Skyline shapers: Facade design takes centre stage

by tanya_martins_2 | November 1, 2024 3:02 pm

By Peter Hiebert

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Brand requirements and project vision

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Are there esthetic requirements or constraints provided by the building owner? For instance, does it need to incorporate brand colours, have a specific mood, be a certain overall shape, etc.?
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What types of articulated elements should be applied to the building design? These elements elevate texture, shadow, or light or highlight geometric shapes. New capabilities in digital printing have elevated specific facade solutions to a new level of visual impact. Some highly customizable innovations allow the application of imagery onto any flat surface, including perforated sheets, linear sun controls, and louvers, as well as custom profiles and extrusions. Architects and designers can consider incorporating photography, graphics, patterns, and colour into their design planning, using these elements to support any branding and even serve as signage or wayfinding.

The building application

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Determining where a custom facade element makes the most sense is essential. It could be in the front, back, top of the building, or 360 degrees. Look at how to enhance outdoor spaces best and consider depth, dimensions, custom sizes, and shapes.
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When considering the application, consider whether standard manufacturer offerings will work or if custom-engineered products are needed. Look at what can be attained with standard products. Given the range of colour, size, and format options often available, a custom look can often be achieved with a standard product. Many manufacturers can also take standard products and work with the designer for a semi-custom solution.

 

Engineering for safety and stability

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Most jobs require engineering support or testing for safety to determine what is necessary for the architectural elements. This will help a designer know if the support and blades are engineered to meet local codes. For instance, spacing adjustments may be needed in designing for a coastal area with a high wind load. The facade may have to be attached every 1 to 1.2 m (3 to 4 ft) instead of every 2.4 m (8 ft) allowed in inland areas. Engineer support will also help the project team know span capabilities and constraints.
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Is there a need to cover HVAC or electrical equipment/generators, etc., on or around the building? Partnering with a manufacturer early in the design process can help the design team develop creative ways to prevent these necessary elements from becoming an eyesore. Facades can also become a solution for acoustics when there is a need to screen HVAC noise. Some manufacturers offer a selection of acoustic louvers that can help mitigate mechanical noise.

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Lighting needs and limitations

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With a parking garage, how much natural light gets into it? How much artificial light needs to be added? Is there an apartment complex next door? Local building codes must be followed to mitigate the garage’s interior lights and cars’ headlights from impacting others. Vision screens and other facade skins, fins, perforated metal, etc., can ventilate a garage naturally while keeping light from affecting the neighbouring area. Conversely, screening elements, vision barriers, decorative screens, and louver systems can help reduce the need for artificial lighting and help to create safer feeling spaces, which is in line with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) design principles.
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Do any parts of the building need to be shaded? For example, architectural facades can be used on the east and west sides of buildings to help control the impact of sunlight and increase occupant comfort. Some manufacturers have their own models to test sun studies and determine the best placement for sun shading elements in a facade.

 

Longevity concerns

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How can design teams optimize durability for the life of the facade? Think about the life of the building. Are there longevity constraints? How long-term does the building need to be? How does cost figure into the lifecycle of the building? Sometimes, long life expectancy is not required based on the renovation cost. Consider how durable a product really needs to be. For example, corrosion resistance can be gained with heavy-duty powder coat finishes.

Fabrication limitations

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Fabrication can have limitations. If designed in large sections, pieces can become too heavy, and the contractor will have difficulty installing them in the field. Ask the fabricator what is happening in the supply chain and how that affects the design and timeline. For anything a designer can draw, there is likely a manufacturer out there who can make it—sometimes within limits. For instance, consider a facade with a triangular blade. A manufacturer can probably execute it, but it might not be an exact triangle. Stay flexible. Talk to vendors and contractors to ensure the proposal is feasible before getting too far into the approval process.

Fasteners

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Fasteners might also be a challenge. Work with a manufacturer and engineering team to ensure the fasteners are engineered to support the facade so the resulting design does not bow or fall. That is why it is essential to specify engineering calculations.

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Overcoming budget constraints

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Budget constraints are common, but there are ways to control costs and achieve the desired esthetics. Engage contractors, vendors, and manufacturers early on. When part of the design is custom, it will naturally have a higher price tag. For tighter budgets, consider using a standard product offering instead. Ensure the ramifications of cost are realistic and then alter the design to improve the costs. For example, space blades farther apart. By using less product, the cost will be lower as well. A less expensive finish can also be selected.
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Are there any products that are required to be specified because of building codes? In some cases, there may not be much choice for some products because of building codes from both a local and international perspective.

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

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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.

Source URL: https://www.constructioncanada.net/skyline-shapers-facade-design-takes-centre-stage/

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