Polycarbonate can form a lightweight translucent building envelope. Its value is often the way it admits diffuse light while giving the wall a continuous appearance. It is available in different sheet and panel constructions, and should not be described as a universally fireproof or earthquake-resistant facade. In facade design, selection depends on the complete system…

Terracotta is a fired-clay material used in architectural cladding in different shapes, colours and finishes. A terracotta facade is not one standard product: panels, tiles and shaped elements have different fixing and installation requirements. In facade design, the material should be selected together with the wall build-up and its construction details. Surface, colour and format…

Visual communication in architecture is the way form, proportion, colour, material and spatial relationships guide perception. A building communicates through the arrangement of its elements before any explanatory text is read. In facade design, openings, solid surfaces and repetition can establish hierarchy and identity without requiring every element to attract equal attention. Symmetry, balance and…

An unusual facade can make a building recognisable, but its architectural value depends on more than visual surprise. These four examples use scale, repetition, curved form and structure in different ways. For facade design, the useful question is how a strong idea connects to the building’s purpose and physical construction. Kansas City: a bookshelf for…

Parking layout design combines vehicle spaces, circulation and pedestrian access. Fitting the largest number of cars into a floor plate is only one concern: drivers must enter, manoeuvre, open doors and leave without obstruction. Requirements vary with location, use and capacity, so the applicable building and permitting rules should be established before dimensions are adopted….

Green space contributes to the experience of a building and site rather than acting as planting added after construction. A residential courtyard, villa garden, public landscape and planted roof have different requirements. Begin with use and environmental conditions. Landscape design connects planting with paths, seating, levels, water and shade. This article introduces shared steps while…

Swimming pool design brings together the shape of the water, construction, equipment and maintenance. A pool can improve the experience of a home, but it needs a running budget and a care plan as well as construction funding. Establish whether the pool is private or public, who will use it and for which activities. Requirements…

Here, duplex means one home arranged across two levels linked by an internal stair. It may be a detached house or an apartment within a larger building; this article does not use the term to mean two separate dwellings. Two levels allow different arrangements, but success depends on the household’s needs, the stair position and…

Light changes how we read volume, colour and texture and how a room is used throughout the day. A room can remain dark despite a large window, or become so bright that glare interferes with everyday tasks. Good lighting is not simply more light. Begin with orientation, the sun’s path, surrounding obstructions and room depth….

Brick has a long presence in Iranian architecture. It can support a contemporary elevation or recall local building traditions, but the material alone does not determine a style. Proportions, openings, bond patterns and the relationship to the street shape the result. In facade design, appearance and performance need to work together. An elevation is part…