The building opening is the key to the energy system transformation

Window construction and sun shading systems become essential climate savers / R+T 2027 shows networked solutions for all trades

Increasing temperatures and the new EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) are contributing to radical changes in building requirements. Apart from the reduction of the heating energy requirement, the focus is increasingly on summer heat protection. The intelligent interaction of windows, external sun shading systems and building automation is decisive here. R+T, the world’s leading trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun shading systems, which takes place from 15 to 19 February 2027 in Stuttgart, shows how these components can be combined to create energy-efficient and climate-resilient complete systems.

Ladder of Cooling sets new priorities

For a long time the focus of building e

nergy policy was on the reduction of heat losses. However, with increasing hot spells the focus is on protection against summer overheating. Highly insulated buildings need effective strategies to limit the heat input and reduce the cooling energy requirement.

The Ladder of Cooling created by the European Solar Shading Organisation (ES-SO) provides guidance. It describes a clear sequence: First of all, passive measures such as trees, green infrastructure, shaded outdoor spaces and external sun shading systems should prevent heat input. Then comes natural ventilation concepts such as automated night purging. Active cooling systems are only used when this potential is exhausted.

“With the Ladder of Cooling we want to give policy makers, planning companies and the construction industry a practical instrument that establishes summer heat protection as an integral part of sustainable buildings. The fact that the ES-SO has been a promotional and conceptual supporter of R+T since 2026 adds weight to our claim to promote these topics across Europe and further strengthen the exchange between industry, academia and politics”, highlights ES-SO President Anders Hall.

Building opening as intelligent complete system

Effective summer heat protection is not the result of individual products, but the interaction of all components at the building opening. Windows control daylight, ventilation and solar heat gains. However, they only develop their full potential when combined with external sun shading systems and intelligent control.

Shaded outdoor spaces prevent solar energy penetrating the building through the glazing. Dynamic systems respond to the weather and season: They reduce the heat input and cooling requirement during the summer and use solar heat gains in a targeted manner in the winter, thus saving heat energy. Therefore, careful consideration should already be given to windows and sun shading systems in the planning phase.

The industry initiative “Level Up – Windows for Future Thinkers” launched by Somfy is also pursuing these system concepts. It promotes planning windows, sun shading systems, as well as motorisation and automation technology, as an integrated complete system. This increases energy efficiency, living comfort and cost-effectiveness equally and opens up additional opportunities for specialist companies in consulting and project development.

Networked systems dominate the industry

The requirements of energy efficiency, climate adaptation and user comfort are radically changing construction and building technology. Manufacturers are increasingly developing their solutions as coordinated systems, which cleverly combine windows, sun shading systems, drive technology, automation and facade solutions. This brings the focus onto the entire building opening as a functional unit.

Building automation plays a key role here. Smart home technologies network windows, roller shutters, Venetian blinds, textile screens, as well as ventilation and control systems, into an intelligent complete system. Sensors detect solar radiation, wind, outdoor temperature and indoor climate, complemented by weather forecasts. Based on this the building responds automatically and prevents overheating or undercooling before it actually happens.

This development opens up new market opportunities for window manufacturers, sun shading system companies, planning companies and the electrical trade. Building owners, developers and investors are increasingly expecting integrated solutions in place of individual products. Anyone who expands their consulting services with sun shading systems, automation and smart home technologies creates additional added value, increases customer loyalty and reduces interfaces as well as installation errors through early planning across all trades. Funding programmes for external sun shading systems within the framework of energy efficiency upgrading provide further impetus.

R+T 2027 also addresses this transformation. Together with its promotional, professional and conceptual supporters, exhibiting companies, as well as partners of the comprehensive accompanying programme, it shows how networked solutions are developed for energy-efficient and climate-resilient buildings. The focus is on intelligent drive technology, adaptive sun shading systems, automated control systems, as well as integrated window and facade concepts. The efficiency of individual components is not decisive here, but their smooth interplay.

“The future of the building’s envelope lies not in individual products, but in the intelligent interaction of all trades. Only when window manufacturers, sun shading systems, automation, facade technology and planning work together early on can solutions be created that meet the increasing requirements of energy efficiency, climate adaptation and living comfort”, says Sandra Musculus, Chairperson of the IVRSA and President of the ITRS. R+T 2027 makes this holistic approach come alive and offers the industry a unique platform for innovation, knowledge transfer and personal exchange.

Images:

RT_27_p_022.jpg: The Ladder of Cooling created by the European Solar Shading Organisation (ES-SO) provides guidance. | Copyright: European Solar Shading Organisation Positionspapier „Integrating the ‘Ladder of Cooling’ into EU building energy policy to deliver summer thermal comfort and prevent overheating”

RT_27_p_023.jpeg: Anders Hall, President of the European Solar Shading Organisation: “With the Ladder of Cooling we want to give policy makers, planning companies and the construction industry a practical instrument that establishes summer heat protection as an integral part of sustainable buildings.” | Copyright: European Solar Shading Organisation

RT_27_p_021.jpg: Sandra Musculus, Chairperson of the IVRSA and President of the ITRS: “The future of the building’s envelope lies not in individual products, but in the intelligent interaction of all trades.” | Copyright: ITRS e.V.

RT_27_p_019.jpg: Dynamic systems respond to the weather and season: They reduce the heat input and cooling requirement during the summer and use solar heat gains in a targeted manner in the winter, thus saving heat energy. Therefore, careful consideration should already be given to windows and sun shading systems in the planning phase. | Copyright: Somfy

RuT_24_Halle5_059.jpg: Smart home technologies network windows, roller shutters, Venetian blinds, textile screens, as well as ventilation and control systems, into an intelligent complete system. Based on this the building responds automatically and prevents overheating or undercooling before it actually happens. | Copyright: Frank Eppler / Messe Stuttgart