Facade

• A façade refers to one side, usually the front of

a building. It is an integral piece to the overall
design of a building.
• It provides the opportunity to create a
character to a building.
• Facades can come in many shapes and sizes,
and it is really a chance for the architect to
showcase their talent by bringing a building to
life.
Why is a Building Façade
Important?
• to put the emphasis on design.
• plays an important role in energy efficiency
Different façade types
• Brickwork and stonework (masonry)
• Curtain walling.
• Precast concrete panels with various types of finishes.
• Tiles and stone veneer panels.
• Glass and steel façade systems.
• Double skin facades
• solar facade system
• Dynamic Facades
• Green façade & Green wall
 Curtain-wall facade

• Curtain walling is a type of light metallic or

glazed cladding system. It shaped into panels in
the factory itself.
• A curtain wall is a type of façade that has no
structural impact. It is a separate structure
attached to the building. This is particularly
common in modern architecture where the
architect simply utilizes a design but doesn’t
bring it into the structural support of a building.
 Curtain-wall facade

• Curtain wall is a non-load bearing exterior skin

that does not contribute stiffness to the
building structure
• Curtain wall may be comprised of multiple
substrates including aluminum framing,
stainless steel components, glazing, rubber
gaskets, sealant, insulation and metal
connections
A curtain wall is usually aluminum-framed wall, containing in-fills of glass,
metal panels. The framing is attached to the building structure and does not carry the
floor or roof loads of the building
Transom or horizontal rails are horizontal
members on the curtain wall panel. The
mullions or vertical rails are anchored to the
edge slab or beam. These are mainly involved
in supporting the dead weight of the curtain
wall. In conventional or sticky curtain wall
system each system has to be placed one
after the other.
Gaskets are strips of synthetic rubber or
plastic compressed between the glazing
and the frame,  forming a watertight seal.

Sealant: Sealant is a substance used to block the passage of fluids through the surface or
joints or openings in materials.
Unitized curtain
Unitized curtain systems are composed of large glass units that
are created and glazed within a factory and then sent to the
construction site. Once on site, the units can then be hoisted
onto anchors connected to the building.
• SPIDER GLASS CURTAIN WALLS. Spider
glass facade is a system for point-supported
vertical glazing in which thermally
toughened (tempered) glass sheets are
used, in single glazing or in insulated glass.
Tempered glass is about four times stronger than
"ordinary," or annealed, glass. And unlike annealed
glass, which can shatter into jagged shards when
broken, tempered glass fractures into small,
relatively harmless pieces. As a result, tempered
glass is used in those environments where human
safety is an issue

Backer rods are usually round, flexible lengths of foam that are used as a “backing” in joints
or cracks to help control the amount of sealant/caulking used and create a back stop. Many
sizes/diameters are available for optimal fitting to the size of the joint being sealed.
 Double-skin facade
• Consists of two glass skins bifurcated by an
intermediate cavity.  

