Architects about facades

We are used to perceiving façades as something static and eternal, but in reality, they are the most changeable part of architecture. The frame and load-bearing walls can stand for centuries, but the face of a building changes with the tastes of the era.

An interesting paradox: the façade is both the most enduring (what remains in the memory of the city) and the most ephemeral (what is easiest to change). When we design a new façade, do we do so with the thought that in 50 years it might be redesigned to suit a new fashion?

Sometimes I catch myself wondering: how would a 19th-century architect react if he knew that his elegant stucco decor would be covered with aluminum panels in the 1970s? Would he be glad that the building continues to live, or horrified by the new aesthetic?

Maybe we should design façades with their future transformations in mind? It’s like writing a letter to the future, knowing that it will inevitably be edited. But I hope some phrases will remain unchanged.

3Many of our clients confuse pilasters with columns. And that’s perfectly normal! After all, most people don’t deal with architectural terminology on a daily basis.

A pilaster is a flat vertical projection on the wall surface that imitates a column. Essentially, it is a “ghost column” embedded into the wall. It has all the same elements — base, shaft, capital — but it only protrudes from the wall by a third or a quarter of its width.

Historically, pilasters served not only as decorative elements but also had a structural function — reinforcing the wall at points of highest stress. In classical orders, pilasters often “supported” an entablature or a pediment (seems like a good topic for the next explanatory note).

So when are they appropriate in modern architecture? It’s an interesting question we often discuss with colleagues.

Here are a few situations where pilasters can be a great solution:

— When renovating or stylizing historical buildings, pilasters help preserve the authentic character of the facade, even if the interior space is fully modernized.

— In modern minimalist projects, pilasters can be used as a subtle way to add rhythm and vertical articulation to a facade without overloading it with details. We recently completed a project where very shallow pilasters made of light concrete created a barely noticeable play of light and shadow on a monochromatic facade.

— Pilasters can help visually correct the proportions of a building. For a tall narrow house, horizontal articulation and wide pilasters create a sense of stability. Conversely, for a squat building, vertical pilasters add a sense of height.

— An interesting modern technique is using contrasting materials for pilasters. For example, on a plastered facade, pilasters made of clinker brick or natural stone become striking accents.

Have you noticed pilasters on buildings in your city? They are much more common around us than one might think at first glance.

I am more attracted not to the buildings themselves, but to the spaces between them. These pauses, intervals, "architectural breaths" between volumes.

In modern design, we often forget that architecture is not only what we build but also what remains around it. Ancient architects seemed to understand this better than we do. Think of Greek temples—they were never crowded together; there was always space for air, for the gaze, for contemplation.

When I work on a facade project, I often think: what will this house "say" to the neighboring buildings? What kind of dialogue will arise between them? Will it be a fruitful conversation or a cacophony?

Interestingly, many clients want to "maximize the use of the plot"—as if emptiness is unproductive. Yet, meaning is often born in that very emptiness. Just like in music—pauses between notes are just as important as the notes themselves.

Perhaps our studio could design not only facades but also the spaces between them. It sounds unusual, but why not? After all, can’t we design silence?

Have you ever noticed the intervals between buildings in your neighborhood? What do they tell you?

Sorting through a folder of samples, I realized that I had unintentionally created my own spring palette for facades. Soft gray plaster combined with dark wood no longer seems as interesting to me. Right now, I’m in love with the combination of light stone with metal inserts.

Yesterday, I proposed an unusual solution to my clients: white brick and Corten steel panels. At first, they were skeptical, but when I showed them a visualization and photos of similar projects, they got excited. The contrast of textures and colors creates a dynamic feel that many modern houses lack.

I've also noticed that the trend for natural textures is making a comeback. Right now, I’m trying to incorporate gabions into a project as decorative elements—these are mesh structures filled with stones. They create a bold and striking effect. I’ll share my client’s reaction with you later.

Yesterday, I passed by a new private house in a historic district. A house like any other—modern, minimalist, with large windows. But surrounded by century-old mansions, it looked like an alien at a village fair.

And this made me reflect on a deeper question: do we have the right to impose modern aesthetics on a historically established environment? Or perhaps every building should engage in a dialogue with its surroundings, respecting the architectural language of the place?

On the one hand, architecture has always evolved, and in any historic city, buildings from different eras coexist. On the other hand, there is the concept of context, the spirit of the place, genius loci, which one can either respect or ignore.

