Thermal design

Strong morning sunshine. How many days more will it be like this? This rainy season ended too early.

My client's office finally decided to loosen up the energy saving policy. They used to preset the air conditioner at 28 C, but under the new rule, they can turn the preset temperature down until a highest temperature in the office drops under 28 C. Thanks to the change, it was much better yesterday than before.
The building that houses the office is new. With huge windows (perhaps 3m high and as wide as walls continue) covering the whole walls, the office rooms are flooded with sunshine and command a splendid view of Tama river and Tokyo. It looks very sleek and modern but energy wasting as much.
The window panes are double. That helps prevent heat from escaping in winter. So far so good. But even with the double glazed glass, in summer the sunshine carries heat directly and freely into rooms. There are blinds to screen the direct irradiation from the sun. But since they are mounted inside the rooms the cruel heat from the sun comes inside the room anyway and cannot get out from the windows. The air conditioner has to work hard only to eliminate this heat. That's why widow side area is so hot.
I wonder why building designers(architechts) are making so light of heat designing. A beautiful facade is always higher in their priority list. But it is about time for them to change. Integration of thermal design in their artistic and structural design is what is really demanded today in Japan.