The first impression starts from the external appearance. This principle also applies to green buildings. When someone visits a building, the first thing they will notice is how the building looks, one of which is the facade.
In order for visitors to see your commitment towards a greener environment, the façade also plays a key role in energy efficiency. Facade designing including Passive Design strategy in buildings. With the right façade design, the building can significantly reduce the energy consumption without the need to make further efforts when the building is constructed.
Facade Uses for Energy Saving
For some, the facade may seem to be a decorative aspect of the building. However, the façade has other uses that are no less important, namely for energy saving. How can the facade make that happen?
● Regulates the circulation of natural light
The shape and design of the façade can be made based on the natural light needs of a building, be it to increase or decrease sunlight that leads to the building. If the building is pointing east or west —that means it will get sunlight Direct— It is important to create a façade that can reduce light. Because the intensity of light will affect the temperature and use of certain electronic devices such as lamps and air conditioners.
● Protect buildings from weather
Choosing the right material for the façade is very important because this is what will protect your building from extreme weather that may occur, such as storms, rain, or heat. However, it should also be noted that the material used can still maintain the indoor temperature. If not, then the building will still consume a lot of energy.
● Maintaining interior temperature
Another use of the facade is to maintain the temperature in the room. When it is summer, the facade should be able to keep the room cool. The same is also for the winter season. The facade must be able to keep the temperature in the room warm. If the designed facade can do this, then electricity consumption from heating or air conditioning will be significantly reduced.
● Reduce pollution from outside
Air from outside the building that is not clean can enter the room through doors and windows on the façade system that is not tight. Of course, this can adversely affect the comfort and health of building occupants. However, there is no need to worry about this anymore. The latest technology used in aluminum windows and doors is able to solve this problem. Currently, the glass panels used have also been produced for optimal thermal protection. Therefore, using many windows on the façade system to get more natural light is no longer a problem.
Eco-Friendly Facade Inspiration
After knowing the facade in terms of functionality, the aesthetic aspect should also not be underestimated. An attractive façade design will certainly make people’s eyes fall on your building. Well, here are some facade inspirations that are not only environmentally friendly but also aesthetic.
● Smart glass
Imagine a facade that can change its appearance according to weather conditions. Very sophisticated, right? Facades like this use smart glass technology, which is electrochromic glass that is able to control color to change the intensity of light and temperature entering the room. The color change in the glass is driven by an intelligent control system that uses sensors to respond to light conditions. However, you can also control it through your smartphone.
● Self-cleaning glass
Not only glass can change color according to light conditions, but there is also glass that can clean itself. Transparent coatings of hydrophilic and photocatalytic mineral materials are applied during the manufacturing process, allowing the glass to use the power of UV radiation contained in sunlight and rain to efficiently control dirt that accumulates on the outside of windows. Exposure to UV radiation provokes the decomposition of organic impurities and makes the glass surface hydrophilic. While rain forms a layer on the glass and rinses off organic impurities and mineral matter.
● Facade with plants
If the glass façade makes the building look more modern and minimalist, the facade with plants makes the building look unique and cool. This facade is made by planting various plants on the surface of the building or using aluminum panels as partitions. In addition to making the building look more attractive, the facade of this plant is also able to make the room in the building cooler and improve the quality of the surrounding air.
● Using recycled materials
If you want a more unique facade look, you can consider using recycled materials. For example, ice cream containers, plastic bottles, used ceramics, and wooden windows. In addition to contributing to protecting the environment, this facade design also makes your building stand out thanks to the uniqueness of the material.
Facade design can contribute to two things, namely maximizing energy savings and beautifying the appearance of the building. A good facade will adjust to the needs of light and required temperature. By maintaining these two things, electricity consumption in the use of lights and cooling or heating will be reduced.