German firm Behnisch Architekten recently completed three projects in the US and Europe featuring a new external fixed sunshade system, all based on the same principle but using different materials, dimensions and geometry. The façade system not only shields interiors from solar heat gain during warmer months, but also lets in beneficial sun during the winter, significantly shrinking cooling and heating loads. At the same time, the screen bounces daylight deep into the interior, while maintaining large apertures with views to the outside. It’s unconventional to use a complex façade grid to both protect a building against solar impact while improving natural daylight into the interiors through the redirection of cooler, stray light in summer. Michelle Lee, architect at Behnisch Architekten, explains.