ABOUT ACTIVE SHADE®
Where Architecture, Innovation & Energy Expertise Come Together
Every commercial property is unique.
Your parking lot should be too.
At Active Shade®, we believe parking lots should do far more than simply provide a place to park. They should improve the customer experience, enhance your property’s appearance, reduce operating costs, support sustainability goals and create long-term value.
That’s why we combine architectural design, intelligent energy planning and innovative shade structures to help commercial property owners transform underutilized parking lots into valuable business assets.
Whether your goal is creating a better customer experience today or preparing your property for tomorrow, every project begins with thoughtful design and a long-term perspective.
OUR STORY
Active Shade® Was Born From Experience, Not Opportunity
Active Shade® didn’t begin with the idea of building shade structures.
Rather, it began with a simple observation.
After spending years working as both an architect and in the commercial solar industry, founder Jesse Henson repeatedly saw projects where architecture, solar and parking lot design were treated as completely separate disciplines.
Shade structures were designed independently.
Solar systems were added later.
Energy planning often became an afterthought.
The result was missed opportunities for both property owners and their customers.
Jesse believed there was a better way to serve property owners.
In 2013, while participating in Arizona’s Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation, he began developing what would become Active Shade®, an integrated approach that combines architectural design, commercial shade structures, and energy strategy into one cohesive solution.
During that process, the company secured both a federally registered trademark and a patent to protect the concept and its unique design approach.
Today, Active Shade® continues to help commercial property owners create parking lots that are more comfortable, more attractive, and more valuable for years to come.
Active Shade® Featured by the SBDC
Hear directly from founder Jesse Henson as he shares a brief look at the story behind Active Shade® and the thinking that helped turn an innovative idea into a patented approach to shade, solar and smarter outdoor spaces.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Many companies begin a project by asking:
“How many solar panels can we fit?”
We begin by asking a different question:
“What’s the smartest long-term investment for this property?”
That philosophy influences every recommendation we make…
Our goal isn’t to sell more equipment.
Our goal is to help our clients make better long-term decisions that maximize both customer experience and return on investment.
BACKED BY OCULUS STUDIO
A Stronger Foundation Through Architectural & Energy Expertise
Active Shade® is backed by Oculus Studio, an Arizona architectural practice specializing in high-performance building design and energy-efficient commercial projects.
This relationship provides clients with expertise that extends well beyond parking lot shade structures.
Our experience includes:
Rather than simply designing a structure, we evaluate how every component contributes to the long-term performance of your property.
It’s a broader perspective that helps produce smarter solutions.
WHY COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS CHOOSE ACTIVE SHADE®
We believe in maximizing long-term value.
Every recommendation is based on your property’s unique goals, energy usage, operational needs, and long-term vision.
OUR PROCESS
A Better Process Creates Better Results
Discovery
We begin by understanding your property, operational goals, and long-term objectives.
Evaluation
Our team evaluates your parking layout, architectural considerations, energy usage, and future opportunities.
Design
We develop a customized solution designed around your property’s specific needs—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Implementation
Working alongside experienced construction partners, we guide the project from concept through completion while maintaining the design intent that defines every Active Shade project.
Long-Term Value
The result is a parking lot designed to continue delivering value through improved customer comfort, energy performance, and future flexibility.
OUR VISION
Rethinking What a Parking Lot Can Be
We believe parking lots represent one of the most underutilized assets on commercial properties.
With thoughtful planning and integrated design, they can become spaces that:
For us, shade is just the beginning…