Facades are much more than just an aesthetic feature—they play a crucial role in performance, safety, and environmental impact. Facades alone can account for 10-20% of a building’s carbon footprint. Given the construction sector’s responsibility to reduce carbon emissions, I want to address the professional community with a pressing question: Are we doing enough?
Harry Simpson, Facade Specialist
The Carbon Challenge
Contemporary facades are usually made out of aluminum, steel, and concrete, but these materials are negatively impactful on the environment. Aluminium, for instance, is widely used in curtain walls and cladding because it’s durable and lightweight. It is, however, a highly energy-intensive production process, which has a significant impact on embodied carbon. The industry has made progress by increasing the recycled aluminium percentage in building materials. I actively supported this move while managing the H7 Elephant Park project. At some point it worked: by using high-quality 75% recycled aluminum, we delivered the lowest-carbon façade. But I keep asking myself: where and how could I have done more?
Industry Collaboration: A Necessity, Not a Luxury
“Data is everything”—how many times have you heard it? We need it too, our field isn’t an exception. The lack of accessible, standardized data on embodied carbon for facade materials is a big deal. At every stage, designers, manufacturers, and project managers should work together to make carbon-conscious decisions. Early engagement with suppliers is crucial, as they have in-depth knowledge of system performance, the latest materials, and recyclability. Including them at the tender stage opens the door to sustainable alternatives.
Data Transparency
It is not only about providing data. It is also about its reliability. Today manufacturers are pressed to provide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) more often. However, these things cannot be changed overnight: there is still a lack of consistency in how these issues are presented and interpreted in the industry. EPDs that are clear and concise allow construction professionals to make informed decisions. Without them, carbon reduction targets become guesswork. This is one of the reasons why manufacturers must take action and provide reliable, standardized data.
Specifying for Sustainability
The tender process gives you the chance to specify lower-carbon materials. Suppliers now offer aluminum with high recycled content, and glass coatings that are more energy efficient. By reducing solar gain, heating requirements, and artificial lighting requirements, a thoughtful specification early in the design process can reduce operational carbon. There is, however, a financial challenge associated with these options, which must be weighed against the benefits of long-term sustainability.
The Green Faсade Debate
The use of green facades offers a number of advantages in terms of thermoregulation and energy efficiency, acting as natural insulators. By now, you may be wondering: why isn’t everyone using it? The answer is simple: money. Even though they contribute to biodiversity and air quality, they remain costly and difficult to implement on a large scale. However, they require regular maintenance, including irrigation and plant care. In order for green facades to become more mainstream, we need better guidance on strategies for sustainable irrigation and maintenance.
Recyclable Glass: A Missed Opportunity
Whether it involves technologies or materials, I believe we should explore more recycling opportunities. Architectural glass is one of those elements that receives a lack of attention. As a circular material, it may be recycled indefinitely without deteriorating. In practice, however, only a small percentage of building glass is recycled. The reason is simple: extraction and logistics, especially in large-scale projects. It is time for the industry to address this missed opportunity by becoming more invested in glass recovery processes and developing more efficient methods for deconstruction and recycling.
Adaptive Facades: What Are They?
The use of adaptive facades is one of the most promising trends in sustainable facade design. It sounds like the future: these dynamic systems adjust in real time to environmental conditions, optimizing energy efficiency. Photovoltaic-integrated facades, electrochromic glass, and ventilated double-skin facades are gaining traction, which reduces the need for artificial heating and cooling. Among other benefits, kinetic facades that respond to solar exposure can dramatically reduce energy consumption and enhance occupant comfort at the same time. And once again you might be asking yourself: Why aren’t they used everywhere? Same question, same answer: the cost. The good news is that these innovations are becoming more cost-effective with time. The development of such technologies may present an exciting opportunity to reduce buildings’ carbon footprint without sacrificing performance or aesthetic appeal.
Final Thoughts
Having managed complex projects, including the American Embassy in London and large-scale facade remediation efforts, I have observed the evolution of sustainability in our profession first-hand. It is true that progress has been made, but it is not sufficient. We need to encourage greater industry-wide collaboration, implement better procurement practices, and push for greater transparency in material data. Sustainability is not just an environmental imperative, but also a professional responsibility.
In the end, the question remains: How far are we willing to push ourselves to achieve real change?
