Shading system in glass facade architecture

Abstract: Glass facades building, especially offices, always need shading devices to guarantee occupant's well-being and comfort. However, shading devices are often composed of shutters or fabric tents which creates dark interiors and do not allow access to view out. Moreover, they ruin the aesthetical appearance of glass facades. The study aims to research and propose an alternative shading system for glass facades building which can prevent from glare in the interior spaces as well as respecting the continuity of a glass facade from an exterior point of view. Research upon materials that can be integrated into glass has been carried and Ceramic ink digital printing has been found as the right technique to ensure both a functional and aesthetical value. The material today has been used mainly for decorative functions. The patterns and the colors of the shading device proposed with ceramic and digital ink printing have been tested in Deloitte Building in Copenhagen with both 3D digital models and an online survey investigating comfort preferences.