I believe the answer lies not in blindly imitating historical styles nor in boldly rejecting the past, but in a thoughtful dialogue with the context. One can use modern materials and technologies while still considering the proportions, rhythm, and scale of the surrounding buildings.

On March 8, we want to remember those who, despite all obstacles, managed to make an invaluable contribution to the art of creating spaces—the women architects whose ideas and projects have changed our perception of modern architecture.

For a long time, architecture was considered a traditionally male profession. However, many talented women not only paved their way in this field but also left behind a legacy that continues to inspire new generations of professionals.

Zaha Hadid – The Queen of Curves

Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid became the first woman to receive the Pritzker Prize (the architectural equivalent of the Nobel Prize). Her creations are recognizable for their flowing lines, bold shapes, and innovative use of materials. The Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, the Guangzhou Opera House, and the London Aquatics Centre literally defy gravity and traditional ideas about how facades should look.

Gae Aulenti – The Master of Restoration

Italian architect Gae Aulenti gained fame not only for designing new buildings but also for her mastery in transforming historic structures into modern spaces. Her work in converting the former d’Orsay railway station in Paris into the Musée d’Orsay is considered a benchmark for how to preserve a building’s historical value while adapting it for new functions.

Kazuyo Sejima – The Aesthetics of Minimalism

Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima creates buildings that appear weightless and almost transparent. Her works are distinguished by their clean lines, carefully designed lighting, and harmonious integration with their surroundings. The New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York and the “Glass Pavilion” in Toledo are examples of how expressive architecture can be achieved using minimalist means.

Elizabeth Diller – Architecture as a Social Statement

Elizabeth Diller and her studio Diller Scofidio + Renfro are known for projects that go beyond traditional architecture and become unique social statements. The High Line park in New York is a striking example of how an abandoned railway overpass can be transformed into a vibrant public space that reshapes an entire neighborhood.

Frida Escobedo – The New Generation

A representative of the younger generation of architects, Mexican Frida Escobedo works at the intersection of art, architecture, and social projects. Her Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London, created from simple materials—ceramic tiles and concrete—demonstrates how local traditions can be reinterpreted in the context of contemporary architecture.

Why Is It Important to Know About Women in Architecture?

Studying the works of female architects not only expands our understanding of possibilities in facade design and spatial organization but also provides new sources of inspiration. Many of these outstanding professionals have brought a unique perspective, attention to the details of everyday life, and unconventional solutions to complex challenges.

In our studio, we often turn to the projects of these and other talented women architects, finding ideas in them for creating facades that combine functionality, aesthetic expression, and respect for the surrounding context.

Happy International Women’s Day! May your architectural inspiration come from the most diverse sources.

Hello everyone, this is Tatyana! Today, I want to share a story that started as an ordinary meeting with clients but turned into a real detective investigation.

The Story of One «Beautiful»

A new client, a typical story: they built a house and now need a «beautiful facade.» At first glance, it’s a standard request. But let me tell you how one phrase, «make it beautiful,» turned into a full-fledged architectural project.

First Meeting: What I Heard

• «We want something unusual» (a classic phrase)
• «Like everyone else, but it should stand out» (a favorite paradox)
• «Modern, but it shouldn’t go out of style» (another one)
• «Within a reasonable budget» (which hasn’t been defined yet)

What Was Behind These Words

After two hours of conversation, it turned out:

«Unusual» meant:

• The house should be light-colored
• Definitely large windows
• But «not too glassy»
• And the neighbors shouldn’t be able to peek inside

«Like everyone else, but standing out» translated to:

• Natural materials
• No flashy colors
• Interesting architectural details
• «Guests should say wow, but not think we’re showing off»

«Modern, but timeless» turned into:

• Minimalist forms
• Classic proportions
• High-quality materials
• Thoughtful zoning

My «Interrogation» Tools

Over the years, I’ve developed my own method for uncovering a client’s true desires:

I start with lifestyle questions:

Who lives in the house? What does a typical day look like? Where does the family spend most of their time? What are their hobbies?

Then move on to practical aspects:

How often do they host guests? Where do they park their cars? Do they have pets? How do they use the yard in different seasons?

And finally, I dive into details:

Favorite materials. Disliked colors. Examples of houses they like/dislike. Memories of places where they felt comfortable.

What We Ended Up With

After many clarifying questions, «make it beautiful» turned into a clear technical brief:

Materials:

• Light-colored travertine for the main surfaces
• Accents of thermally treated wood
• Graphite-colored metal elements
• Large windows with smart glass

Planning Solutions:

• A covered barbecue terrace with a garden view
• A separate exit to the relaxation area
• A private pool area hidden from outsiders
• A convenient driveway to the garage

Special Requests:

• Automatic window shading
• Integrated facade lighting
• An irrigation system for vertical greenery
• Heated sections of the terrace

And you know what’s most interesting? During the process, the client admitted: «We didn’t even know what we wanted until you started asking questions.» Moments like these make my work truly special.

Lessons I Learned

• Don’t rush to suggest solutions. Let the client talk.
• Ask unexpected questions. «How do you celebrate New Year’s?» can reveal more about a home than direct architectural questions.
• Show options. In our studio, we have a rule: always present at least three concepts, even if we are sure about one.
• Document everything. I write down even fleeting comments—they often contain the most important insights.

Right now, we are in the project development phase, and I can already see how the initial «make it beautiful» is turning into a well-thought-out architectural solution.

Hello, this is Maria, and today I want to talk about rustication, an architectural technique that I consider to be one of the most underrated in modern construction. I have used rustication in more than 30 projects over the past 12 years, and each time it has opened up for me in a new way.

What rustic is and why it fascinates me

Let me start with a personal confession: when I first started working, rustic seemed boring and old-fashioned. I mean, what do you think, a relief masonry with deep joints! But the more I worked with this technique, the more I fell in love with its possibilities.

The rustic — is not just a decorative treatment of stone. It is a whole architectural language that can tell you more about a building than any other element of the facade. The depth of the joint, the texture of the stone, the rhythm of the masonry - all this creates a unique character of the building.

To dive deeper into the topic, read our article on rustication.

My favorite historical examples

Palazzo Pitti in Florence — is a personal favorite of mine. I remember the first time I saw it in person - those huge rough-hewn stone blocks are literally hypnotizing! The lower floor is made as brutal as possible, while the upper floors are more restrained. This technique creates an amazing sense of reliability and strength.

Palazzo Medici Riccardi shows how different types of rustication can be used on the same facade. The first floor is brutal diamond rust, the second floor is more relaxed, and the third floor is almost smooth. It's like a symphony where each floor plays its part!

My favorite modern examples are

The new headquarters of the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris: here, rustication is used in the glass panels! A stunning example of how a classic technique can be reinterpreted in modern materials.

Cooper House on Butikovsky Lane by Sergei Skuratov: a real master class in modern interpretation of rustication. The facade is finished with a complex masonry of clinker bricks, where the alternation of horizontal and vertical elements creates an expressive relief. Particularly impressive is the way in which the architect has played with the corner of the building, using rusticated masonry to create a plastic transition.

Practical tips from me

Over the years I have developed a few rules for using rustication:

• Proportion matters
• For private houses, I recommend blocks no larger than 40-50 cm in heightу
• The depth of the joint should be proportional to the size of the block (usually 2-4 cm for medium-sized blocks)

Materials and textures

• Natural stone: the most expensive but also the most spectacular option
• Concrete: an excellent alternative for modern projects
• Plaster: a budget option, but requires skill in execution

Where to use

• Basement and ground floor: a classic that always works
• Accent walls: create a focal point
• Separate elements: portals, window frames

Common mistakes

• Overdoing the rustication. Some people cover the entire facade with rust, from the foundation to the roof. It's like wearing an evening dress to the beach - too much!
• Inconsistency of style. I recently saw a minimalist house with massive rustication in a classic style. It's like wearing sneakers under a tuxedo.
• Wrong proportions. A shallow rust on a large building or vice versa is like the wrong clothing size.

The rustication is not just a decorative technique, it is a powerful tool in the hands of the architect. It can make a building monumental or light, traditional or modern. The main thing is not to be afraid to experiment!

Architects and engineers are actively working to push the limits of timber construction, and while wood was once considered a material only for small buildings, it is now capable of surprising. Thanks to advanced technologies such as CLT (cross-laminated timber), timber structures are becoming strong, fire-resistant and applicable even for high-rise construction.

The potential of wood as a material to replace steel and concrete is enormous.

For example, wooden structures are easier to transport and install, which reduces time and labor costs on the construction site. The material's lightness and malleability allow for the creation of molds that would be difficult and costly with concrete.

According to researchers at Wageningen University and Research Center in the Netherlands, wood is an excellent choice for buildings up to 60 meters high.

After this height, the benefits of wood start to diminish compared to traditional fossil-based building materials.

