Whole Building Design Guide…the systems and assemblies of the envelope are one of the four main parts of [a] building both in terms of their physical existence and in their contribution to overall building performance. The envelope protects the other systems from harsh aspects of the outside. It also works in conjunction with the other systems to ensure a safe and benign environment for the building occupants. Thus the envelope is a gatekeeper, allowing certain aspects of the exterior into the building, rejecting some and changing the nature of others. The design of the envelope is very complex and many factors have to be evaluated and balanced to ensure the desired levels of thermal, acoustic and visual comfort together with safety, accessibility and aesthetic excellence.
Whole building design, holistic building design, and building systems integration are terms that point to the escalating importance of considering and balancing all of the myriad variables that impact aspects of building performance. The building facade system is the nexus of many of these often-competing considerations, critically impacting performance at the multiple scales of facade system, building, and urban habitat. The Facade Tectonics Institute views the facade system as the great integrator of these many variables and the lynchpin to truly resilient and sustainable buildings and urban habitat.
The intent of the Facade System Integration award is to single out facade systems that demonstrate the most considered, comprehensive and appropriate integration and adaptive responsiveness within the context of a given building project.
Coordination between the facade system design and the optimized sizing of the HVAC and mechanical systems is an obvious starting point, but such integration can extend much further. For example, functional integration can involve various dynamic, adaptive system elements, and feature automated blinds and lighting systems linked through a building management system to optimize daylighting while mitigating glare and minimizing electrical lighting. But functional integration can also involve ventilation, fire suppression, water harvesting, power generation, media messaging and more. Such integrated system designs are likely to be highly multidisciplinary and evidence deep design and delivery collaborations.
We are looking for facade systems that play a central role in facilitating this form of holistic building design.
Submissions for the Facade System Integration category will be evaluated in the overarching context of innovation and sustainability, which may include diverse considerations ranging from design concepts to project delivery strategies, supply chain management and lifecycle performance attributes.
In addition to the General Assessment Criteria, the hierarchy of consideration for the Facade System Integration Award award will be:
10% — Clarity (narrative and graphic representation)
50% — Integration
40% — Sustainability (The extent to which the integration contributes to resilience and sustainability goals in buildings and urban habitat.)
Before beginning your submission, please review the following:
Ready to submit a project for consideration? Please complete the online submission form by the deadline!