• The air space between the two layers acts as an

insulating barrier against temperature extremes/
acting as a thermal buffer zone, noise, and wind.
There are 4 basic types of double skin systems:
•Buffer Façade
•Extract-Air Façade
•Twin-Face Façade
•Hybrid Façade
Buffer Façade
predates insulating glass and were
invented to maintain daylight into
buildings while increasing insulating and
sound properties of the wall system use
two layers of single glazing spaced 250 to
900 mm apart, sealed and allowing fresh
air into the building through additional
controlled means –either a separate
HVAC system or box type windows which
cut through the overall double skin
Extract-Air Façade
•comprised of a second single layer of glazing placed
on the interior of a main façade of double-glazing
(thermopane units)
•the air space between the two layers of glazing
becomes part of the HVAC system. The heated "used"
air between the glazing layers is extracted through
the cavity with the use of fans and thereby tempers
the inner layer of glazing while the outer layer of
insulating glass minimizes heat-transmission loss.
•fresh air is supplied by HVAC and precludes natural
ventilation
Defined: HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation,
and Air Conditioning. HVAC refers to the
different systems used for moving air between
indoor and outdoor areas, along with heating
and cooling both residential and commercial
buildings.
 the air contained with in the system is used by the HVAC system
–these systems tend not to reduce energy requirements as fresh
air changes must be supplied mechanically.
 Occupants are prevented from adjusting the temperature of
their individual spaces
 Shading devices are often mounted in the cavity. Again the space
between the layers of glass ranges from around 150mm to 900
mm and is a function of the space needed to access the cavity
for cleaning as well as the dimension of the shading devices
 This system is used where natural ventilation is not possible(for
example in locations with high noise , wind or fumes/smokes
Twin-Face Façade
•consists of a conventional curtain wall or thermal mass wall system
inside a single glazed building skin
•outer glazing may be safety or laminated glass or insulating glass
•shading devices may be included
•normally have an interior space of at least 500 to 600 mm to permit
cleaning
•distinguished from both Buffer and Extract Air systems by their
inclusion of openings in the skin to allow for natural ventilation
•single-glazed outer skin is used primarily for protection of the air cavity
contents (shading devices) from weather
•the internal skin offers the insulating properties to minimize heat loss
•outer glass skin is used to block/slow the wind in high-rise situations
and allow interior openings and access to fresh air without the
associated noise or turbulence
•Windows on the interior façade can be opened, while ventilation
openings in the outer skin moderate temperature extremes within the
façade
•use of windows allows for night-time cooling of the interior thereby
lessening cooling loads of the building's HVAC system.
•For sound control, the openings in the outer skin can be staggered or
placed remotely from the windows on the interior façade
Hybrid Façade:
The hybrid façade is a
system that combines one
or more of the basic
characteristics of the 3
main typologies to create
a new system.
Al Bahar Towers Abu Dhabi, UAE
Aedas Architects w/ Arup 2011
A responsive shading façade covers the east, west and
south faces of the towers.
North façade left clear for views to the city.
Doha Tower Doha, Qatar
Ateliers Jean Nouvel
2010
A fixed exterior skin that acts as a shading device
covers the all glass façade of the tower.
Opacity is varied according to the orientation.
Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, UAE
RMJM Architects
2012
Leans backwards 18o
Front side uses a metal screen for shading as the second façade
Top side opposite uses a more classic extract-air type façade to buffer the heat.
The key “green” strategies of double façade buildings
are noted as:
•provision of natural ventilation
•control of solar heat gain
•high levels of day lighting
•provision and protection of shading devices
•reduction in reliance on and size of mechanical
systems
•high level of occupant comfort
 Precast concrete facade
• Precast concrete panels are really effective
when you have tight construction schedules,
as their erection time is pretty quick.
• The manufacturing process is simple. Workers
cast concrete in a reusable mold, followed by
curing in a controlled environment. Trucks
then transport it to the construction site and
heavy machinery lifts it into place.
 Types of connections and joints

• Welded joints :made by welding plates or rods

with the embeds details in precast panels.

Bolted Connections
Anchor Bolt Connections
• Loop Box/wire loop connection : for efficient connection of
prefabricated concrete elements ; flexible wire loops in the case
spring into the correct position when the cover is opened.
Laborious rebending of rebar elements is therefore not
necessary.
solar facade system
• utilizing solar panels for the building facade 
• A solar facade system converts sun rays into
energy and most facades can be used for solar
cladding. Ventilated solar facade technology
offers many advantages such as electricity
production, facade insulation, extra thermal
properties, noise reduction etc
• A solar facade system converts sun rays into
energy and most facades can be used for solar
cladding. Renewable energy systems can be
installed against the facade and integrated
into the facade. Solar facade
systems guarantee harmonious integration of
photovoltaics into building facades.
Structure integrated
solar solutions
 • “Media Façades” are defined via their
surfaces, skins or membranes, which address
the public audience with their visual electronic
program.
In 2007, a LED based illumination was installed
on the northern side of the Empire State
Building, which can be seen as a forerunner
version of today’s media façades.
• Translucent systems: LED containing rods are woven into the mesh in equal
distances. This product is easily mounted on and removed from existing façades. The
resolution is video capable and is run by a computer. The central server is even
remote controllable via internet, allowing interactive and dynamic content
presentation. The horizontal pixel distance is 4,25cm minimum, while the vertical
pixel distance is 3cm minimum.

