Facade Engineering Concepts, Materials, Techniques and Principles of Construction

The building envelope is the boundary between the external and internal environments, and it is responsible for important requirements, including thermal insulation, thermal inertia, lighting, weatherproofing, load distribution, and sound insulation. In the last twenty years, façades have become increasingly complex to meet both structural and energy efficiency regulations. This book presents a selection of research contributions from international scholars and façade experts regarding new strategies, technologies and materials of façade design, and it is divided into two sections: Section 1, Materials and Techniques, which offers an overview of the main solutions and façades applications, by considering glass and opaque materials and their main characteristics. Section 2, New Technologies, Design Planning and Tools for Sustainable Design and Energy Efficiency, focuses on innovative solutions and design procedures to improve global quality, safety, and energy efficiency.