Evaluating advanced facade systems for commercial buildings

Proponents of energy efficiency and sustainability in the built environment have always understood the importance of the facade as a key element for a building to achieve these aims.  In recent times the multiple roles played by the facade in providing natural light, enhancing visual amenity and improving thermal comfort has come to the fore.  This is in no small measure due to improvements in technology being achieved at low costs.  A number of international and local buildings have demonstrated the effectiveness of a facade to resolve aesthetic priorities against performance requirements. These buildings stand apart from others in part because of the level of detail in the resolution of the facade, and it’s integration with the other building systems.