COMPOSITION IN COMMERCIAL BUILDING FACADE Submitted by:

P V S Teja
Guided by: B150543AR
Dr. Anil Kumar P P Semester VIII
INTRODUCTION
 Composition plays an important role in designing a commercial building façade. It is far more than
aesthetics, it can be an aid for interpretation of character of the building. façade. Façade is not just
limited to one side of the building; in addition to occupying a part of the entire structure, it also
influence the space in and around the building. In the case of commercial buildings it must create an
influence on the people working in the building and on general public. A better façade not only helps
in visual balance and appearance of the building, but also helps in attaining a proper balance with
the inner and outer environment. Façade is the face, that puts the business towards the public.
AIM: The aim of this research is to study and analyse various composition
principles used for designing commercial building facades.

OBJECTIVE:
• Study on importance of façade in designing commercial building and its
various compositional techniques, principles and geometrical calculations
that are implemented for better façade designs.
• Study of various compositions that are required for designing
commercial building façade.
• Overviewing of variety of context when composition is applied in
designing suitable commercial building façades.
METHODOLOGY
• Understanding of façade and its importance in
Literature study on Façade commercial buildings.
and its importance
• Understanding and analysing impacts of façade on
Literature study on public.
composition in façade and its
importance
• Importance of composition in commercial building
façades.
Analysis of various
compositions of commercial
building facades
• Various compositions and principles used in designing
a building façade and analysis of some famous
commercial buildings and streets over time.
WHAT IS A FAÇADE?

Façade – “frontage” or “face” (meaning of façade in French) Source: Wikipedia.com

It is usually the front most part of the building which gives us the functional
importance and significance of the building. The side of the building facing the streets is
given the design priority for a perfect building body.
It is the very first view of the building from streets or across the road which not
only fulfils the natural requirements of the building but also gives us the significance of
the area and cultural situation at that time.
Commercial buildings uses façade as the face for their business which helps in
attracting more people.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT IN DESIGNING A
BUILDING FACADE?

A façade tells us about the inhabitants of the building, gives them the collective
identity as a community and is the representation of latter in public.
oTo many buildings settle for standard designs that meet structural regulations might
lack any sort of character.
oBuilding façade apart from being aesthetically pleasing it should also help in
interlinking the inside and outside environment.
oWith new innovations in materials, ideas and design, a building façade can unlock a
multitude of opportunities for buildings.
oA commercial building façade will have a big impact on the flow of air and light on
a building as well as how it copes with environmental conditions.
oAdds personality & character to the building
oPlays an important role in energy efficiency
oShield against natural elements
oProvides acoustical insulation
oOffers comfort which increases the productivity
oProvide more security
oAdds life to the structure

Source: Pinterest
FAÇADE TYPES
•Based on Materials:
GLAZING
CLADDING
•In recent days, Based on ROOF types

Glazing façade Cladding façade Free form

Source: installux-aluminium.com Source: www.claddingci.com Source: chinapulse.com
PUBLIC EVALUATION ABOUT BUILDING FACADE
•The mental behaviour of public from building can be evaluated by its façade. As the
appearance of the building plays a major role in evaluating the mental behaviour.
•Clarity, complexity, friendliness, originality, ruggedness, and meaningfulness acts as
cognitive factors for evaluating the façade.

•From the previous surveys on impacts of façade, shape and design of the building
has received the highest preference among the other factors, followed by
‘coordination between old design and modern designs’, being modern designs more
favourable.
•Bright buildings over dark colour buildings, decoration of building façade is next
preference.
•Mono-colour building than multi-coloured.
COMPOSITION IN BUILDING FAÇADE
Human-based Design Principles: These principles help in providing relation between
architecture and human response to it.
•Materials
•Composition
•Scale
•Proportion
•Rhythm
•Transparency
•Articulation
•Expression
COMPOSITION IN BUILDING FAÇADE
COMPOSITION :
•Visual balance helps in achieving success in an overall building composition.
•A fundamental tool for achieving balance is the use of symmetry.
•The human perception of beauty is found to be influenced by the live of
symmetry among a personal composition.
•Psychologists ascribe that as most of the nature follows the concept of symmetry, so
this principle can be implemented in other artistic designs.
•Applied to buildings, this principle creates order within
elements of a composition.

