Façade
In its broadest sense, the term ‘façade’ can refer to any predominantly vertical face of a building envelope, such as an external wall. Consequently, a building may have more than one façade, such as the north façade, south façade and so on. Terraced buildings may only have two façades, a front façade and a rear façade.
Sometimes the term ‘façade’ is used to refer more specifically to external faces of buildings that have particular architectural emphasis, such as an imposing design, decoration, the main entrance to the building and so on. This will typically be the front of the building, facing onto a street or other public open space, but it may also be other faces depending on their architectural treatment and importance.
The word ‘façade’ is thought to be derived from the Latin 'facia', via the French ‘façade’ meaning ‘face’ or ‘frontage’. It was first used in English to refer to the front, or face of a building, but it has subsequently taken on an additional meaning in relation to concealing something behind a deceptive appearance, such as a person hiding their true feelings.
Considerations that might influence the design of a façade include:
- Site, topography and climate.
- The relationship to the street and access routes.
- The requirement for entrances, windows and other openings.
- Stylistic preferences.
- Requirements for climatic modification.
- The need for security and privacy.
- Available skills and materials.
- Regulations.
- Context and planning restrictions.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- ASTM International architectural model program standard E3223.
- Barrier wall system.
- BCIS elements.
- BRE Building Elements series (AP 243).
- Building fabric.
- Coping and capping
- Doors.
- Dynamic façade.
- Elements of buildings.
- Elements of structure in buildings.
- Elevation.
- Exterior wall.
- Facade access equipment.
- Facade cleaning.
- Facade maintenance.
- Façade Retention.
- Floor.
- Living façade.
- Louvre specifications.
- Roof.
- The building as climate modifier.
- Twickenham Studio - London's world-renowned film studio transformed.
- Types of wall.
- What are walls made of?
- Windows.
Featured articles and news
A transformative shift in the design, construction and management of built assets.
Apprenticeship announcement by the Prime Minister
Welcomed but with call for more actionable detail.
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
[[w/index.php?title=W/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DConstruction_contract_awards_reach_7.1bn_in_February,_their_highest_level_in_seven_months%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1&action=edit&redlink=1|Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February]]
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.