Solar shadings in contemporary New Zealand architecture: state of the art and future perspectives

Abstract

With a large portion of buildings clad with translucent surfaces, solar shading is becoming increasingly important. Internationally, a great deal of research has been dedicated to this topic. In the face of climate change, New Zealand, like other countries in the world, is paying attention to this topic, which, however, is often considered a secondary aspect of the design process. This is reflected in the design of some buildings, especially residential developments, where there is a lack of consideration of optimal orientation. This research aims to extend our knowledge of state-of-the-art solar shadings in contemporary New Zealand architecture in order to determine what possible future improvements might be. In total, 339 products and 215 façades built between 2005 and 2021 were studied to achieve this objective. Results showed need for more training on solar shading design, a focus on better passive design and improved dynamic control.