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The next step in design innovation is to find ground-breaking ways for facades to generate energy


find ground-breaking ways for facades to generate energy themselves. Solar panels have already been used to great success and it seems inevitable that research will develop new technologies for energy generation in the future.


Performance testing is paramount in facade systems, especially during the design stage. Fire safety has recently become a subject of nationwide concern, pushing for tougher legislation on building and fire safety. More accountability and new regulations will mean fire safety will be a key element when considering any facade design alongside the need for a better understanding of how buildings will operate under certain stresses, such as weather. Firms will need to adopt a holistic


approach to any project, considering the wider building components to ensure a safe and comfortable build. Pre-pandemic, ventilation was already a much-talked about topic when designing buildings, however the Covid-19 crisis, which saw people forced indoors, has brought these discussions to the fore in any planning conversation. As the need for good ventilation systems intensified, it has forced designers and manufacturers to look for better ways to create a healthy environment that safeguard a user’s health and wellbeing and we can expect future designs to incorporate elements that encourage improved air flow within the building. The facade is the main external expression of architectural intent and although we are already seeing architects and developers become more ambitious in their design ideas, new design capabilities will drive even more complex creations, with an increase in curvilinear, free-forming architecture. To conclude, the facade of the future will be responsive, innovative, and high performing and will play a crucial role in creating more sustainable buildings.


Philip West is sales director at Spanwall


Biotecture’s hydroponic living walls bring benefits for people and planet


B


ringing nature into our cities is a vital component for a sustainable


future


to help mitigate the effects of climate change and improve wellbeing. Living walls are a space efficient way to green up our urban areas and bring a host of benefits including improving air quality,


helping


mitigate the urban heat island effect and increasing biodiversity. In


addition, Green Infrastructure can


help to meet CSR targets, satisfy planning requirements, and demonstrate sustainable credentials.


Biotecture’s patented hydroponic BioPanelTM


system is the most flexible,


resilient, and low water use of any fully comprehensive living wall system anywhere in the world. A comprehensive independent engineering


assessment


reaction to fire confirms a system rating of B-s2,d0 which means the BioPanelTM


with regards to living


wall system can be retrofitted as part of a façade refurbishment and incorporated within new buildings as the integral rainscreen cladding element. The system is fully tested in accordance with the requirements for the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT) and passed all tests for weathertightness, water resistance and wind resistance, confirming its full suitability and compliance for use as a cladding material for commercial and residential buildings. BioPanelTM


combines efficient water


management with remote sensing technology, which enables Biotecture to work with


ADF08_Build Envelope Supp_Biotecture_HPAdv.indd 1 WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK


confidence in all climates. With 15 years’ experience in designing, supplying,


installing, sustainable living walls,


and maintaining Biotecture has


established itself as the go-to partner for vertical green infrastructure and they have supplied living walls on projects as diverse as 20 Fenchurch Street (The Walkie-Talkie), Wimbledon’s No.1 Court and Canary Wharf.


01243 572118 www.biotecture.uk.com 25/07/2022 14:57 ADF AUGUST 2022


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