Employees at Netceed’s new offices in Breda (NL) are already benefiting from a bright, open workspace defined by extensive glazing. With large south-west-facing curtain walls, however, effective solar control was essential to prevent overheating while maintaining the architectural intent.
A total of 64 screens (each approx. 1800 x 3500 mm) were integrated into the façade, engineered and installed by Renson Ambassador Jaleco-Havaro in collaboration with main contractor Molenschot Industriebouw. The project team selected Fixscreen Minimal CW50, a system specifically developed for curtain wall integration.
Integration without compromise
“The brief was clear: sun protection without visual compromise,” explains Dario Claassen, Project Manager at Molenschot Industriebouw. “Alternative surface-mounted systems didn’t offer the same level of integration. Despite the higher investment, this solution delivered the cleanest possible result.”
That integration proved decisive. Designed in partnership with Reynaers Aluminium, the Fixscreen Minimal CW50 allows the fabric box, guides and façade system to align precisely. Where possible, screens were fully concealed—most notably in the top row, where headboxes are hidden within the overhang construction. Elsewhere, colour-matched components blend discreetly with the façade, ensuring visual continuity across the elevation.
Close coordination between contractor, installer and supplier proved essential. Early allowances in the façade design allowed the system to be integrated seamlessly later in the process, even as detailing such as the overhang was refined during construction.
Performance meets architectural clarity
“For curtain wall applications, there’s simply no comparable alternative,” says Stefan Bakker of Jaleco-Havaro. “When retracted, the screens are virtually invisible, preserving the architect’s vision. At the same time, they provide robust performance, including wind resistance up to 130 km/h.”
Performance was as critical as aesthetics. External shading prevents heat gain before it enters the building envelope, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling and improving user comfort. Dark screen fabrics were selected to optimise solar control, while all cabling was concealed to maintain a clean interior and uninterrupted sightlines.
Installation efficiency was supported by the modular system and the installer’s prior experience. “Despite the scale and height of the façade, installation was straightforward,” Bakker notes. “The system builds directly onto the curtain wall, which simplifies integration even when introduced during construction.”
A future-proof façade solution
For Claassen, the outcome confirms the value of specifying high-performance façade-integrated shading: “It’s a refined, future-proof solution. On projects with large glass façades, this approach allows you to maintain architectural clarity without compromising on comfort or durability. It’s a system we now confidently recommend.”
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