Bruce Burchfield, Project Architect, had the privilege of attending two façade conferences last week: the first in Philadelphia and the second in Manhattan. In architecture, the building envelope is vital for energy efficiency, weather protection, occupant comfort, and the overall longevity of the structure. The building façade plays an integral role in the overall building envelope.
The first conference was sponsored by the International Masonry Institute and focused on the benefits of masonry façade construction. The conference was held in The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s underground expansion completed by Frank Gehry. It was inspiring to see the creative designs that are being accomplished with masonry; a material that is known for its durability, structural integrity, fire resistance, and appealing aesthetics. One interesting fact is that building owners can expect to pay significantly less in insurance premiums when their buildings are constructed of noncombustible materials, such as masonry.
The second conference focused on how classic materials are being used in inventive ways to reimagine our building facades. The underlying discussion was around the reuse of existing outdated structures and how they can be reinvented into modern, updated facilities. The Domino Sugar Factory in Brooklyn, NY is an amazing example of adaptive reuse.
Bruce also had an unexpected reunion with two Penn State classmates at the NYC conference that he hadn’t seen since graduation… 20 years ago!
Both conferences were inspirational to think of the façade as the skin of our building that is a living, breathing system that emphasizes the dynamic interaction between a building and its environment. By viewing the building as a living system, we can design structures that are more sustainable, efficient, and harmonious with their environment.
