The facades of commercial buildings have played a critical role in shaping our towns and cities for centuries. Notable examples of this go back hundreds of years when architects used glass to create grand and vast facade systems like the original Crystal Palace Building.
A facade defines the aesthetic, functionality, and even energy efficiency of a building, especially in the commercial property sector where larger buildings dominate.
Traditionally, in the UK at least, commercial building facade construction has been a time-consuming and weather-dependent process often plagued by delays and inconsistencies. But new and revolutionary facade technologies are transforming the construction landscape.
Today we explore the development of prefabricated facade systems and the special materials used to build them.
Constructing facades faster and smarter
In the last two decades there has been a significant increase in offsite construction. You might have seen examples of this on the TV show Grand Designs, or even in your local high street in the form of modular ‘pod’ buildings made from prefabricated room-sized boxes.
Hotel chains like Hilton and Holiday Inn are driving innovation in this area with fully prefabricated hotels popping up in London, Bristol and Manchester. The benefits are significant: an entire building can be assembled in as little as 3 weeks at a fraction of the cost of traditional construction methods.
As a result of its popularity in commercial construction, prefabricated concrete, light gauge steel, engineered timber and facade systems are now established construction strategies.
With the ability to construct facades in a controlled factory environment, at scale, and free from the constraints of weather and on-site challenges, developers and architects are able to improve project design and slash the construction timeline. Now, complex elements such as soffits, lintels, arches and chimneys, which require skilled onsite labour, can instead be manufactured offsite under controlled and consistent conditions.
Benefits of prefabricated facade systems
- Faster construction: Time is money, especially in the commercial real estate world. Prefabricated facades significantly reduce on-site construction time. By manufacturing elements off-site, projects can progress even when weather conditions wouldn’t allow for traditional construction to take place. This translates to faster project completion, earlier tenant occupancy, and higher returns on investment.
- Improved cost certainty: Traditional construction projects are often susceptible to cost overruns due to unexpected delays and material waste. In fact, a 2015 study by KPMG found that 69% of construction projects were over budget by more than 10%. Prefabrication overcomes budgetary surprises by offering greater cost certainty because the controlled factory environment minimises waste and errors, leading to more accurate cost estimates from the outset. The streamlined construction process can also reduce labour costs associated with onsite facade construction.
- Better quality control: Prefabrication takes place in a controlled environment with stringent quality control measures thus avoiding the variability often seen in onsite construction. This provides more consistent finishes, precise dimensions, and minimises the risk of installation errors. The result? Facades that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also built to last.
- Less onsite disruption: Busy construction sites can be disruptive for surrounding businesses and residents. Prefabricated facades significantly reduce onsite disruption. With most of the construction happening off site, there’s less noise, dust, and overall chaos at the project location, fostering a more positive experience for everyone involved.
- Durability and sustainability: Prefabricated facade systems can be constructed from high-performance materials and often use more advanced sealing techniques. This can lead to increased durability and contribute to a building’s overall sustainability goals depending on the chosen materials.
Designing for success with prefabrication
To ensure the success of a prefabricated facade project, upfront collaboration between architects, developers and facade manufacturers is critical. This is because a facade contains dozens of variables like:
- The materials used
- Colour and finish
- Insulation options
- Fitting and installation
- Smart features
The good news is that prefabrication doesn’t limit design possibilities. Stunning examples of prefab facade design can be witnessed in prefabricated facade systems like Modfaçade. Spanish company Butech which manufactures Modfaçade uses a range of design styles and materials to produce iconic designs in stone, ceramics, and composite finish.
A wide range of materials and aesthetics can be achieved, from traditional materials like metal panels to modern facades incorporating precast concrete, brick, or even fibre-reinforced composites. Careful detailing even allows manufacturers to create the look of stone, brick or wood using only composite materials, therefore saving on cost and reducing environmental impact.
Butech says that its prefab facades are supplied factory finished, with insulation, structures and finishes completed prior to delivery. The company also provides prefabricated anchoring systems to allow for the quickest installation possible.
Is the future of facade design prefabricated?
The adoption of prefabricated facade systems is rapidly growing in both commercial and residential construction. According to manufacturer Porcelanosa Group, prefabricated facades are now one of the most common technical solutions used by architects.
As prefabrication technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more exciting advancements. Imagine integrated building systems where prefabricated facade panels arrive pre-installed with windows, insulation, and even electrical components. This would further streamline the construction process and unlock even greater efficiency gains.
There’s no doubt that prefabricated facade systems are revolutionising the way we design and construct commercial buildings in the UK. By embracing this innovative approach, developers and architects can create buildings that are not only aesthetically striking but also faster to build, more cost-effective, and built to last longer.
Supporting the commercial sector for three decades
See Brilliance has over 30 years’ experience in providing cost-effective restoration alternatives to respraying, rebuilding and replacement. Our facade restoration services and systems include DOFF Steam Cleaning, TORC Cleaning, commercial facade and cladding restoration and restorative cleaning.
Utilising advanced systems and certified skill, our experts can restoratively clean metal, glass and stone facade surfaces to their factory finish and standard, enhancing company and property image by leaving a protected finish that is practical, aesthetically pleasing and to almost ‘as new’ condition and appearance.
Get in touch with our restoration specialists to discuss your project today.