Part Two: Architectural Design and The Façade
The façade is not only an important visual aspect of a home but also one of the most significant contributors to the energy budget and the comfort parameters of any home.
High Performance Buildings Magazine defines high performance sustainable façades “as exterior enclosures that use the least possible amount of energy to maintain a comfortable interior environment, which promotes the health and productivity of the it’s occupants. This means that sustainable façades are not simply barriers between interior and exterior; rather, they are building systems that create comfortable spaces by actively responding to the building’s external environment, and significantly reduce a building’s energy consumption.”
In residential design there are many considerations in designing the façade including the roofline, the pitch of the roof, the entryway, the setting surrounding the home, the orientation of the home towards the sun, it’s orientation in the lot, and of course the style and look of the façade.
Increasingly energy efficiency is a consideration in façade design.
What are the properties of energy-efficient façades? They include allowing daylight into a home; pre-venting unwanted solar heat from entering; storing heat within the mass of the wall; preventing heat transfer through improved insulation; preventing air or moisture from pass¬ing through the façade; and allowing natural ventilation to cool the interior.
When you are building a custom home you have the opportunity to design to a specific “use-case” for the space. For instance an owner who wants a large open space with a glass wall to enjoy a particular view. Perhaps more natural light or capturing sunlight for heat is a client request. A particular space like an office or atrium may require the maximum possible natural light, or a desired view on the exterior natural space while still providing privacy.
Custom design offers the opportunity to get the essential requirements of a home in the context of design that is appealing and consistent with the homeowners taste.
We have created a Pinterest board with Facades to inspire and inform you. Enjoy and come back as we continue to explore the architectural design process in custom home building.