Dynamic façade
A dynamic façade, also known as a responsive façade, is a building exterior that can change in response to its surrounding environment to maximise its performance. This can help control the interior environment within the building, and so minimise the energy consumption of building services systems. In this way, the 'skin' of the building is not static, but dynamic and can transform according to requirements.
The responsiveness of the façade can be at the macro scale, which involves changes in its configuration using moving parts, or at the micro scale which involves changes affecting a material’s structure.
Macro responsiveness might include adjustable ventilation or moveable solar shading, used to optimise the amount of solar heat gain and visible light that is admitted into a building, or daylight lighting systems which can help to maximise natural daylight. Such shading systems can also help to reduce heat gains in hotter climates, thus reducing pressure on air conditioning systems, for example as in the Al Bahar Towers which are clad in an origami style moveable cladding system. Described by the architects as featuring "the world’s largest computerised dynamic facade. The design concept is based on the fusion between bio-inspiration, regional architecture, and performance-based technology."
Micro responsiveness might also include smart glazing or phase change materials and some dynamic facades may include methods for generating energy, such as solar photovoltaic panels.
Many dynamic systems can reduce a building’s reliance on heating, cooling and ventilation systems as well as artificial lighting and energy requirements.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.