Autonomous 3D elements. Sometimes, larger 3D installations

are wanted. Then, a single element concept is preferred over
a flat LED containing mesh concept. Those single elements
could be ball-shaped or rhomb shaped plastic bodies. The
larger the dimension, the more sophisticated driver logic can
be stored in each device.

Opaque systems. In case a translucent system

is not wanted, this type is appropriate. High
power LEDs spotlight opaque diffusor elements
from behind, forming a tight surface. Using the
principle of additive color mixing, a large
variety of coloring can be achieved by utilizing
only three types of LED colors.
Facade lighting
The facade lighting does not only help to localize buildings and provide security it also plays a
key role in the architectural expression. 
• The GreenPix media wall is a groundbreaking concept, integrating sustainable and digital
technologies within the curtain wall of Xicui Entertainment Centre in west Beijing.
• Featuring the world’s largest color light-emitting diode (LED), it becomes a major new focus
for the digital artist community.
• The unique glass curtain wall comprises an approximately 2,000m² ‘interactive skin’ and
integrates a photovoltaic system for the first time in China. It performs as a self-sufficient
organic system, storing solar energy by day and using it to illuminate the screen after dark.
• With customized software, the skin interacts with the building interiors and outside public
space, transforming the façade into a responsive environment for entertainment and public
engagement.
A vertical garden / green wall or living wall:
is self sufficient vertical garden attached to
exterior or interior walls of a building. They have
growing media supported on the face of the wall

Green facades have soil only at the base of the

wall and support climbing plants on the face of
the wall to create the green, or vegetated facade.
• Vertical Gardening/green wall
SUPPORTING STRUCTURE The supporting structure
consists of a 10 mm PVC-board mounted on a stud
work. The solid PVC board is sealed at joints, and an air
gap between the board and the wall behind assure a
double protection against moisture. On top of the
board, a multi-layered, synthetic and highly absorbent
felt surface is attached. It gives an even distribution of
water over the surface and provides mechanical
support for the plants as they grow attached to the felt
Green facade
• A green facade is created by growing climbing plants up and across the facade of a
building, either from plants grown in garden beds at its base or by container planting
installed at different levels across the building.
• Green facades can create a cooler microclimate immediately adjacent to a building,
primarily through direct shading of the building facade, but also from cooling from plant
foliage (transpiration of water through the leaves), and evaporative loss of water from
the growing medium.
• The Babylon Hotel is located at the coastal Naman Retreat Resort among villas and
bungalows. Created for relaxation of the body and mind, the hotel accommodates
guests within a natural, lush environment. It is wrapped in greenery that hangs and
creeps up through a system of precast concrete louvres with a wooden texture.
• Its luscious skin not only adds beauty but reduces direct sunlight, creates oxygen, allows
the breeze to flow and keeps the interiors private. Arranged in an L-shape that
embraces the swimming pool, the three-story building provides a discreet atmosphere
immersed in wonderful nature.
• Modular green wall : Vertical Garden Modules is
made up of recycled poly propylene material. It
has attractive look, highly durable in nature and it
can be easily installed. It provides instant solution
for making garden in your residing place.

Green wall cups:

• Frame/ Supporting panel
• Easily detachable cups/pots
 Dynamic facade
• Dynamic Façades are also known as responsive
façades. They exhibit an ability to comprehend
and learn from their surroundings, adjusting
their behaviour accordingly.   The building skin
is not inert but transforms dynamically to
regulate the internal environment, reducing its
power demands. Ideally, they include methods
for generating energy. 
Dynamic Façade: Definition
“Also known as responsive facades. They exhibit an
ability to comprehend and learn from their
surroundings, adjusting behaviour accordingly. The
building skin is not inert, but transforms dynamically to
regulate the internal environment, reducing its power
demands. Ideally they include methods for generating
energy.”

