Better ways of shading balconies

I am attaching a couple of pictures of how, in the hot country of Spain, where many apartments have balconies, the residents create shade and shelter, accommodate their air con units, while also creating a unified appearance for their building.




First, there is the use of CURTAINS. All of the same design, same colour. Quite a nice bright approach I think!



Then, there is the use of vertical fixed awnings, here in yellow... again, creating a uniform appearance, even though not all the units have chosen to install awnings... I like the fact that the residents are made to put the a/c units within their balcony, so that they don't really jump out at you...



Finally, here is a high rise block, finished in brick, with a mix of vertical roller blinds and retractable horizontal awnings, in a nice dark green. Again, not all units have it, but it is enough that those awnings that are there, are of the same family. Plus, the balconies, being kept open, enhances the 3-dimensional depth of the facade. This not only retains the original design intent, but also cuts down on the amount of heat being absorbed into the apartment during the hot Spanish summers (much hotter than here!). The planting by the residents is another plus.

The above are all non-conservation buildings.

Wouldn't it be great if our estate could recover a better external appearance if there was some thought taken by all of us and our designers, when we 'work' on our balconies? Afterall, when one moves into a conservation estate, the historic appearance is something that both attracts us in the first place, and is something that we all should contribute to...

Imagine how much better if we could recover this appearance: