Skyline shapers: Facade design takes centre stage

by tanya_martins_2 | November 1, 2024 3:02 pm

By Peter Hiebert

skyscraper with colourful patches on the facade[1]
Photos courtesy Construction Specialties

Today’s commercial and mixed-use buildings demand innovation and creativity. They’re bigger and taller than ever, need to accommodate an ever-growing list of amenities, and fit where space is at a premium in cities. Architects must be creative in meeting these needs. Still, they also have the unique responsibility of working with building owners to add pieces of functional art to the skyline—buildings that complement their surroundings yet stand out on their own. Enter facade design.

Facades are arguably the part of the building with the greatest potential for impact on occupants, stakeholders, the community, and even an entire skyline. The range of innovative products at an architect’s disposal today offers the whole gamut of esthetic and functional benefits, making it possible to create a singular design appeal in a new building or add dramatic new effects by retrofitting an existing structure.

Creative elements driving modern day facade design

Several design themes are driving some of today’s most impressive structures worldwide.

shutter facade with neon lights[2]
Mixing multiple facade materials within one sightline on a building can add visual complexity.
rendering of a ski resort building [3]
Architects and designers can consider incorporating photography, graphics, patterns, and colour into their design planning, using these elements to support any kind of branding and even serve as signage or wayfinding.

Creating the illusion of movement

The illusion of movement within facade design is a fully established esthetic that looks to be a mainstay for at least the coming decade. Consider buildings that originated this design, such as Studio Gang’s 82-story Aqua Tower in Chicago. Other examples include MahaNakhon by Büro Ole Scheeren or Zaha Hadid Architects’ Nanjing International Youth Cultural Centre. In Canada, there is Vancouver House, as well as Telus Sky in Calgary, Alta—both designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) Architects. An even newer example is One Manhattan West, which defies the traditional box shape with rounded corners that gently twist skyward. Creating facades that lend to the illusion of movement provides an evolving visual effect as people view the building from elevated and street-level perspectives.

Thin profiles

Urbanization is increasing. According to United Nations forecasting, seven out of 10 people will live in cities by 2050. Faced with a massive shortage of space, mixed-use concepts bring high-density tower blocks and space-saving neighbourhood developments to life. Space has always been hard to come by in premium markets such as Toronto, New York City, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Dubai. The practice of building tall, slender buildings that maximize space is not going anywhere.

LED Integration

Lights and colour can add a dramatic effect to a building. These design elements can also convey branding, messaging, and even key values of the organization housed inside. When mastered and designed properly, integrating light-emitting diodes (LEDs) within a facade can distinguish between a building that blends contextually with the surrounding neighbourhood or serves as a striking focal point.

Linear design

Vertical elements in a facade draw the eye upward and emphasize a building’s height. Meanwhile, horizontal lines can underscore vast expanses and suggest strength and stability. Blades and wall louvers can co-ordinate well with a facade’s other vertical or horizontal elements. Examples include curtain wall verticality and metal panels with ribs oriented vertically.

Perforated materials

Perforated products such as fins, screens, and panels add a look of technical sophistication and visual interest. Implementing these design elements offers an elevated esthetic without significantly impacting the budget. Digital printing and other means of adding visuals to a facade open the opportunity to carry company branding to the exterior of a building. This can include signage, images, colours, and other supporting brand elements.

construction worker working on pipe[4]
Increasingly, manufacturers are producing custom products indoors rather than on-site. This makes installation faster, easier, and more cost-effective than ever before.

workers lifting elements of a building facade [5]

facade of a building[6]
The illusion of movement within facade design is a fully established esthetic that looks to be a mainstay for at least the coming decade.

Blending multiple materials

Mixing multiple facade materials within one sightline on a building can add visual complexity. Various elements—from perforated to solid materials to wood and stone looks—create different points of interest, adding a sense of harmony when used wisely. However, this tactic must be used carefully to avoid an overuse of materials, which can create a cluttered look.

Gaining function without sacrificing esthetics

Elements such as louvers are necessary on tall buildings to keep them functional, safe, and healthy. Before, louvers may have been reluctantly integrated into a design or hidden at the back of a building. Now, many custom options on the market allow specifiers the flexibility to integrate and incorporate these elements more creatively.

Shift to prefab

Increasingly, manufacturers are producing custom products indoors rather than on-site. This makes installation faster, easier, and more cost-effective than ever before. Making products in a controlled environment eliminates the wild card of weather, which helps projects stay on schedule. This lowers installation costs and increases productivity at every step of construction.

Bending the rules

Architects are constantly pushing the building envelope. At the same time, building product manufacturers are stepping up to meet the architect’s vision, no matter how big, high, twisted, or unexpected. An exterior wall surface such as metal panels lends itself to this vein of creative thinking. However, it must still accommodate the functional needs of the building, such as adequate airflow and ventilation to support the HVAC system. Regardless of the complexity of the facade, building product manufacturers have assembled teams primed to take on the difficulty of any project.

Custom facade design and specification

When designing and specifying some of these newer facade options, several key considerations should be examined at the project’s outset.

billboard inside a mall with the image of a man putting a ring on a woman[7]
Digital printing is a highly customizable innovation 
that allows the application of imagery onto any flat surface, including perforated sheets, linear sun controls, and louvers, as well as custom profiles and extrusions.
low-rise building[8]
The range of innovative products at an architect’s disposal today offers the whole gamut of esthetic and functional benefits.

Brand requirements and project vision

The building application

 

Engineering for safety and stability

building complex[9]
Building product manufacturers are stepping up to meet the architect’s vision, no matter how big, high, twisted, or unexpected.

neon-lit exterior facade in a building[10]

Lighting needs and limitations

 

Longevity concerns

Fabrication limitations

Fasteners

metallic facade[11]
Blades and wall louvers
can co-ordinate well with a facade’s other vertical or horizontal elements.

Overcoming budget constraints

Beyond the design statement

Aside from making memorable first impressions and expressing a singular design statement, facades also boost certain performance benefits.

Occupant comfort and well-being

Facades that preserve views facilitate a connection with the world outside the building. This can boost people’s well-being and performance by providing biophilic benefits that have been found to support cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being. Thoughtfully designed facades can also support daylighting needs. Basking in natural light syncs circadian rhythms to better-quality sleep—the number one predictor of health outcomes. These are all aspects included in the WELL Building Standard’s Light and Mind sections.

Building performance

Adding louvers and sunshades to a facade mitigates solar heat gain and minimizes glare. These attributes boost overall building performance by reducing demands on HVAC and lighting systems. This optimizes energy performance and reduces building operating costs. This solution is applicable to both new construction and in retrofit scenarios. Often, the level of need for solar control is only realized after a building is built and occupants experience discomfort with interior temperatures. This may even occur years later as HVAC systems age or climate change increases exterior temperatures. Building owners and facility managers can retroactively add sunshades and passive louvers to an existing building to boost HVAC efficiency and mitigate solar heat gain.

While facade design can dramatically impact a building’s presence and overall impression, incorporating innovative facade ideas does not have to be overly complicated. Some facade manufacturers can help simplify the process of bringing a design vision to life through semi-custom solutions stemming from a standard offering. They are also ready to help architects and designers think through key considerations and possible limitations at all steps of the 
design process.

Author

headshot of a man in a suit[12]

Peter Hiebert is a seasoned sales leader with extensive experience in the construction and architectural product industry. Currently serving as general sales manager for Canada at Construction Specialties Inc., Hiebert has been instrumental in driving growth, developing strategic partnerships, and championing innovative solutions across the region. His passion lies in becoming a trusted design solution advisor, helping clients create functional and inspiring spaces through tailored architectural solutions.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Vista-Grande-Apartments_4.jpg
  2. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04_16Chestnut_print.jpg
  3. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Snow-Boarders-Facades-by-Design-Snow-Mountains.jpg
  4. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/210219_CS_Riazzi_045.jpg
  5. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/210302_Riazzi_122.jpg
  6. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/21_FinalRiazzi_018.jpg
  7. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Facades-by-Design-Perform-Louvers-Jewerly-Store.jpg
  8. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Circa-Central-Park-ccpk_0303.jpg
  9. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Miami-Dade-College_4.jpg
  10. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Miami-Dade-College_5.jpg
  11. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rose-Hill_3.jpg
  12. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Peter-Hiebert.jpg

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