Emerging building technologies and their impact on facade design

Abstract

This study examines historical construction methods in which emerging innovative materials and building techniques have influenced the facade design. It investigated three case studies of iconic facades, through their contextual background, key design theories, and influential models that have contributed to advancements in building design. Across a century, the Prudential Building, envisioned by Louis Sullivan in 1896, the 860–880 Lake Shore Drive Apartments, designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1949, and the Lloyd’s Building, crafted by Mike Davies in 1986, emerged as pivotal players in propelling the advancement of facade construction methods. Analytical-description techniques derived from historiographic and theory based research served as the methodology for analyzing these case studies. The results pinpointed influential guidelines that pave the way for future trends, including concepts like anatomical transparency, structural clarity, and performative design. These trends have become feasible due to the introduction of novel materials and innovative building techniques. The analysis conducted in this study facilitates a better grasp of the key elements that shape facade construction, particularly in the context of emerging technologies.