Facades determine visual identity, character, and expression of architecture. The design and enchanting exteriors of a building impart a character to it and is a huge parameter for building performance. Building facades lie at the convergence of the outward and inward environment; forming an integral part of the building. They are the most difficult to design since the perception of iconic and technologically advanced facades is changing frequently. Besides technology, materials like metal, glass, concrete etc., used for the building skin are an integral yet singular aspect of the façade design.
SURFACES REPORTER spoke with Architect Sumit Dhawan, Founder &; Principal Architect to share his views on Metals in Facade. Read on.
It’s often seen that whenever an architect is talking about metal facade, it is always correlated with commercial or institutional architecture and few of the examples which will come to our mind will be The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao by Frank O Gehry done in titanium, Riverside Museum by Zaha Hadid or maybe The Sage Gateshead in UK by Norman Foster but no residence done in metal will come to our mind and if the same is proposed in a residence by an architect, most of the clients’ apprehension will be, “I hope it won’t look commercial”.
The facade combines attributes of both appearances as well as superior performance in a manner, unlike any other building system. Ar. Sumit emphasizes on the use of metal facades in residences due to the extremely beneficial properties of metal. Aesthetically speaking, metal offers a unique modern rhythmic aesthetic to complement any building. Easily bent & configured to the specific design, it can be used as a lightweight decorative element or as a structural component in buildings. Metal roofs and wall panels can also be curved to create a unique and dynamic building appearance, hence amplifying its versatility. Not only can metal withstand harsh weather environments, but it can also resource depletion due to its recyclability.
Being an eco-friendly entity, metal minimizes energy use, promotes sustainability, and invites innovation and creativity in terms of design. The concept is fast catching up in India but the changes go beyond skin deep alterations or a facelift. Apart from aesthetics, they also offer better functions. Elaborating on the materials used for metal facades, Ar. Sumit shares how metal cladding encompasses a plethora of different materials, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. The choice of material will be influenced by a number of project-specific factors, including desired aesthetic, climatic conditions, chosen structural system, the nature of adjacent materials, and the construction budget. The most common material options for metal cladding are galvanized steel, aluminum, stainless steel, zinc, copper, titanium, etc.
Designers are researching and experimenting with new and complex façade and fenestration technologies. Along with the materials that furnish the look and feel of a building, technologies applied to facades are also changing. Investing in technologies like BIM allows designers distill options down to a set of criteria that meet the aesthetic ambitions of the project and its tactical requirements, ensuring that these are met with optimized environmental parameters.
There has been a slow but very perceptible shift from the use of traditional masonry towards the use of compelling automation in the façade and fenestration. Motorized shades, switchable windows that modulate daylight and solar heat transmissions, model predictive controls for optimized performance End-user comfort, satisfaction, and acceptance of automated façade systems are the various ways automation is incorporated in facades. These tools enable designers to explore the forms, real-time, and derive key insights into the thermal, daylight and solar performance informing decisions pertaining to the building orientation, solar shading, glazing, etc, and also save the cost. Thus, metal facades combined with the right dose of technology can uplift the exterior of spaces multiply their utility.
Keep reading SURFACES REPORTER for more such articles and stories.
Like Surfaces Reporter on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and Instagram | Subscribe to our magazine | Sign Up for the FREE Surfaces Reporter Magazine Newsletter
More on Metal facades:
A Fascinating Metal Facade by BIG
Movable Steel & ETFE facade
Facade made of Gold for this Vietnam Hotel