Source: The Humane Principles of Good Buildings

COMPOSITION IN BUILDING FAÇADE
•The composition in façade taking into account the functional requirements such as
door openings, windows, sun protection, roof is essentially to create a harmonious
entity by means of good proportion, horizontal and vertical structuring.
•Materials, colours, decorative elements.
•Elements of facade
•Style and character
•Lighting

Source: India Art n Design inditerrain

COMPOSITION IN BUILDING FAÇADE
These examples shows the fundamental possibilities for the design of a façade.

 Considerations of these possibilities, not  Also while applying the deliberate

to be separated from the whole zoning, harmonious geometrical
building body, If because of a proportions have to be paid
disadvantageous or restrictive building attention to.
regulations, an unsatisfactory solution
of the façade will occur, which can be
at least partially prevent by deliberate
zoning of the façade.

 By distribution of windows in the  These can be few possibilities range

façade, a particular effect can be from a regular distribution of equal
suspended. windows to an irregular and
figurative arrangement.
COMPOSITION IN BUILDING FAÇADE
These examples shows the fundamental possibilities for the design of a façade.

 Windows can be combined in small

groups to form particular figures, or
they can divide the façade by almost
being a separate element.
 Superimposition
of different
building parts,
three dimensional
composition of the
 While windows are most important building.
means of composition, the façade
can itself be structural part of the
building. Specific parts of the
building can be exposed, whereby
the foreground and background of
the façade are determined.
COMPOSITION IN BUILDING FAÇADE
These examples shows the theme of façade figures running through vertically.

 The distribution of windows is based on  Here the windows increase in size

their axes. Similar window proportions which makes the façade appear
are reduced in size according to storey. lighter.
This motive shows the perspective of the
façade, it makes the building appear
higher, and symbolizes the need for
more light penetration into the lower
storeys of buildings in narrow streets.

 Mathematical order is achieved by  Similar to the first example but is

doubling the number of windows in not determined by the axes of the
each storey and at the same time, windows but by the grouping of
by reducing their size. Thus making windows together.
an active façade.
COMPOSITION IN BUILDING FAÇADE
These examples shows the theme of façade figures running through vertically.

 Coordination of different formats on  Casual effect of different window

the vertical axis. The emphasis lies on formats. Spatial effects of interior
the entrance and the articulation of the rooms may lead to such figuration
attic by way of a regular series of on facade.
equally sized windows.

 A projected base with regular  Single figure as the only opening

openings, allows foe the zone element in the façade, which runs
above to employ a new, through all storeys. The scale of the
independent, organization of building must be able at cope with
windows. such a monumental opening.
COMPOSITION IN BUILDING FAÇADE
These examples shows the parts of the façade along with the theme of façade.

 A regular window composition based  Clear separation into three zones.

on axes. From bottom to top increasing The ground floor with large-scale
sizes of windows culminate in a large openings, a middle area with
space top floor. windows regularly distributed and a
light skeleton storey.

 Here the sizes of the windows are  The old theme of the façade, the
dimensioned in a way that the wall main floor of a house, is
surfaces are largely reduced to emphasized here by a closed attic
piers and beams. However because zone.
the window size vary in each storey,
this cant be called as a skeleton
façade.
COMPOSITION IN BUILDING FAÇADE
These examples shows the parts of the façade along with the theme of façade.
 The exterior flights of stairs give the
ground floor a public character. The
large studio windows of the top floor
indicate a clear difference in valuation
compared with the small windows of
the intermediate storey.
 Elegant window slits are bound
together by a constructional arch,
and form a figure with the circular
windows of the attic storey.
 A large scale hall of columns
constitutes a powerful order which
can also conceal the irregular and
lively interior of the building.
 The zoning of this façade resembles
the building block principle, with its
different surfaces and window
partitions. It gives the impression of
the relatively independent storeys
being piled up.
COMPOSITION IN BUILDING FAÇADE
These examples shows the parts of the façade along with the theme of façade.

 This is an irregular façade structured

according to the interior organization
of spaces. Excellent taste can lead to
harmonious yet free design.

These examples shows complete compositions of building facades

 The base is distinguished from
the rest of the building by
having a different surface.
Because of the terraces being
cut out from the attic storey.
 The façade figure unfolds from
the bottom to the top like a
tree-top. The significance of
the individual storeys
diminishes towards the top.
COMPOSITION IN BUILDING FAÇADE
These examples shows complete compositions of building facades

 Here a portico, projects from  The façade figure tapers off

the building whereby the towards the top. Probably it is
entrance is clearly the hierarchical structure of
emphasized. the façade which suggests the
hierarchy of significance.