The facade’s adaptability is based on the change

of properties or behavior at a macro or micro scale.

Macro scale: changes in the facade configuration

via moving parts (e.g. shading devices).

Micro scale: changes directly affect the structure

of a material like thermo physical or opaque optical
properties (e.g. smart glazing, PCM’s etc.).
 Existing dynamic facade technologies
• Bioreactor facades
• Dynamic shading devices
• GAP solution facade system
• Active smart glass technologies
• Passive smart glass technologies
• Photovoltaic (PV) integration
• Phase Change Materials
• Kinetic Facades
• Double Skin Facades

Though there are currently many

different technologies being
researched to incorporate into a
dynamic façade we chose 3 to model
and analyse in further detail.
 From the sun path analysis, we found that the
Sun path analysis sun’s altitude at noon when the need for
shading is more important, doesn’t change
significantly throughout the week. This means
that the depth or tilt of the dynamic shading
device doesn’t need to change every single
day. Also there is no need to change the depth
or tilt throughout the day because the
maximum depth/tilt can be applied for the
sun’s altitude at noon when the temperature is
higher. In the morning and in the afternoon,
even though the window coverage is slightly
smaller, the temperatures are lower. However,
If someone wants to achieve maximum
shading during the whole day, then alternative
shading schemes should be investigated.
Dynamic shading simulation

Base case model • Dyn

No shading devices
Weekly analysis (52 weeks)
• ami
Dyn
Dep
Energy Performance: th cami
Annual Heating and Tilt • Fixe
c
Cooling delivered
kWh • dFixe
d

60O For the evaluation of dynamic shading we applied the following

1.5m
process. We did a weekly analysis of our models. We simulated the
1m
base case model, which has no shading devices attached on the
façade, for 52 weeks and found the annual heating/cooling energy
used. We did the same for 2 models with dynamic shading, one with
dynamic tilt and another one with dynamic depth. We followed the
same process for 2 more models with static shading.

54
Horizontal shading (depth)
Dynamic depth
Length: 8m
Maximum depth: 1m
Minimum depth: 0.1m
Fixed depth: 1 m

1m
• Depth changes every week during the year when
necessary
• Maximum depth for every week is defined by the sun’s
altitude at noon (12:00)
• Maximum depth during winter
• Minimum depth during summer
• Sun’s altitude takes its lowest values during winter (42 O)
and its highest values during summer (89 O)

One of the dynamic shading cases was the depth of the overhang. It has a horizontal
position above the window and its depth changes throughout the year between 1m
and 0.1 m according to our sun path analysis. For the corresponding static model,
we kept the depth at 1 m for the whole year. 55
Tilt shading (angle)
Dynamic tilt
• Overhang dimensions: 1m x 8 m
• Maximum tilt: 90O (horizontal)
• Minimum tilt: 60O
• Tilt changes every week
• Maximum tilt for every week is defined by the
sun’s altitude at noon (12:00)
• Maximum tilt during summer (90O)
0.866m
• Minimum tilt during winter (60O)
0.5m
Fixed tilt: 60º
60O
• Sun’s altitude takes its lowest values during 1.5m
winter (42O) and its highest values during 1m
summer (89O)
56
 Results of shading simulation

7.9 %
6.5 %

Reduction in annual energy consumption

Dynamic tilt: 7.9%
Dynamic horizontal depth: 6.5%
Fixed tilt: 8.9%
Fixed horizontal depth: 7.5% 57
 Dynamic shading conclusions
Dynamic tilt
• Bigger energy reduction than dynamic horizontal
• Dynamic tilt energy reduction: 7.9%
Steady tilt
• Best results: 8.9% reduction in heating/cooling requirements
• Steady tilt shading blocks useful light during the whole year
• Blocks the view from the inside
• Not an option from an architectural perspective (visual impact on the building)
• Studied for academic purposes
Supplementary investigation
Integration of lighting control in combination with dynamic tilt Bigger reduction in cooling


