The purpose of the research project described in part here was to inform strategic environmental and architectural issues in the design of three buildings for Potsdamer Platz, Berlin. The design team consists of Richard Rogers Partnership (architects), the Martin Centre (research consultants), RP+K Sozietät (environmental engineers), debis Immobilienmanagement mbH (client), and Drees & Sommer AG (project manager). The research element of the project was funded by the European Union's JOULE II Solar House Programme (JOU2-CT93-0436) and the Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa. Our role in the design development was as daylighting and sunlighting research consultants with the aim of informing building form, façade design and the interior to improve environmental performance. This paper focuses particularly on the research and development of the façade, briefly describing the role of research activities in design. The purpose of this paper is thus not to describe new or pure research, but rather to investigate the architectural potential of environmental issues and analysis techniques.