facade stock + futures: evolution and speculation of the climate responsive building envelope

By viewing existing façade systems as material culture artefacts, an evolutionary analysis of form and kinetics, in addition to technique and performance, is undertaken using biological phyletic methods. Listed chronologically and by type, a catalogue of 129 precedents describes key characteristics, including date of construction, architects, location, climate, principles and techniques. The thesis identifies six primary types – shaders, storers, buffers, producers, filters and openers – and a total of 52 subtypes.

The material culture evolution analysis validates a reliance on type by architects, in form and principles, because of social learning mechanisms, the constraints of manufacturing and marketplace economics. However, the façade, as sign and symbol precipitated by climate considerations and consumerist culture, have brought rise to new paradigms in relation to semiotics in architecture, re-evaluated in this work. <br><br>Furthermore, the historical importance of speculation in architecture as a means towards imagining new possibilities for climate adaptive façades is examined.

In acknowledging this tradition, the research explores, through speculative design methods, the future responsive building façade as vignettes of text and image. Each polemic examines themes relating to the design, operation, financing and symbolism of the building envelope. In doing so, each questions how social, cultural, economic, political and environmental drivers can shape future designs, long before technical feasibility – critical in an accelerated culture defined by technological determinism.