 A projected arcade is divided  The gate motive in front of

by gallery on the first floor largely glazed façade. The
level. A socially useful layering of the façade ranges
interspace is created which from the opening of the gate,
also gives the idea of to the light background, until
theatrical staging. finally the surrounding frame
of the building is reached.
LOOSHAUS – ADOLF LOOS
The main (rear) facade is a symmetrical, skillfully balanced composition of rectangles.
Three different zones with three different window formats.
Distribution of the windows is based on their axes.
There is a sharp contrast between the marble-lined facade used at the ground floor and the plain
plaster facade of the residential floors above.
The Tuscan columns on the street level - intended as an allusion to the portico of St. Michael's Church.
Instead of ornaments, there are flower boxes in front of the windows of the upper floors

Source: Wikipedia.com
COMPOSITIONAL TECHNIQUES FOR BETTER FAÇADE
SOLUTIONS BASED ON SM STREET, KOZHIKODE
S M Street - South Mananchira Street [commercial
street]

The street comprises of various commercial stores such

as sweets, clothes, textiles, spices and many other
historical commercial activities

The performance of these commercial buildings can be

made better by using suitable composition in building
facade
BUILDING TYPES IN S.M STREET
1 2

M.P tiled roof

Laterite wall
with lime mortar
plaster
Footpath
Road

The frontage of the shops is either separated from In double storey commercial buildings the upper storeys
the footpath by a curtain wall or by the counters in is used as a residential space. Thus the façade consists of
front of the shop. windows on the upper storeys,
BUILDING TYPES IN S.M STREET
3 4

RCC slab

Balcony Composite panels

Display boards
Curtain wall

Parking space
Road

This type consists of access balcony on the first floor which links to This type of building usually have single ownership and are showroom for a
the residential space. Thus, the façade on the first floor is recessed. particular business. As they constructed in rectangular blocks, they rely of
artificial lighting and ventilation.Parking space is provided in the front
setback.
COMMERCIAL STREET (SM STREET, KOZHIKODE)

Combination windows Cornice channel

Cornice between
storefront and upper
Display window stories
footpath
Recessed entry Sign board channel
FACTORS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A BETTER FAÇADE
SOLUTION FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

 Elements of a façade
 Style and character
 Materials
 Windows and entrances
 ELEMENTS OF A FAÇADE
Cornice – Any ornamental border or
moulding at the meeting line of the roof
and wall; which also defines the top edge
of the building.
Sign boards or Display panels –
Cornice between storefront and upper
The horizontal channel above the
stories.
storefront and below the above
storey window where the sign can
be placed.
Transom windows – windows above the
Recessed entry – The intrusion in storefront or door
the form helps in providing
sheltered transition to and from Display windows – Large window providing
the store. the view of the interior activity or goods.
Skirt board panels– The part
below the display window which
supports it. Location : S.M Street
STYLE AND CHARACTER
One of the important component in commercial building can be Architectural style and functional
character.

Implementation of special historical architectural details gives the visual appeal and mark the building
distinctive.

“A building that is made for a certain purpose should convey the message to the people through its visual
beauty”

Every building has its own specific purpose which demands the specific function, for which the interior
planning must be in co-ordination with the exterior which determines the function of the building.
STYLE AND CHARACTER
ENCOURAGED
Decorative elements can be added in the cornice, sign
boards, windows.

Historic details and materials need to be preserved.

Make sure all the new alterations must be in responsive to

the character of the building and its neighbours.

NOT ENCOURAGED
Removing or covering completely the cornices or any
other historic architectural details.

Changes that has no relation to the history of the location.

MATERIALS
The materials for storefront and upper stories can be different for different purposes.

Most of the buildings are constructed of laterite brick, wood, clay tiles. These materials offer long life
and stability for the commercial structure.

Type of material used in the construction of the building also helps in understanding the function of the
structure.

Materials of traditional style Materials of modern style

Laterite brick Lime mortar Glass

Wood Clay tiles Concrete block Composite wall panels
MATERIALS
ENCOURAGED
The original material should be repaired whenever
possible.

The replacement of the material can be made only if it

matches with the existing materials.

New materials can be complimentary.

NOT ENCOURAGED
Covering the original materials with any of the material
which might damage the historical materials.
WINDOWS AND ENTRANCES
ENCOURAGED
Use of clear glass and window allows the view to in and out of the
building.

Avoid obstacles in front of the upper floor windows.

The variations in the channel can be shown by having different window

and door types and sizes for different channels.

NOT ENCOURAGED
Removing original windows

Filling and or covering the window openings with materials such as

wood, metal or any other material.
THANK YOU