How does the Middle East fare in façade architectural and material innovation? – Construction Week Online

How does the Middle East fare in façade architectural and material innovation? – Construction Week Online

Builders and end-users alike recognise that a building’s façade is more than just appearance. A good design must also be functional, it must be energy-efficient, insulated, solid and stable, durable, easy to install and maintain, low cost as well as resistant to chemicals, fire, moisture, pests. 

A sustainable façade should strike a balance between sound, light, security, heat, air, and views, as well as provide social equality and economic viability over time. To offer a comfortable and secure environment for building occupants, a façade must perform several functions which include providing vistas to the outside and protection from solar heat gain, noise, moisture penetration, rain, and wind for the inside. 

Sustainable façades must prevent undesirable environmental impacts, such as heat, light, and sound, and provide comfortable indoor conditions with minimum energy usage. Design choices for sustainable façades will be dependent on the context and climate while at the same time minimising environmental impact and increasing the building’s performance. Sustainability aims include conserving non-renewable resources, recycling waste, and creating healthy, functional environments.