Final answer:
Architects may use curtain walls to enhance natural lighting, fulfill contemporary design aesthetic, and accommodate advanced glass fastening systems without providing structural support.
Step-by-step explanation:
An architect might choose to use a curtain wall because it allows for large planes of glass, providing for extensive natural light, open interior spaces, and aesthetic appeal that conforms to contemporary architectural design. Although curtain walls do not provide structural support, they are significant for their role in enabling non-load-bearing walls, thus permitting architects like Mies to express the load-bearing function of steel and other materials in a building's design. Notably, curtain walls contribute substantially to the design of eco-friendly buildings by accommodating advanced systems of glass fastening and using materials like aluminum that have the appearance of glass but the strength of steel, contributing to a building's sustainability and functionality.