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Architecture vocabulary · Building Elements and Structure

Facade

Meaning in architecture, with examples

/fəˈsɑːd/nounCore term

In architecture, facade means: An outer face of a building, especially the front or the side facing a street, considered as a whole with its windows, materials and details.

In Turkish: cephe

How it is used

Used for the real built surface, while elevation is used for the drawing of it. Architects design, clad, restore and refurbish facades; facade engineers deal with glass and cladding systems. Also written façade.

Example sentences

  1. The street facade is clad in local stone, while the garden side is mostly glass.

  2. The facade needs cleaning and repair before the hotel reopens.

Common collocations

  • street facade
  • main facade
  • facade system
  • glass facade
  • restore the facade
  • elevationA drawing that shows one side of a building straight on, without perspective, so that heights, openings and materials on that face can be read and measured.
  • claddingThe outer layer of material fixed to a building's walls to protect it from the weather and give it its appearance, such as stone, metal panels, timber or ceramic.
  • curtain wallA thin outer wall, usually of glass and aluminium, that hangs from the building's structure and keeps out the weather but carries no floor or roof loads.
  • fenestrationThe arrangement, size and proportion of the windows and other openings in a building's facade.

More terms: Building Elements and Structure

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