Revolutionizing Facade & Fenestration Designs

BIM & Other Emerging Technologies

One of the most vulnerable aspects of building design is the façade. Because the majority of the populace is unaware of the material’s performance, they frequently misunderstand the importance of façade design, particularly in limiting or spreading fire spread. Fire safety has traditionally been overlooked in favour of beauty, energy efficiency, cost, and other factors. However, in light of current market trends, this has progressed beyond only the aesthetic aspect and now plays a larger role in light conveyance, acoustical execution, and efficacy.

It is about the universal understanding of the reality that any possible fire threats can only be mitigated when façade systems, materials, and testing are given the attention they deserve. The emphasis should be on a comprehensive approach to examining the performance of façade materials, components of façade design for fire safety, fire testing of façade materials, compartmentalization, and much more.

Façade fabrication, rooted in the manufacturing industry, has become cross-disciplinary in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry. Any conflicts in design can be identified and resolved among various disciplines and help in improving design quality. Moreover, the BIM Model has a multi-view of sectional drawings and technical drawings of a curtain wall model that creates information for other disciplines. With the evolution in BIM technology, façade designers are successfully implementing a 3D model which assists them in showcasing building data, components, material fabrication process, and cost of materials and improves the communication flow among other disciplines.

The opinions and ideas of subject-matter experts are featured in this cover story. We sought to collect their thoughts on things like façade fire safety, laws and regulations, appropriate materials, the best approach to build a fire-safe façade, and so on.

The term ‘façade’ originates from the Italian word “facciata,” referring to the exterior or faces of a building. A building’s façade serves two primary functions: it acts as a barrier or skin separating the interior from the external environment, and it creates the building’s image. Therefore, façade design plays a crucial role in architecture, particularly with the emergence of urban infrastructure and high-rise buildings.

Architectural design has seen significant advancements with the advent of BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology. BIM facilitates parametric designs, improves communication among stakeholders, and streamlines the construction process. BIM has changed façade design modules by creating parametric designs, which change all the façade algorithms and drive the façade panel shape to change, thus it helps to create different building design schemes.

The architect’s core responsibility is to meet the requirement of energy-efficient, sustainable buildings, resolve cost estimation issues and look into the shortage of contractors while constructing buildings or structures. The shift from manual to electronic drawings has revolutionized conventional design methods, especially in the field of façade design engineering.

Customized façade panel units speed up production in projects. BIMbased design delivery prevents information loss during the transition from 2D to 3D fabrication models, ensuring accurate transfer of design data for façade fabrication. 3D BIM Model aids in the transfer of design information and shares the information with construction professionals so that communication is effective and efficient and eliminates economic losses caused by a redesign in the project.

The integration of BIM with other emerging technologies such as augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) has further enhanced the architectural and façade design process. Challenges remain in the widespread adoption of BIM in the industry, but the benefits are clear in terms of improved design quality, cost reduction, and efficient communication among disciplines.

BIM has become an essential technology for the architectural design industry. The cover story of this edition brings in the views of experts in the field, Dr. Ayman Ahmed Hassan (Design & Engineering Programs Manager, AbdulRahman Abdullah Al-Naim Consulting Engineering Company (ACE)); Crisanto Fadel (Designer - Building Façade); and Emílio Rodrigues (Senior Architect, NORR Group) who have provided valuable insights into the adoption of BIM in architecture and façade design, highlighting its advantages and potential future impacts on the industry. Their expertise and experiences offer valuable guidance for design decisions in future projects.