Research Project Overview:

This research investigated the state of facades education at higher-education institutions across the United States. The objective was to identify courses focusing on facades (building enclosure systems) and analyze how these courses relate to the overall curricula, educational content, and teaching methods at various universities. The study began by identifying universities that offer facade-related courses, and by administering a survey via the Facade Tectonics Institute’s membership, the Society of Building Science Educators, and the Building Technology Educators’ Society. The survey asked participants to identify facades-related courses in their institutions, and to provide additional information, such as the course level, format, and relation to curricula. Course syllabi were also collected. The next step of the research study involved quantitative and qualitative analysis of the submitted syllabi. Most of the courses are offered at institutions located in major metropolitan areas, and a slightly higher number of courses are offered by private institutions compared to public universities. Courses are predominantly graduate-level and elective courses, indicating that the pool of students who gain exposure and knowledge of facades and facade systems in the U.S. is significantly smaller than anticipated. The findings also indicate that U.S. architecture programs typically intertwine facade-related educational content into building technology lecture courses and integrated or comprehensive architecture design studios. In order to improve the state of facade education in the U.S., it is necessary to expand course offerings that offer in-depth study of facade systems, design processes, physical behavior, structural analysis, technical detailing, materials, building performance analysis, etc. Courses that introduce emerging materials and facade technologies, new fabrication methods, as well as rapidly evolving construction techniques would greatly benefit the architectural/engineering/construction industry.

Partners:

Facade Tectonics Institute

Publications:

Aksamija, A., Brainard, G., Brown, T., and Milosevic, S. (2023). “The State of Facades Education in Academic Institutions: U.S.-Based Perspectives”, Facade Tectonics Institute.