An advanced technology used successfully in other parts of the world is something we call the "Climate Façade". The Climate Façade is typically a curtain wall with two layers of glazing separated by a large (12 inches or more width) air space. Automatic sun shades can be installed in the air space to block solar heat gain during warm conditions. The sun shades can be opened to allow light to enter the space during winter, and at times of indirect sunlight. This system allows the curtain wall to have the thermal efficiency of highly reflective insulating glass, yet allow natural lighting into the space in a manner similar to clear glass. The Climate Façade can be integrated with the building HVAC systems to allow wintertime heat recovery from the sun shades and/or direct venting from the air space during times of high cooling load.
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