PRANCE metalwork is a leading manufacturer of metal ceiling and facade systems.
In which architectural projects are glass curtain walls most effective for maximizing natural light?
Glass curtain walls excel at maximizing natural light in projects where daylighting directly improves occupant well-being, energy efficiency, and spatial drama. Typical examples are atrium buildings, airport terminals, exhibition halls, office towers with full-height façades, and cultural institutions (museums, galleries) in cities such as Dubai, Doha, Almaty and Tashkent. In these projects, expansive glazed façades and large unitized curtain wall panels create deep daylight penetration, reduce reliance on artificial lighting, and form strong visual connections to the urban environment.
Designers and clients often worry about glare, overheating, and the need to meet stringent thermal performance targets in hot climates. Effective strategies include specifying high-performance low-E coatings, frit patterns or ceramic dot gradients to control glare, spectrally selective coatings to allow visible light while reducing solar heat gain, and deep external shading where appropriate. For Central Asian projects with cold winters (Bishkek, Dushanbe), double- or triple-glazed units with warm edge spacers and thermally broken frames balance daylight with insulation.
Project teams also use daylight modeling (e.g., climate-based daylight simulation) during design development to optimize glass type, orientation, and shading devices. For owners in the Gulf and Central Asia, highlight successful case studies, energy modeling results, and glazing mockups to address ROI, occupant comfort, and local code compliance — these are the top concerns when choosing curtain walls for daylight-rich architectural programs.