The primary goal of dynamic building envelopes is to meet and balance antagonistic performance criteria utilizing automatic operation. As opposed to static systems, automated shading and daylighting systems are increasingly being used in façade design with the intent to improve building performance. Taking this into consideration, the question that arises is whether such systems can significantly improve buildings energy performance and occupants׳ visual and thermal comfort. The present paper is a review of dynamic operation methods of shading/daylighting systems and their associated implications in building energy balance. Based on the subject distribution of the reviewed studies, the majority of the systems examined are versions of motorized blinds while the analysis of new emerging ideas on deployable and foldable façade systems is limited. User acceptance is quite crucial and is strongly dependent on the system׳s intuitive operation. According to the paper findings, energy savings with automatically controlled blinds depend on the type of control strategy and their connection to dimmable electric lighting systems. Even though control strategies enhance energy performance and occupants׳ comfort, their level of complexity highly affects their efficiency and therefore influences their performance.