Historically, the material advantages of aluminum have resulted in its widespread application as curtain wall framing. But amidst the 21st century push for increased energy performance, aluminum is also characterized by problematic thermal properties and a high-embodied energy profile.
Metal-framed glazed enclosures define contemporary architecture. But as our 20th century building stock continues to age, the restoration, rehabilitation and replacement of underperforming facades has created a specialized field of physicists and preservationists.
As global temperatures continue to rise, researchers are examining the building envelope’s impact on climate-specific guidelines to create a more sustainable built environment.
From gothic masonry to the sculptural building facades of today, exposed structural surfaces are often the most defining element of architecture. Increasingly, however, designers sit at a nexus of these aesthetic considerations and performance-driven design.
Dr. Helen Sanders has donned the mantle of leadership as President of the Facade Tectonics Institute. Dr. Sanders replaces Mic Patterson, the Institute’s inaugural President since its founding.
Patterson is a co-founder and former President of the Institute, and accepted this posting after passing the mantle of presidency to President Elect Dr. Helen Sanders.
Augsburg University has announced a new curtainwall engineering compact program designed for the architect or engineer practicing internationally...
Architecture students from Philadelphia University took five of the top ten spots in the building Healthy building(s) competition. The student competition was conducted as a precursor to an upcoming conference...
Attendee survey results are in for the recent Facade Tectonics Forum: Chicago! with 100% reporting they will attend another event and recommend FTI events to others, and 96% reporting that speakers and presentations met or exceeded expectations.
Healthy buildings were explored in a recent conference in Germany. Hosted by Schuco International, participants from 18 universities, representatives from research institutes, and political and business leaders shared a spirited 2-day exchange of ideas.
Fundamentals of Facade Technology: Jeff Vaglio, a proud Facade Geek and lifelong learning proponent, reports on a hands-on industry/academic collaboration at USC. Education is a core mission of the Facade Tectonics Institute, serving both academia and the building profession.
As an industry, we talk a lot about collaboration but the walk, not so much. This ceramics workshop is a stellar example of industry/academic/professional collaboration and worthy of the highest praise. We need more of this!
The recent Forum— Outside the Lines: Building Facades Redefine Urban Living in NYC —hosted by the Ornamental Metals Institute of New York was a rousing event that featured what is certainly among the best speaker programs ever organized by the Facade Tectonics Institute.
Performance attributes are gradually eclipsing those of appearance as people-centric and zero-impact design comes to dominate practices of buildings and urban habitat. Doug Noble has a message for those interested in preparing for a leadership role in the emerging future of the built environment.
Drawdown is an inspiring new effort to manage atmospheric carbon and the resulting climate impacts. This brief reveiw discusses the book, the movement, and the potential.
What does an engineer do? An engineer imagines. What are your sources of inspiration? Mic Patterson remembers Peter Rice and discusses his enduring legacy.
A design-build class at the University of Louisiana explores the territory of the “tiny-house.” Professor Geoff Gjertson describes the 216 square foot MODESTEhouse and shares his personal experience of living small.
A small team of digital designers at the Schüco Virtual Construction Lab (VCL) in NYC is developing a new way for clients to experience and evaluate facade products. The VCL will be demonstrating the technology at the conference in Los Angeles on March 12-13.
Mic Patterson unpacks his crystal ball and looks ahead to the forces that will shape buildings over upcoming decades. Expect some surprises down the road…
The Architectural Glass Institute (AGI) of Philadelphia, Pa., sponsored its second annual Architectural Glass Student Design Competition in January, where third-year Jefferson University architecture students competed to design glass learning pods.