Shading Device
Definition
An architectural element — overhang, fin, louvre, or perforated screen — that intercepts direct solar radiation before it reaches the facade or glazing behind it. In the Indonesian tropics, shading devices are critical to controlling heat gain and glare. The required projection depth depends on the solar angle at the relevant latitude, facade orientation, and time of day; south-facing and north-facing facades require different geometries than east- or west-facing ones.
Example
The University of Indonesia Library in Depok (2011) features a continuous deep canopy around its entire perimeter that shades all facades from direct solar radiation while admitting diffuse skylight — a strategy that reduces the building's mechanical cooling load significantly in Jakarta's humid tropical climate.