façades

A façade, sometimes spelled facade, is the exterior face of a building. In architecture, the façade is the designed outward expression of the structure, its form, materials, and decorative elements. It addresses climate, urban context, and symbolic function, and often serves as the primary public interface with the street.

Façades can be structural, with walls that bear loads, or non-load-bearing skins such as curtain walls or ventilated panels that hang on a frame. Common configurations include load-bearing façades, framed or curtain walls, and double-skin systems. Materials range from traditional brick, stone, and stucco to glass, metal panels, terracotta, and timber.

Historically, façades have been principal carriers of architectural language, reflecting evolving styles from classical and Renaissance orders to the ornament of the 19th century and the transparency of modernist and contemporary designs. In modern practice, the façade also functions as a climate and daylight strategy, influencing energy performance, acoustic control, and indoor comfort while shaping urban identity.

Maintenance and regulation are key considerations. Façades require regular inspection for moisture, movement, corrosion, and seal failures. Heritage façades may be protected and subject to restoration guidelines. Building codes and standards address fire safety, wind loads, thermal performance, and durability, guiding design, fabrication, and maintenance of exterior envelopes.