20 results

  • Developments in Gridshell Design

    In 1959 Heinz Isler challenged the world of concrete shell design by proposing a series of shapes for shells that were very different from what most …

  • Novel Techniques for Facade Optimization

    Complex freeform architectural enclosures are becoming increasingly popular and easy to model and design with the help of modern computational tools.…

  • Optimized Green Wall

    A Catmull-Clark algorithm (used in 3D computer graphics for smoothing polygon surfaces) was used to create a unique design for an over 208ft by 30ft …

  • Passively Actuated Systems

    Kinetic or responsive facades have been developed to improve buildings' daylighting conditions while mitigating energy consumption. Still, these faca…

  • Facade Tectonics 2022 World Congress

    The Facade Tectonics Institute's biennial World Congress, hosted October 12-13, 2022 in Los Angeles, gathers the built environment’s most influential players to discuss advancements revolutionizing the design and delivery of the building skin.

  • Hardened Facades Effects on Structural Systems

    To ensure the safety of U.S diplomatic personnel overseas, the U.S Department of State (DoS) has developed facade retrofits capable of resisting high…

  • VR For Daylight

    Daylighting is often an important component of architectural design and heavily influenced by a building’s facade and enclosure systems. Unlike many …

  • Call for Posters: Facade Tectonics 2020 World Congress

    We are pleased to announce that for the first time, the Facade Tectonics Institute will include a poster presentation at their 2020 World Congress. The poster presentation will serve as a graphic representation of each poster author's research and findings.

  • Glazed Spandrels

    Recent years have seen an increased use of insulated glazing units in spandrel applications to visually blend the appearance between the vision and s…

  • Solar Reflection Mitigation

    Glass by nature is a reflective material, and it is well-known and documented that issues of glare can occur due to solar reflection. This phenomenon…

  • Daylighting Post-Occupancy Evaluation Study featured image

    Daylighting Post-Occupancy Evaluation Study

    Daylighting is a key strategy to energy efficiency and improved occupant comfort, health, and productivity in buildings. However, providing desired a…

  • Rethinking Building Skins

    Building skins play a pivotal role in architecture. Other than the aesthetical and architectural aspects, facades are key to the climate performance,…

  • End-of-Life Challenges in Facade Design

    In recent decades, there has been increased attention to reduce the operational energy performance of buildings. Stringent legislation on building en…

  • Façade Systems and Embodied Carbon

    Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology used to quantify the impact of building construction supply chains on the environment in terms of measur…

  • Undulated Glass Self-shading

    The research is structured around complex optical effects of undulated glass and coatings that exhibit high reflectivity, especially at higher incide…

  • Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Heritage Façades

    With the developments in production, industrial facilities lost their function and were abandoned over time. The most frequent and often the most sus…

  • Renewing Historic Facades

    As the first phase of a $4 billion dollar, 180-acre, 60 building government preservation project in Washington DC, this case study reviews the envelo…