NEW FACADE FOR OLD BUILDINGS
In recent years, massive urbanisation has brought with it a great number of challenges and cities have built many new buildings at an increasing rate, which has undoubtedly posed a challenge for the renovation of old buildings. This is especially true for the renovation of old urban residential facades. In my opinion, the very good thing is that designers nowadays do not just demolish old walls, but consider preserving parts with historical and cultural significance. This not only saves resources, but also beautifies the urban environment, which is significant for urban development.
Fig.1.0. by Huangyun Zhou in 2022, Manchester（Islington Square – FAT）
The building in the picture above is the one I saw in Manchester, located in the Islington Square designed by FAT.I really like the façade design of this building, very interesting façade，this design is distinctive and makes the whole area dynamic.
I believe that the most important aspect of the process of renovating old residential facades is the social resources, as we have developed our cities too quickly, resulting in a shortage of resources, and the facade renovation process gives us the opportunity to improve this. The need for an economical society and the protection and use of social resources is an important trend in the renovation of urban buildings.
Fig.1.1. Façade renovation options
Imagine being in a modern street and having an area of houses with mouldy and broken facades. Transforming a façade does not mean destroying a traditional meaningful element, but rather preserving a good part of it and enlarging it through design.Designers are increasingly aware of the importance of character when it comes to design. What makes a good makeover? I may not be able to give a standard answer, but there is no doubt that good design must be appropriate to the site and that there must be elements that are only appropriate to the place where they are designed and not feasible to put anywhere.
In my opinion, it is an interesting direction of research on how to renovate facades while preserving the traditional culture of local characteristics and using all recyclable resources. With the rapid development of the world’s economy and policies, people’s material life has been satisfied to a great extent and they have started to pursue spiritual needs, and this is also true for the beautification of old urban building facades. In the process of renovation, people are no longer singularly concerned with aesthetic needs; traditional culture, local characteristics and sustainable development have become the new hotspots.
References:
1.http://www.fashionarchitecturetaste.com/2006/11/islington_square_1.html