Carbon footprint and environmental benefits

The biggest advantage of wood in construction is its environmental friendliness. Concrete and steel production is nearly one-third of the world's carbon dioxide emissions, while wood construction, on the other hand, not only does not add CO₂ to the atmosphere, it “traps” it. Wood absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows, and it stays there as long as the wood is used as a building material. As a result, a single wooden building can offset the carbon footprint of several concrete or steel structures at once.

Growing and using wood requires far less energy than the extraction and production of traditional materials, doubly reinforcing wood's position as a sustainable choice.

Challenges yet to be solved

• Fire resistance. Although wood can be made more resistant to fire, its behavior in fire remains a serious problem, especially for high-rise buildings. For such projects, it is common to use layers of CLT that protect the internal wood components and provide a certain level of fire resistance. However, fire safety standards for tall timber structures are still emerging and each country is developing its own requirements.
• Weather and pest resistance. Humidity can be the enemy of wooden buildings, as prolonged exposure to water can lead to rotting. Applying protective coatings and regular maintenance solves this problem, but it adds to the cost of operation. Wood can also attract insects, which requires antiseptic treatment.
• Building codes and standards. Unlike steel and concrete, wood is just beginning to become the norm in high-rise construction, so many countries do not yet have strict standards for such structures. This hinders the development of wooden high-rise construction, as investors and developers cannot be completely sure that such buildings are safe.

How far can we go?

На сегодняшний день уже существует несколько высоких деревянных зданий, которые по своей высоте To date, there are already several tall wooden buildings that approach the height of traditional skyscrapers. For example, Mjøstårnet in Norway, an 18-story wooden building with a height of 85.4 meters, is considered the tallest wooden skyscraper in the world. And recent designs promise to go even further, showing that limitations are a matter of technology, not material.

What does the future hold?

In the future, timber construction could be the basis for green cities. Due to the renewability and easy recyclability of wood, many cities are considering it as a key material for sustainable construction. As CLT and other technologies continue to improve, wood can become even stronger and safer, enabling ever higher and more complex structures to be built.

Wood as a building material thus has enormous potential. It offers a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel, making it possible to build sustainable, stylish and practical buildings that can form the basis for the cities of the future.

In a world where technology is developing at a rapid pace, architecture is not left behind. How does the evolution of facade materials affect the appearance of modern cities and what challenges does this pose for architects and property owners?

Tradition vs Innovation: the search for balance

Despite the emergence of new materials, traditional solutions are still relevant. Stone, brick and wood are still widely used in facades, but now they are often combined with modern materials. For example, a natural stone facade can be complemented with glass and metal elements to create a unique architectural look.

Energy efficiency as a priority

Today, one of the key factors in choosing facade materials is their energy efficiency. Modern facade systems not only protect the building from external influences, but also actively participate in regulating the microclimate inside.

• Ventilated facades: allow you to significantly reduce heating and air-conditioning costs.
• Photovoltaic panels: integrated into facades, turning buildings into mini-electric power plants.
• Smart glass: changes its properties depending on the intensity of sunlight, optimizing energy consumption.

Environmental awareness and sustainability

Care for the environment has become an integral part of modern architecture. This is also reflected in the choice of façade materials:

• Recycled materials: the use of recycled plastic or metal in façade panels.
• Biodegradable composites: experimental materials that do not pollute the environment over time.
• Plant facades: vertical gardens not only improve aesthetics, but also help clean the air in cities.

Technology at the service of aesthetics

Innovative materials allow architects to realize the most daring ideas:

• Dynamic facades: with the help of movable elements, a building can “change its facial expression” during the day.
• LED integrations: turn facades into huge screens for media installations.
• 3D printing: allows the creation of unique facade elements with complex geometries.

Challenges for today's architects

• Durability vs Innovativeness: How can we ensure the durability of new materials for which we do not yet have long-term data?
• Cost of implementation: Innovative solutions are often expensive. How to convince customers of their feasibility?
• Regulatory framework: Legislation does not always keep pace with technological progress. How to work with new materials within the existing regulations?

The evolution of facade materials continues and we are on the threshold of new discoveries. We may soon see facades that can adapt to climate change or even self-repair after damage.

As an architectural studio, it is important for us not only to follow these trends, but also to critically evaluate their applicability to each specific project. After all, the main task of an architect is to create buildings that are functional, aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for people, regardless of the materials used.

What do you think? What innovations in the field of facade materials seem the most promising to you? Leave your comments in the social networks.