Elements And Disciplines Of Modern Facade Development

Often regarded as the face of the building, the facade determines how the building looks from the front, whilst the sides and back could be quite identical to every other building - just walls and windows. But in modern times, there is little room for typicality. Here is a tour of the main elements that uphold the modern building facade design dynamics.

 

How Today’s Building Facade Specialists Think Differently From Earlier Concepts

Mind it that “earlier” concepts do not always mean traditional while thinking differently in the new and modern ways, does not mean that it shuns off the traditional concepts.

 

Today’s building facades are a lot different from the traditional ones that had intricate faceted masonry and fortifications, or heavy arched structures that were typical to the Renaissance buildings with vaulted ceilings, Georgian architecture, pilasters and engaged columns and so on. Even until the early 1900s, building facades largely demonstrated the weight of prestige and wealth. It is from the 1920s, that the evolving norms for building and building facade development began to show in the western world.

 

Modern architectural concepts encourage innovation, wherein most of “elements” and “disciplines” can be redefined. Such a perspective is narrated by Howard Roark, the male protagonist of Ayn Rand’s literary classic, The Fountainhead, which was heavily influenced by the real-life architect, the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the pioneers of Organic Architecture and among the prominent craftsmen of 20th Century architecture. These visions, notably brought to life by the clan of Prairie School architects, and the Arts and Crafts movement, that widely advocated the “less is more” outlook. It was during these times that the dry dash and pebble dash insulated render facade was widely used on Edwardian Buildings.

 

From the 1970s the modern building facade development disciplines involved more complex objectives such as structural engineering, thermal performance, acoustic performance and weather-resistance. Whilst a lot has changed in terms of architectural standpoint wherein a facade can also be a curtain wall or rainscreens, have entered the scene.

 

Glass Facades Dominate The Cityscape

Nowadays, whenever someone thinks of high-riser facades, usually the first picture that comes to mind is a tall, glass building. That’s is what modern skyscrapers are made of. The widely chosen and aesthetically clean outlook of glass facades is what every other rainscreen company would amass on. Glazed facade systems allow greater window space, thus the interior of the building can get more heat and sunlight.

Full Building Envelops are widely chosen for skyscrapers, and these systems cover all the sides of the building, practically enveloping it. To design and construct full-scale building envelopes, and align it with the superstructure of the main building, the engineer would have to align with multiple systems, suppliers of materials, the window contractor and abide by the Government rules for custom manufacturing and installation norms.

Another high-on-trend exteriors element is Rain Screen Systems. A modern design marvel that uses a double-wall construction facade, that reduces the harshness of the sunlight penetration and works as an outer layer for ventilated cladding. These are very lightweight and can be installed easily. Equalised to pressure, rainscreens come in the vented and drained configuration. Rainscreens protect the building from weather-bourne damages like that from storm, rain or snow.

Glazed Facades, however, is dependent on feasible shading systems which can go on to be quite expensive. The heat and glare obtained from glass curtain walls are often not the best choices for places with a hot, arid climate. Many such buildings have increased use of Air Conditioners and the big window aesthesis, though looks stunning from the outside are most of the times curtained down. Most importantly the sunlight reflecting on the glazed glass can increase heat in the environment. Moreover, the need for the bulk of fluoropolymer-based thermoset coatings to reduce weather-bourne degradation of the glass, can in turn fume toxic gasses when coming in contact with the scorching heat of the sun. This system, thus, faces avid competition from the “sustainable building” ethos.

Methods and Materials Used By The Sustainable Facade & Rainscreen Contractor UK  

The faction of Sustainable Building Development is growing at large across the world. Energy efficiency and thermal performance, both inside and outside the building and overall a safer and non-disruptive environmental impact is not only coveted but is crucial now.

Brick slip facades are becoming more and more popular, that largely comply with a lot of sustainability norms. Brick slips made of mud and terracotta or veneers make good use. These are, though not the best solution for dynamic aesthesis as glass and metal-based structures, but give away much stable temperature in the interior, but absorbs the excess heat. These are also low-on maintenance. Though highly cost-effective, bricks can be heavy, brick slips offer a more lightweight option. Other facade materials that fall in this category include GRC Facade systems, fibre reinforced concrete and thermally modified wood.

 

Conclusion

Speaking of disciplines and elements for the exterior of a building, be it a curtain wall, rainscreen or facade cladding, there are many ways you can redefine your project. Speak to a Window Company in the domain of your building type, and start from the bottom line first method, wherein your project objective and budget should guide your decision making.