Go ahead and say it out loud: brise-soleil(bree so-LAY). Sounds nice, does not it? Maybe you just received a modest impressed head nod from the coworker or some curious look from you cat. It rolls off the tongue and translates from the French as “sun block” Commonly defined as a permanent architectural element, it has the double benefit of mitigating the harsh sunlight and warmth whilst concurrently providing visual interest to some facade.

Major credit for all these sun-blocking constructions extends to architect Le Corbusier, together with his use of outside grid-like concrete fittings in the 1950s to keep the interiors of buildings cooler in warm climates, such as with his Chandigarh project in India.

Nowadays we see contemporary versions of those sunshades (usually lighter and often rendered in thin metal or wood slats) on homes throughout many areas.

Steve Domoney Architecture

Think about a brise-soleil as dividers on the outside of a House. It does the exact same heavy lifting of blocking out unwanted heat gain as inside blinds or drapes. Yet since the place is on the outside, it blocks the warmth from the sun’s rays before they hit the glass and then enter the inside area, keeping your home cooler.

Nick Noyes Architecture

Have a look at the shadows from the structure over the doors and window onto the side of the home, visual evidence that displays can block out intense sunlight.

To maximize the effectiveness of fixed louvers, pair up with a local architect to assess the specific location of your dwelling, including the climate zone and latitude where the project sits.

Architect AIBC, Randy Bens

Horizontal fixtures work well on southern facades, while vertical fixtures mitigate sunlight more effectively on east and west facades — because of the sun’s angle in the sky throughout the day.

The screen can also be an independent statement, as revealed here, standing proud of their glass windows. The facade can be blended in by it.

Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects

Simply take the sunscreen’s material . Here material and the color of the slats match the rest of the architecture.

At night the screen adds privacy to an otherwise full-height glass wall.

Chioco Design

The brise-soleil in front of the window is integrated with the general facade, as it’s all constructed of the same material. In this case the entire wood screen is slightly detached from the present home and strengthens the original form.

KUBE architecture

When a screen is significantly detached from the architecture, it defines a semiprivate exterior room adjacent to the home. The number of slats decreases with the structure’s height here, providing another layer of interest.

The Brick House

This brise-soleil defines a very simple exterior space that is located between the domain of sunlight and shadows.

aamodt / plumb architects

The attractiveness of sunlight is the fact that it is dynamic — always moving and changing our surroundings. A sunscreen can act as a permanent piece of artwork that exerts and exerts this movement. An elaborate custom made metallic screen like this creates altering patterns since the afternoon progresses.

Mills Gorman Architects

These playful shadows offer a calm environment and a unique veil of privacy on the inside.

Sagatov Design-Build

A very simple wood slat mounted to the exterior creates a sophisticated interior here, while always working to cut out solar heat gain before it hits the glass.

Hufft Projects

These displays are on paths, producing interactive architectural items that conceal or show the glass facade, depending on the homeowner’s taste.

Contemplate these many variants of this contemporary brise-soleilthe next time you want to protect your home from solar heat gain or gain privacy.

Tell us are you prepared to live at the zone of filtered darkness and light?

More: See Light Play in 14 Homes From Paris to Texas

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