The iconic main building of the Frans Masereel Center was designed and constructed in the late 1960s. During the summer months, overheating of the rooms on the first floor of the main building is a problem, particularly for the rooms on the south side, which become virtually unusable on the hottest days. A preliminary study was conducted to identify the possibilities for addressing this issue using passive techniques. Various scenarios were proposed, and for each scenario, the feasibility, expected effect, and cost had to be assessed.

Using a dynamic analysis, eight different improvement scenarios were evaluated to determine which would provide the best comfort; in addition to thermal comfort, daylight and the impact on heat demand were also taken into account to provide a comprehensive picture (energy consumption, thermal comfort, and visual comfort). A Total Cost of Ownership was also calculated for each scenario to identify the most economical solution.

Various concepts were proposed (canopies, louvered shades, glass modifications, natural ventilation via motorized windows, etc.), resulting in a range of solutions, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. A canopy, optimized for daylight and solar heat, emerged as the most optimal solution.

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