Abstract Passive systems are acknowledged to highly optimize the thermal and energy performance of buildings. A detailed literature review shows that solar shading technologies play a key role in improving indoor thermal and lighting behavior according to outdoor environmental condition. Moreover, the possibility to control their dynamic operations by means of automatic systems is showing promising findings. In this view, the present paper aims at analyzing the thermal and lighting performance of a full scale test room with varying the layout of an external venetian blind system. In particular, the test-room was continuously monitored in two different periods with the purpose of evaluating the effects of several shading system configurations compared to an automatic one, controlled by outdoor selected parameters (air temperature and illuminance). The experimental apparatus consists of a full scale prototype building designed considering Italian typical residential buildings in terms of envelope materials and geometry (transparent and opaque envelope area). The shading layout was periodically modified with the final objective of quantifying the effect of such modifications in terms of indoor thermal and lighting performance. The results show that the different configurations of the venetian blind hugely affect indoor thermal and lighting performance. In particular, the dynamic behavior of the automated venetian blind is able to produce the highest benefits.