The word facade comes from the French word “façade”, which means “front”. A facade is a building’s exterior, as opposed to its interior or structure. The purpose of facades is to provide protection for the occupants of a building and make them feel comfortable in their surroundings by providing an attractive view from the outside. In addition, facades can also be used as a way of expressing identity through architectural styles or materials used on the exterior walls of buildings.
In this post, we will explore some examples of contemporary facades made with glass and concrete materials that have been designed by architects around the world today
Types of Facades.
- Traditional facades are the most common type of facade. They’re made from brick, stone, or concrete.
- Contemporary facades are more modern and sleek in appearance. They may be made from glass, steel, or aluminum panels that can be moved around easily to allow for natural light to enter the building interior at different times of the day.
- Organic facades feature curves and arches that resemble natural forms such as trees or flowers (think Frank Gehry).
- High-tech facades use advanced materials like fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) panels that are lightweight but durable enough to withstand harsh weather conditions like hurricanes and earthquakes without being damaged too much by them either!
Materials and Techniques for Facades.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common materials and techniques for facades.
Brick and stone:
- These are traditional building materials that have been used for centuries, but they’re still popular today because they’re durable, easy to work with, and come in many different colors and textures. They can be used on their own or combined with other materials such as metal or glass to create unique designs. Brick is generally more expensive than stone because it takes longer to make; however, both can be recycled if they need replacing at some point in your home’s life cycle (for example if there’s damage from fire).
Metal & Glass:
- A combination of these two elements creates an elegant look that works well with modern architectural styles such as Brutalism or Deconstructivism – though it may not suit every house style! This type of facade works particularly well when paired with timber cladding around windows because this creates a contrast between lightness inside versus heaviness outside which helps create visual interest within your property’s exterior appearance overall.”
Design Considerations for Facades.
Scale and proportion:
- The size of your facade should be in proportion to the building it’s on. If you have a small building, then a large glass wall might look out of place. But if you have a larger building, then a smaller facade might make sense.
Color and texture:
- You can use different textures to add visual interest to your facade–for example, adding wood panels or stone cladding will give the impression that multiple materials are being used in one space (which there may not be). You could also use color as an accent; for example by painting only certain parts of the wall with bright red paint instead of using only white glass panels throughout the entire surface area.
Pattern and rhythm:
- Patterns help create interest without overpowering people with too much information at once–they’re like artful distractions from everyday life! They also help break up large expanses so they don’t feel overwhelming or monotonous.
Light & Shadow:
- Because light passes through transparent materials such as glass or plastic sheeting differently than opaque ones like brick walls (which block light), this means that certain areas will cast shadows onto other parts.
Glass Facades.
Glass facades are a popular choice for commercial buildings, as they allow for lots of natural light and provide an elegant look. Some many different materials and techniques can be used to create glass facades, but some of the most common include:
- Glass panels.
- Glass walls.
- Curtain walls (panels made up of several layers).
Concrete Facades.
Concrete is a versatile material, and it can be used to create a wide range of facade styles. When you’re considering your options, keep in mind that concrete isn’t just for modern buildings–it’s also popular in traditional architecture.
Concrete facades can be made from any type of concrete (including fiber-reinforced), but they typically fall into one of two categories: cast-in-place and precast panels.
- Cast-in-place concrete is poured directly into place on site. This method allows for more customization than precast panels because it allows for different shapes and patterns.
- Precast panels are created offsite using molds that are then assembled to form the final facade. They’re often cheaper than cast-in-place because they require less labor during construction time. However, they may not offer as much flexibility when designing your building’s exterior look.
Examples of Glass and Concrete Facades.
The following examples illustrate how glass and concrete facades can be used to create dynamic, modern buildings.
Glass Facade:
- The facade of this building is made up of large panels of glass that allow light to enter the space. The glass panels are supported by steel beams, which are visible through the gaps between them. The effect is a dynamic combination of transparency and solidity that creates an interesting visual experience for passersby on the street below.
Concrete Facade:
- This building features a concrete facade with vertical lines running down its length; these lines appear to move as you walk past them because they’re created using different colored pigments in each layer of concrete mix (the lighter colors represent thicker layers).
Advantages and Disadvantages of Glass and Concrete Facades.
Glass and concrete facades have their advantages and disadvantages.
Cost:
- Glass is more expensive than concrete, but the cost of installation can be offset by the fact that glass panels are lighter than concrete blocks. This means that you’ll need fewer materials to build your facade with a glass façade, which will save you money on labor costs as well.
Durability:
- Concrete is more durable than glass because it’s stronger and less likely to break under pressure or impact (e.g., if someone walks into it). However, if you want to add some flair to your building with colored panels or transparent ones that let light through from inside your building then this may not matter much since they won’t be exposed directly outdoors anyway!
Maintenance:
- Both materials require regular maintenance such as cleaning off dirt/dust buildup over time so they don’t get too dirty looking after a while.”
Conclusion.
In conclusion, glass and concrete facades are a great way to add a modern touch to your home. They can be used in conjunction with other materials or as an accent on their own. The possibilities are endless!