29 results

  • Why SKINS?

    Here’s the thing about the building SKIN: It is utterly unique in the built environment in separating the interior and exterior environments, balancing attributes of both appearance and performance in the process. It’s the gateway to resilience and sustainability goals in urban habitats.

  • Spotlight on Research: R&D and Innovation in Building Skins

    Research is an essential part of innovation. Our industry has seen an increased interest in research over the last fifteen years, driven by the multifaceted challenges facing our profession—environmental concerns, increasing complexity in building design and construction, necessity to improve...

  • Fenestration Challenges

    The May SKINS newsletter focuses on fenestration, that is – windows, curtainwall, storefront, glazed doors and skylights. There are very few structures that are built without these elements, not just because they are so crucial for occupant health and well-being.

  • Next normal: Advanced composites for a changing industry

    This issue of SKINS will attempt to introduce you to composite materials in an accurate, useful and fairly in-depth way. But it’s only an introduction; it’s a start but by no means a rigorous exploration of the full potential of this remarkable material technology.

  • Carbon crisis: The embodied carbon challenge

    The focus of this issue of SKINS is on embodied carbon -- the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with materials and construction processes throughout the whole lifecycle of a building or infrastructure.

  • Bridging the Gap Between the Facade Industry and Diversity

    This newsletter is different from what you usually expect from SKINS. We are talking about human connection, communication, language, and broadening our understanding of how we move through the world and evolve with the new information we receive. How do these aspects relate to the AECO Industry?

  • Stop F*cking Around – Build Our Zero Carbon Economy Now

    To avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis, we urgently need to reduce carbon emissions now. But that's not enough! This original article for SKINS by Drew Shula is a veritable manifesto on the why and how of climate action for all of us.

  • Surfing Uncertainty

    We are all swimming in the wake of Covid-19. There are signs that things are slowly beginning to open up, although serious concerns remain among health professionals that governments, under increasing pressure to restart the economy, may be acting prematurely.

  • Crucial Conversations of Diversity & Inclusion

    In architecture, the façade is often the defining aspect of a building’s appearance, establishing the building’s public persona. From an engineering perspective, the façade is an assembly of building components with a critical impact on a range of performative metrics.

  • World Congress 2020: A Home Run!

    Facades Month and the World Congress, long delayed and virtually conducted, is now in the rear-view mirror with some of us still recovering from the experience. It was an intensive undertaking. And I tell you this, my friends: it was stupendous!

  • Going Viral: Engaging in the age of C-19

    As March rolled in, we were steamrolling toward Facades Week: LA! and our 3rd World Congress. We were excited; registrations and sponsorship were running far ahead of past events and we were expecting record-breaking participation. Then C-19 raised its ugly head and we all know the rest.

  • Virtual World Congress? Bah, humbug!

    I’ve heard a little of this from some people and it bugs me! We are going to have the best World Congress event in the history of mankind! The prospect of taking FTI’s signature World Congress event to a digital platform is nothing but opportunity for the Institute. Let me tell you why