Look—walls are great, we love them here at Yellowtrace, but have you ever taken a moment to consider the power of the curtain? Far from mundane, the humble textile “structure” has the power to radically alter our perception of space and shape our architecture.

Flexible and versatile, curtains layer light, form and even building skins. From screens and dividers to mesh and PVC, the underestimated furnishing gets a workout in this roundup. Across all design sectors—residential, commercial, retail and hospitality spaces—curtains will surprise you in the most unlikely places.

Step into the curious world of curtains as we gather some of the most captivating examples we’ve come across over the years.

From the unconventional, architectural, metallic, tent-like, colourful, to straight-up weird but amazing, you’ll never look at curtains the same way again.

Terrassenhaus Berlin by Brandlhuber + Emde, Burlon + Muck Petzet. Photography by Erica Overmeer.

Chapel Of Silence by Studio Associates. Photography courtesy of Studio Associates.

M26 extension by BAST Architecture. Photography courtesy of BAST.

House On Lake Zell by Steiner Architecture. Photography by Florian Holzherr.

A11 by BAST Architecture and I Structures. Photography courtesy of BAST.

Madrid Centro Centro by Hector F Elorza. Photography by Montse Zamorano.

Atelier Gardens Studio 1 in Berlin by MVRDV. Photography by Stefan Korte.

Atelier Gardens Studio 1 in Berlin by MVRDV. Photography by Yasutaka Kojima.

SA Office & Labo in Shibuya City by SAKUMAESHIMA. Photography by Kenta Hasegawa.

Design Unit Studio by Sta Studio. Photography by Napat Pattrayanond.

Veil scaffolding installation by Figure for Craft Contemporary on Wilshire Boulevard, LA. Photography by James Leng.

Veil scaffolding installation by Figure for Craft Contemporary on Wilshire Boulevard, LA. Photography by James Leng.

Photography by James Leng.Photography by Jennifer Ly.

Veil scaffolding installation by Figure for Craft Contemporary on Wilshire Boulevard, LA. Photography by James Leng.

Veil scaffolding installation by Figure for Craft Contemporary on Wilshire Boulevard, LA. Photography by James Leng.

Blue Building in Bushwick, Brooklyn by Lot Office. Photography by Brian Ferry.

Silver Curtain Office in Munich by Buero Wagner. Photography courtesy of Buero Wagner.

How To Work Together 2014 Installation by Celine Condorelli in Chisenhale Gallery. Photography by Andy Keate.

Wilderness by Nuno Da Luz, 2015. Photography by Bruno Lopes.

Bathyard Home in Madrid by Husos Architects. Photography by Imagen Subliminal.

Modes Boutique by Gonzalez Haase. Photography by Melania Dalle Grave and Agnese Bedini courtesy of DSL Studio.

Fattoria Sant Eliseo Farm Shop by Visual Display. Photography by Camilla Bach.

Curtain by Julie Richoz for 4 Rooms Kastellorizo. Photography by De Pasquale Maffini.

Above The Clouds boutique in Surry Hills by Pattern Studio. Photography by Traianos Pakioufakis.

Locura Bar Byron Bay By Pattern Studio. Photography by Ben Hosking.

P1901 Molliettes House Renovation by Bureau Brisson Architectes. Photography by Alan Hasoo.

House With Clear Shapes And A Complex Entrance by Jonas Von Ostrowski & Studio Nitsche. Photography by Nicolas Wefers.

Paper Collective Office Showroom by Nikolai Kotlarczyk. Photography by Balder Skånström-Bo.

Old Scuola Pizzeria by Instability We Trust. Photography by Pim Top.

Gheama restaurant in Milan by Rooms Studio. Photography by Adrianna Glaviano.

Kiln by Fiona Lynch Office. Photography by Anson Smart.

Silversquare Central Brussels coworking space curated by Maniera. Photography by Jeroen Verrecht.

[Photography credits as noted.]