HOW

FACADES
DEFINE
ARCHITECTURE
AESTHETICS
OF A BUILDING
Factors to be considered for
efficient building facades

Written and photographed by

Renielle S. Maglayo

Singapore Buildings|
Photo by Renielle S. Maglayo
 The word
‘Facade’
means
face in
French,
and a
building’s
facade is
actually
its front.
While space utilization,
structural stability, and
sustainability are some of the
factors that makes a good
building design, the facade
makes the building inviting and
gives a sense of arrival.

In this article, we shall explore

some key aspects to be
considered for designing
facades. To achieve an
exceptional design, it should
satisfy certain factors that will
ultimately determine whether its
architecture transcends simple
aesthetics.
Roppongi Hills| Photo by Renielle Maglayo
 MATERIAL
MATERIAL
SELECTION
SELECTION
The most important aspect to
be considered in designing
building facades is the
selection of materials. The
materials deeply affect the
overall appearance and feel
of the building. Material
selection is time consuming
since the availability of
materials is like a spectrum,
wide and colorful.
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It can exude warmth with
natural materials like bamboo
and wood while it can make
the structure monumental with
glass. The choice of material
depends on the end usage
and purpose that the building
is meant to serve. For instance,
the transparent glass facades
of restaurants give a glimpse
of elegant interiors and happy
customers, thereby enticing
more people to enter the
restaurant.
 DESIGN
Before the actual construction, there

SCHEMATIC
are basic schematics and engineering
computations for the preliminary facade
design. This also means the acquisition
of all the necessary requirements.

SCHEMATIC
The schematics includes the budget
allocation, the goals and objectives of
the design, and the various legal and
practical constraints related to the

DESIGN
construction.

The schematic design begins with the

definition of the purpose that the
facade would serve. Next to be
considered are the intent, allocated
budgets, timelines, amount of labor
required, regulatory considerations and
more.

All of these will serve as a guide towards

the main purpose of the facade.

Façade design using computer software | Visual presentation by Renielle Maglayo

 FUNCTIONALITY
According to ProjectLink, one of
Australia's biggest online directories for
the building, road, landscaping, mining,
port and railway sectors, the practical
usages of facades can be further
subdivided on their functionality:

1. Increasing customer inflow

2. Increasing privacy
3. Product showcase
4. Differentiating oneself from
competitors
5. Environmental consciousness and
building facades
SENSE OF ARRIVAL
The concept of a sense of arrival is
broadly defined as the glorious
moment when a person arrives at the
threshold of an establishment. The term
is used primarily in the hotel industry.

A good facade design must have a

great sense of arrival. It should have an
intent to wow the users of the structure.
A sense of arrival is critical, as it sets the
tone for the intentions of the users.
 OPTIMIZING
COMFORT
Energy conservation and comfort
optimization may be at odds but they
can also work in harmony, particularly
when conceptualized early in the
planning process.

For example, it is known that daylighting

and views to the outdoors positively
impact the well-being of building
occupants but windows also have
traditionally been major sources of heat
loss and transfer. Fortunately, there have
been recent advancements in window
design (such as triple glazing). It made it
possible to use more glass with less
impact on energy efficiency.

MINIMIZING
Building with complex façade in Singapore |
Photo by Renielle Maglayo
MAINTENANCE
Every building requires steady maintenance to prolong its state of originality and
intended performance. Building maintenance can be costly, architects and
engineers are challenged to seek solutions that require the least amount of
upkeep.

As future architects, we must be able to know how we could help our future clients
define the true life expectancy of a structure. With this knowledge, we can begin
to develop a facade design that minimizes maintenance costs over the entire
scope of the building’s life.

Building in Tokyo, Japan| Photo by Renielle Maglayo

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EVER-CHANGING WORLD
Every project presents new and dynamic sets of
challenges from climate and building codes to owner
requirements and contractor and consulting
limitations. A good design with a holistic approach will
benefit building owners and facility executives early
on in a project. This is especially true when it comes to
a building’s exterior.
With the ever-changing environment,
great facades must do more than just
catch the eye. It must also enhance
resiliency, efficiency, have a strong
sense of arrival, and enjoyment of a
building for a number of years.

Dior building in Harajuku,

Tokyo, Japan|
Photo by Renielle S. Maglayo