•
requirements (lights increase temperature inside a building)
• Alternative shading schemes should be investigated (for more beneficial results)

58
Façade Design Approches
 Bimimicry
 Parametric
 Fractal
Biomimicry
• Nature has evolved systems that can be mimicked to solve design problems and create a more
sustainable future. When nature has a problem, evolution weeds out what doesn’t work and
selects the most effective adaptations. Humans could also address environmental problems by
using biomimicry — examining nature’s solutions and applying them to human designs.
• This mass housing design borrows heavily from the beehive. It doesn’t just mimic the shape
but also takes into account the self-cleaning and self-sufficient nature of the beehive. 
• The private spaces in all towers are composed of individually unique beehive-like cells. The
exterior skin of the towers consists of hexagonal lattice structures that derive from the unique
spatial structure and create the unique appearance of the towers. The hexagonal openings are
filled with various types of glass. The water distribution system also carries up to 30% of the
cooling load during the summer and cleans the glass windows of the building in the heavily
polluted city of Seoul.
• Atop the glass is a geo-textile that allows for the growth of vines and other flora that provide
additional cooling and environmental advantages to the building and surrounding site.
• Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and
mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a new
discipline that studies nature's best ideas and
then imitates these designs and processes to
solve human problems.
• Since 1970, a major problem worldwide is energy shortage
along with the high consumption of energy in buildings.
Architects are attempting to find solutions for managing
buildings energy consumption. One innovative approach is
Biomimicry ,Which is defined as the applied science that
derives inspiration for solutions to human problems
through the study of natural designs, systems, and process
• A subcategory of biomimicry is building skin which forms
the entire exterior of the building. It is the boundary
through which the buildings interaction with the
environment occurs. Proper management of the building
skin can significantly reduce the building's energy demand.
• Biomimicry has been applied in many fields
ranging from transportation, the car industry,
electronics and clothing. Through research in
biology Biomimicry can offer new
technological and contribute to advances in
several different fields
Biomimicry in Facades – Living Buildings Just like the surface
of a leaf, the ‘skin’ of future buildings may react to external
stimuli, opening, closing and breathing throughout the day
through a system of ‘cellular’ openings that allow light, air
and water in the apartments contained within.
Name of building Inspiration Application in Problem solved Level of
design biomimicry

National Aquatics Center, Water bubbles -The surface is -The bubbles collect solar Organism level
Bejing covered with energy that heats swimming
membrane of lit pools. -Allows for
blue bubbles of temperature regulation.
pneumatic
cushion created
from ETFE
allowing for the
bubble effect.

Bejing National Stadium Birds Nest -Contains ETFE -Facade openings allow for Behavior Level
panels that natural ventilation -panels
insulate by reduce the dead load
stuffing small supported by the roof. -cost
pieces of reduction, durable, and
materials in the recyclable.
twigs. -Panels
protect and
provide sunlight
filtration.
Daylight control
• Daylight can be used to counterbalance the use
of electrical lighting and ensure a positive effect
on not only the productivity of the occupants
but also their mood. According to studies, in the
absence of proper solar control, occupants tend
to draw blinds when visual or thermal comfort
thresholds are exceeded. These blinds are likely
to remain closed for some time, negating the
potential benefits of having the window in the
first place.
Facades generating Power – Photovoltaic Glass Unit
(PGU) Building integrated photovoltaic’s capture the
solar radiations and turn it into energy. A high level
of energy generation (up to 12 percent efficiency)
can be generated through Photovoltaic Glass unit.
The advantage of this technology is that it is allowing
the usage of fenestration part of the building as
PGU’s provides transparency to the human eye upto
70 per cent.
• Thermally Dynamic Facades – Phase Change
Materials (PCM) Façade, which responds in
accordance with the variations in outdoor conditions.
Thermally dynamic facades use phase change
material wherein a layer of salt crystals captures the
heat radiated by the sun and release it back to the
environment during non-operational hours. The
thickness of conventional materials used in buildings
is much more than the equivalent heat capacity of a
one-centimetre-thick PCM.