The spectacular technological development of façades has introduced innovative solutions whose terminology and conceptualization are confusing.
The diverse origin of the different façade systems has led them to be identified by their main characteristics without a global framework to place them in context. While some façade systems owe their name to the format (e.g. panel façades), others are identified by their behaviour (rain screens) or the relationship with the main structure (curtain walls).
As systems evolve and become more complex, this lack of taxonomic order makes it more and more difficult to understand the solutions.
