Revisiting façade design and its contribution to the urban experience in the 21st century

What is it about?

As one of the most exteriorized architectural elements, façades are significant features of the urban image and important contributors to the aesthetic and other urban experiences. However, discussions on the subject have lost relevance in academic and professional circles following arguments about physical determinism, façadism, beautification, and aestheticisation practices. Reflecting on the multiple contributions of façades to contemporary urban life, this article re-engages with the debate on façade design and the aesthetic and other urban experiences it affords from a political perspective to interrogate the impact of individualistic design practices in an era dominated by capitalist place-making.

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Why is it important?

It readdresses the facade design issue, under the conditions of 21st century urban development. Currently, architecture and urban design are dominated by technological-led and spectacular tectonics, which has resulted in the lost of the place of facades within the street wall.