Facades exert influence on achieving superior aesthetics

Anish Motwani, Principal Architect & Interior Designer of Anish Motwani Associates, discusses the importance of facades in any construction.

Facades are an essential part of any structure.

A well-designed façade can define the entire building structure. The front portion of a structure is referred to as the façade. It is the first thing noticed by the visitors. Also, it is vital to influence their feelings when entering the building. A well-designed facade can make or break your business, so it
deserves all your attention. Not just for aesthetics, understanding the basics of facade design will give a better understanding of how different elements interact with each
other in creating that magical final appearance for your building.

Reasons for doing a Façade Lighting

There are many reasons for doing a facade. It’s the best way to enhance your property value. Facades have an impact on attaining higher aesthetics. This is where facade lighting comes into play. Illuminating facades with lights can transform a gloomy building into a real eye-catcher as it highlights the architecture, emphasising key building
features.

Glass and Aluminium in the Facade

Today, laminated glass and aluminium have become extremely popular for façades. Laminate glass is a durable and versatile glazing material that offers ultraviolet (UV) ray protection and sound insulation. At the same time, aluminium can be extruded into a delicate and precise shape, making it ideal for forming window sections.

Glass is a remarkable material, but its functionality is significantly enhanced when processed or altered to provide added intrinsic capabilities. The overall performance of glass elements in a building can be further enhanced when they are designed to be part of a complete façade system. The glass façade protects the internal structure from solar radiation but, at the same time, allows for daylighting.

Lighting in façade

Lighting is commonly seen today in any façade, be it brick, concrete, stone cladding, marble cladding, glass, aluminium, etc. Every building’s first impression is made by its façade. The only parts of a building that are exposed to the public are its walls and windows. Facade lighting improves the appearance and security of a building by allowing owners to illuminate their premises.

There is widespread acceptance today that lighting makes buildings safer, cleaner, more attractive, and more energy efficient (mainly when LEDs are used).  Modern architectural plans are embellished with various facade designs and lighting that create a vibe. The facade lighting highlights the construction and core features of a building. It complements the building’s overall charm and adds a glamorous finishing touch.

The best example of lighting is the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai. The tiny LED lights installed on the sides of the tower window in plastic strips blend perfectly with the façade. The LEDs make a large screen, forming a composite image of a photo or video played on the laptop. With this gigantic screen, the Burj Khalifa hosts daily shows.

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