“Every facade is a dialogue between the external world and the internal spirit of the building.” – Zaha Hadid.
The outer layer of an edifice’s shell is more than just a layer. The face represents its “character”, protects it like skin, and works as a dynamic interface with its environment. As of the 21st century, architecture is envisioned as a” living interface” where the building skin acts as a structure and performs many roles. Building skins perform in different regions, follow nature’s seasons, and speak through designs and textures, bridging the relationships between the environment and the humans inhabiting it. This viewpoint causes us to rethink how we view facades and they can help in altering the architectural experience in a manner that is resourceful.
The Storyteller Facade
A building’s facade serves as a visual expression of a cultural landmark, reflecting its location and people’s history and identity. This is magnificently exemplified in the jaali (lattice) screens found in Indian architecture. One such example is the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, located in further India and famed for its finest proliferation of Mughal architecture, a beautifully carved Jaali – Tree of Life. Traditionally, these jaalis are made of stone or wood, and yes it is decorative but functional; it enables sunlight control, improves air flow, and provide privacy. Their geometries are representative of the region and incorporate different cultural themes, making such facades a witness to culture and arts.
Concerning jaalis, the concept has reverberated to nadir using parametric design. Projects like the Pearl Academy located in Jaipur redefined the conventional hawa pani work with smart cutting-edge technology enabling the creation of responsive facades that respond to the sunlight’s angles. Such creations achieve not only the architectural goals but also the enhancement of the culture of Jaalis in the right way. By merging tradition and technology modern jaalis turn the surface of buildings into a narrative where past and future meet in one facade.
The Performer Façade
The Wainwright Building introduces a new type of aesthetics: a “facade as an activity” in which a facade no longer becomes a static and mute interface of an envelope, but rather becomes a “living” surface. The concept underlying a Performer Facade exposes the evolution of the role of the architectural skin from being purely functional to being also aesthetic.
An excellent case study is the Al Bahar Towers in Abu Dhabi which are the brainchild of the Aedas Architects. The towers are designed with kinetic shading devices based on Islamic geometry. The facade is a series of triangular panels that open and close throughout the day depending on the position of the sun, hence, the openings and closing of the panels decrease the amount of solar heat gain by 50% towards the inside of the building. It not only reduces the energy needs of cooling but also increases the indoor thermal comfort and the shape of the building is not out of the culture of the people.
Performative facades such as this are given as urban stage actors who are constantly changing their roles, which are dictated by the space around them. They alter the way architecture is perceived to be about its environment, and eventually, the future of inhabited shelters will be intelligent structures that are dynamic in nature and eco-friendly in their design and functioning components.
The Healer Façade
Not only are facades appreciated for their aesthetics, functionality and sense of proportion, but also their active impact on the architectural and urban environment. But as the environmental issues and climate change problems become more acute the skins of buildings will become more and more a living part of urban ecology.
One of the most compelling examples of a “Healer Facade” is the CaixaForum Madrid. This cultural center features a large green wall, a bio-skin that absorbs CO2, purifies the air, and contributes to the building’s thermal regulation. The wall, covered with lush vegetation, acts as a natural filter, improving air quality while reducing the urban heat island effect.
By integrating plant life into the facade, CaixaForum rejuvenates the surrounding environment, turning the building into an ecological asset. This innovative approach demonstrates how facades can go beyond their traditional functions to support sustainability, contributing positively to the health of both the built and natural environments.
The Communicator Façade
In the digital age, building façades are the most prominent communication tools that a building can use. With the use of interactive technology, such building envelopes can be able to provide and relay information, reflect emotions, and even display art forming a lively interaction with the outdoor environment.
One of the finest examples of this is the GreenPix Zero Energy Media Wall located in Beijing. This feature is made up of LED panels composed in such a way that they cover an entire wall of the structure allowing videos, commercials as well as information to be broadcasted on it, essentially converting the building into a video screen. The advanced display wall is likewise one hundred percent powered by solar energy which further emphasizes sustainability, a clear direction towards the uniting of technology and environmentally friendly designs.
In urban settings, Communicative facades enhance urban space by allowing facades to speak to the people around them, allowing for new levels of interaction. They are also an important source of many platforms and means of communication where one can view visuals, interact with art, and even see real-time data of the environment.
The Ecosystem Facade
Facades are evolving into living, breathing components of the urban landscape, functioning like ecosystems that support biodiversity, manage water, and even grow food. These “green” facades are transforming buildings into self-sustaining, ecological assets that enhance both environmental and human well-being.
A standout example is Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) in Milan. Designed by Stefano Boeri, this residential tower features two vertical forests, with over 9,000 trees and 13,000 plants integrated into the building’s facade. These plants not only contribute to air purification and biodiversity but also provide shade and help reduce the urban heat island effect, promoting natural cooling.
The ecosystem facade of Bosco Verticale acts as a living entity, fostering an urban environment that supports nature while improving the quality of life for residents. This approach exemplifies how facades can become integral parts of the ecosystem, recycling water, promoting biodiversity, and even contributing to food production, ultimately making cities more resilient and sustainable.
Building skins are no longer simply the skin of the building; they are the narrative of action that involves people. They add drama to structures, connect the building to the surrounding environment, integrate culture, relate to weather, conserve energy, and maintain ecological balance. As facades are actuated by parametric, responsive and healing technologies, the urban fabric becomes more sustainable and resilient. Responsive and beautiful building skins can integrate history and design with contemporary reality, serve their purpose or create an impact, and have grown to be an important component of the urban context; showcasing the ability of construction that complements surroundings and people.
Citations for Websites:
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- Morphogenesis. (n.d.). Pearl Academy. [online] Available at: https://www.morphogenesis.org/our-works/pearl-academy-of-fashion/. [Accessed 26 Dec. 2024].
- AHR. (n.d.). Al Bahr Towers | Projects. [online] Available at: https://www.ahr.co.uk/projects/al-bahr-towers. [Accessed 27 Dec. 2024].
- Herzog & de Meuron (2008). 201 CaixaForum Madrid. [online] Herzog & de Meuron. Available at: https://www.herzogdemeuron.com/projects/201-caixaforum-madrid/.[Accessed 27 Dec. 2024].
- SGP Architects. (2024). SGP Architects. [online] Available at: http://sgp-a.com/#/single/xicui-entertainment-center-and-media-wall/ [Accessed 29 Dec. 2024].
- Stefano Boeri Architetti (2018). Vertical Forest | Stefano Boeri Architetti. [online] Stefano Boeri Architetti. Available at: https://www.stefanoboeriarchitetti.net/en/project/vertical-forest/.[Accessed 29 Dec. 2024].
