You will gain a solid theoretical and technical foundation in façade design and engineering. From the historical development of façade technologies and system types, you will learn the reasons behind modern façade designs. Explore the various façade typologies, their applications and technologies, and the range of material options available.
Principles, Materials and Technologies of Façades
Discover the theoretical foundations behind façade design and explore the latest technologies shaping the future of the industry.
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What you will learn
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From theory to practical application: learn and understand façade systems and determine which systems and materials according to the buildings’ needs and features.
In the course, you will:
- Appreciate the historical development of façade typologies and technologies.
- Reliably identify different façade typologies.
- Recognize the different construction technologies and how they solve the façade design requirements.
- Name the different advantages and challenges that different materials have for façade application.
- Critically assess which façade system and material would be most effective in achieving the intended design goals of a façade.
From historical façade to the latest designs: learn how technologies evolved and the state-of-the-art of façade design and engineering.
- Façade History: the evolution of façade technologies over the years, through case studies starting from the trilete and masonry construction used in the ancient Rome to the contemporary unitized panels.
- Façade Typologies: discuss different kinds of façades, their strengths and weaknesses. Understand load-bearing and non-load-bearing façades, ventilated cavity and double skin façades, prefabricated systems and their implications.
- Façade Technologies: understand various technical approaches for realizing façades, and how each system solves design requirements such as watertightness, tolerances and movements, and attachment strategies. Explore integrated components such as HVAC, ventilation, PV panels.
- Façade Materials: review different materials used in façade construction and their production techniques, from timber to concrete, from ceramics to metals, from concrete to glass.
The course is led by experts from TU Delft, TU Darmstadt and Eurac Research. In addition to virtual visits, the course offers a peek behind-the-scenes at how circular design principles are applied in manufacturing and architectural firms.
Assistant professor at TU Delft
Alessandra Luna Navarro is Assistant Professor in Facade Design and Engineering at Delft University of Technology. Her research revolves around human-building interaction, in particular on human-façade interaction to enhance human experience whilst reducing resource consumption in buildings. She has been working on a wide range of different buildings and façades, from modern flagship buildings to the refurbishment of historic buildings. She has also obtained a PhD from the University of Cambridge by researching occupant-centered design and operation of façades.
Prof. Dr. Ing. at Delft University of Technology
Ulrich Knaack is professor for Design of Construction at the Delft University of Technology Faculty of Architecture, Netherlands where he developed the Façade Research Group. In parallel, he is also a professor for Façade Technology at the TU Darmstadt Faculty of Civil Engineering in Germany where he participates in the Institute of Structural Mechanics and Design.
Associate professor at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at Delft University of Technology
Marcel Bilow is associate professor at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at Delft University of Technology, where he is the head of the Bucky Lab. The Bucky Lab at TU Delft combines architecture and building technology to design innovative and sustainable building products.
Videos are available on our YouTube channel.
