Horizon Shade 遮阳系统 by Kris Lin is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 金奖 in 建筑与结构设计 Competition Category.

金建筑· 2026

Horizon Shade 遮阳系统

by Kris Lin

Client: Kris Lin International Design

A' Design Award 金奖 Winner in 建筑 Category

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The Design

About Horizon Shade 遮阳系统

Horizon Shade是一款专为大型建筑立面设计的电动遮阳系统。该系统采用无缝单幅面料,跨度可达20米,适用于别墅露台及商业空间开口。精密挤压铝型材、高强度卷管以及拉链式导轨侧轨共同抵抗弯曲变形,使面料在整个跨度范围内保持平整稳定。自动平衡机构可调节张力,防止面料扭曲变形。操作方式可通过遥控器、墙面开关或智能家居系统实现。遮阳在此被视为建筑立面的延伸。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 金奖

Horizon Shade 遮阳系统是 A' Design Award 金奖得主，这是授予一流、绝妙而杰出设计的极为崇高的认可。金奖得主是极具创新、极富远见且璀璨夺目的创作，反映出其设计师的天才、智慧与才干。预计Horizon Shade 遮阳系统将成为一项备受赞誉、引领潮流、气势恢宏的发明，带来前所未有的价值。这件赢得 A' Design Award 金奖的设计是一个壮观而受人敬重的项目，极大地造福并拓展艺术、科学、设计和技术的边界。Horizon Shade 遮阳系统激起强烈的渴望，唤起激情，鼓励创造力，令我们着迷。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Architectural Scale Shading Innovation,
A motorized shading system for large façades, featuring a seamless 20 m single panel.
Integrating ultra scale, full blackout, and intelligent control, it transforms shading from a product into an architectural system unifying light and spatial experience.

Engineering Meets Architecture
Self balancing, anti bending, modular, and guided resolving deformation across spans.
A structural interface linking façade, daylight, and outdoor space.
Dimensions & Packaging: Designed for Large Scale Opening, Designed for large scale architectural openings, the system achieves a seamless span of up to 20,000 mm, meeting the shading demands of villas, terraces, and commercial facades.

High Performance System Configuration,
The system offers aluminum cassette options of 100 mm, 120 mm, and 140 mm, paired with 70mm or 85 mm reinforced coil tubes. Side guide rails measure approximately 57 mm in width andincorporate zipper guided stabilization. Optional LED lighting modules can be integrated. Thesystem ensures strong wind resistance and stable mechanical performance.
Tags: Sunshade curtains, 20-meter single curtain, intelligent electric curtains, wind and rain sensing system
Production Technology: Precision Engineered Structure,
The system is constructed using precision-extruded aluminum profiles and high strength coil tubes, ensuring excellent resistance to bending and structural stability even at large spans, meeting architectural grade performance requirements.
Patented System Integration,
Core innovations include an automatic balancing system, combined rail down structure, zipper guide track, and hidden anti wrinkle shading mechanism. Outdoor grade fabrics with Grade 8 colorfastness are combined with modular aluminum cassette systems to enable efficient production, stable installation, and long term durability.
Design Challenge: Engineering a 20 Meter, 600 kg System
The primary challenge was achieving structural stability and smooth operation at a 20 meter span,where the system weight reaches approximately 60o kg. At this scale, deformation, uneven tension,and instability become critical risks.
The substantial weight also created significant installation challenges, requiring 5-6 workers tocoordinate precise alignment and assembly on-site, increasing both labor intensity and construction complexity.
Balancing Performance, Installation, and Design
To address these constraints, the design integrates a self-balancing system, reinforced roller tubes,and zipper-guided tracks to ensure structural reliability.
At the same time, a modular and integrated system logic was developed to improve installation efficiency and precision. The project ultimately achieves a balance between engineering performance, construction feasibility, and architectural expression.
Research: Researching Ultra-Wide Shading Systems
This research focuses on addressing structural stability challenges in architectural-scale shading systems under large spans. The objective was to develop a system capable of stable operation.
across a 20-meter span.
From Testing to Architectural Application
Through structural analysis, prototyping, and mechanical testing, the performance of aluminum profiles, coil tubes, and guide systems was systematically evaluated. Results demonstrate strong wind resistance, structural stability, and smooth operation, offering a reliable and scalable shading solution for contemporary architecture.
Inspiration: Designed for a 20 Meter Span,

Addressing instability and deformation at 20 meter scales, the system is conceived as an extension of the architectural facade.It transforms shading into a seamless architectural system, combining structural stability with minimal expression.

From Passive Curtain to Responsive System

Adapts to environmental changes, transforming shading into an active, energy-efficient system.
Project Duration: This project will commence in Shanghai, China in January 2025 and will be completed in Shanghai, China in August 2025.
Operation Flow: Effortless Smart Control
The system operates via a motorized mechanism and can be controlled through remote control, wall switches, or smart home systems, allowing users to easily adjust shading conditions.
Stable Movement Across 20 Meters
The fabric moves smoothly along the guide rails, with the zipper guided system ensuring stability across the full 20 meter span. The automatic balancing system continuously regulates tension, preventing distortion and ensuring precise and smooth operation, enabling flexible transitions between light and shade.
Patents: Kris Lin International design
Image Credits: Kris Lin International design