New facade systems

Abstract

Recent trends in facade design have developed around the use of singular materials: aluminium, steel, concrete, fabrics and timber. With the introduction of digital technologies for both design and fabrication, and the accompanying link between them in CAD/CAM, there are greater possibilities for more complex components, assemblies and building forms. While complexity in itself is not necessarily a useful quality, the greater interdependence of components in a building, with a multi-functioning role assigned to building assemblies ensures that building structures and envelopes are working ever harder with less material used