Lording it over sheet metal fabricator Christian Pohl’s generous stand at BAU this year was a working sample of its ‘Skylabs’ integrated facade and sunblind, installed at the ‘Bahnstadt’ business park in Heidelberg. Looking initially like a solid white facade of perforated aluminium, actuators can fold up this outer cladding to reveal the clear glass behind. Even when closed, the 2mm thick facade admits adequate internal light while preventing solar gain. When open, the folded geometry completely alters the look of the building, mediates direct sunlight inlet and gives striking shadows and contours.