Skin Metrics

Abstract

Building façades are key to the building systems integration necessary to realise critical health, carbon, resilience, and sustainability goals in buildings and urban habitats. In addition, façade system design and delivery may be the most rapidly developing building technology, with novel materials, assemblies and techniques introduced in the marketplace frequently. However, these developments are occurring in the long-running absence of an appropriate framework for façade system performance evaluation. There has been no general convergence on the assessment criteria nor, for the most part, on the metrics to accompany those criteria. The convergence of myriad and often competing variables that characterise the building façade mark the development of a comprehensive integrative assessment framework as a wicked problem, The lack of such a framework inhibits meaningful development and adoption of innovative façade technology, leaving aesthetic considerations to drive application and compromising the evolution of performative system behaviour. It prohibits a meaningful comparison between façade systems, or of new techniques with prior applications. Adoption of new façade technology is constrained as designers, building owners, and, most importantly, authorities with jurisdiction at the level of city government are unable to accurately value its performative contribution to occupants, to a building project, or to the urban environment. Very early efforts and thinking in the development of a comprehensive Integrative Façade Assessment Framework by the Façade Metrics Working Group of the Façade Tectonics Institute are documented here. A preliminary review of existing façade system metrics and assessment strategies reveals they are fragmented, too narrowly focused, and lack the comprehensive integration to provide an accurate evaluation. With a strong focus on energy performance in new buildings, deep and vital considerations like retrofit and renovation strategies, passive survivability, durability and service life, and resilience are often neglected entirely. We outline some new directions that begin to address these gaps and suggest a data-rich, visual framework and knowledge-sharing platform to advance progress with enhanced metrics and façade systems evaluation and comparison.

Keywords

• Façades
• building skin
• curtainwall
• building envelope
• façade performance metrics
• façade performance