the early stages of building design and development. However, modern dynamic shading technology, when leveraged in the right way, is a crucial component in our move toward so-called ‘smart buildings’ and their associated benefits relating to connectivity, sustainability, well-being and productivity.

Shading solutions should therefore be thought of as a core component of a new development rather than the later elements such as furniture or the decor, for example. Shading solutions can contribute to a smart building strategy when they are able to communicate with other building systems such as HVAC or lighting, so considering them early will present developers, designers and architects with more options when it comes to how shading solutions can be leveraged. They will also need to be considered alongside elements such as the choice of glass and façade, to ensure compatibility and that they are optimised to deliver the best possible result. Last but not least, thinking about shading solutions early can help developers achieve building accreditations relating to targets like energy conservation, making them a valuable addition to any building project - but only if they’re considered early in the design process. Engineering automated shading solutions into an already completed new build is by no means impossible, but in order to achieve seamless integration and derive the same level of value, early planning is always the best option.

The 3 top benefits of dynamic shading solutions

The benefits of dynamic shading solutions tend to fall into one of three categories: well-being and productivity, sustainability and energy efficiency. Let’s take a look at how dynamic solar shading contributes to each of these in a little more detail.

Comfort, well-being and productivity - We all know how important light, ventilation and humidity are when it comes to staying comfortable and productive. It’s one of the reasons property developers invest heavily in air conditioning and heating systems. New architectural designs and renovations are constantly surfacing to embrace natural light and optimise our exposure to it by using lots of glass or by other means, in spaces from open-plan offices and classrooms to purpose-built hospital wards. But however appealing these designs are, they’re predominantly static. What if we could intelligently control a building’s (and its occupants) exposure to natural light, harnessing it in a way that takes advantage of the benefits without the often-uncomfortable or damaging inconveniences? An automated, intelligently controlled solar shading system does just that, optimising the amount of light that we allow into our buildings minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour. 

Sustainability and the environment - By harnessing natural light with dynamic solar shading, building owners can leverage the light and power of the sun to their advantage. Controlling the indoor environment of our buildings through automated shading technology contributes significantly to lowering a building’s total energy consumption, reducing dependence on things like air conditioning and artificial lighting. So it can also reduce the carbon footprint and even help achieve new, in-demand certifications such as WELL.

Connectivity - We live in an age of convenience and connectivity. Smart homes have become an attractive proposition for first-time buyers and renters and similarly, businesses looking for commercial premises see Smart Buildings and their benefits as a plus. As well as the environmental and well-being gains referenced above, connected shading solutions offer a level of convenience and control over an increasingly important aspect of building occupancy. As we continue our march toward smart, connected living with the likes of smart security and heating systems, buildings that embrace shading solutions from the design stage are going to be more than ready for whatever level of integration comes next.

How Somfy can help with the design journey

By partnering with Somfy early in the design stage, we can use our expert knowledge to ensure the right solution for a particular project is correctly specified from the outset. If you’re a building developer, the last thing you need is disruption further down the line as you suddenly realise adaptations are needed to accommodate your customers’ preferred type of solar shading technology.

To prevent this scenario, some of the questions we might ask at the early stages can help with timely planning – these include:

• What is the orientation of the building facades? For example, if you are in an urban setting, will shadows be cast onto your building from nearby structures or natural surroundings?
• Will your shading need a stand-alone control system or is integration with a planned or existing BMS needed?
• Will the building continue to be developed in the future?
• Is the building to be occupied by one company or by several different tenants?
• What specific objectives is the building design looking to achieve? – energy saving, security, well-being improvement?
• Is there a requirement for the control of the shading by individual occupants? This could depend on the building use – for example in a care home setting, you may want residents to have personal control
• Is remote access a benefit for future maintenance and monitoring?

Having Somfy in your corner will mean you’re fully prepared for everything that dynamic solar shading has to offer, regardless of the scale of your building project. We offer a full consultancy service, including drawings, wiring plans and even interactive simulation tools, helping you to harness the many benefits of daylight management and dynamic shading from the very beginning of the building design process.

To learn more dynamic shading solutions, their benefits, and how we can help you incorporate them into your new building project, get in touch with the Somfy team today.

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