This　paper　discusses　the　specific　design　strategy　of　a　novel　compact　unglazed　Solar　Thermal　Facade　(STF)　for　building　performance　research　in　architectural　practice.　It　identifies　the　basic　role　of　such　STF　in　the　building　performance　simulation　and　analysis.　A　dedicated　design　strategy　based　on　the　BIM　(building　information　modelling)　concept　for　application　of　the　proposed　STF　is　then　developed　in　details.　This　research　work　clarifies　the　necessary　steps　in　ensuring　that　the　environmental/economic　factors　and　energy-efficiency　strategies　of　the　STF　are　integrated　with　the　building　design　and　analysis　process　at　the　early　stage.　(C)　Published　by　Elsevier　Ltd.