Trendy facades of apartment buildings: a design necessity or an architect's whim?

The architectural interpretation of residential buildings is no longer based on impersonality and uniformity. On the contrary, their expression connects the historical context of the area, the character of the surroundings, and modern housing trends. The facades thus form a unique design unit and provide architects with endless possibilities to develop the concept of residential buildings.

Natural metal materials as a significant architectural element

Facade cladding materials based on metals create a strong aesthetic element in current global trends. Among their important properties are long lifespan and recyclability. A significant advantage is the low or no maintenance costs, resistance to UV radiation, and also low weight. Therefore, the investment in metallic cladding is beneficial not only for the environment but also for the future inhabitants of the building.

At the residential buildings in Park Anička in Košice, large-format ventilated aluminum panels designed to look like wood were used. Aluminum is a lightweight material and is very resistant to corrosion. Thanks to the ventilation, the facade does not overheat in summer, and conversely, heating costs are much lower in winter.

The most popular metallic facade cladding in contemporary architecture is steel Cor-Ten®. On the Jullukka residential building in Finland, it is impressively combined with concrete and bricks. Natural steel Cor-Ten® forms a protective patina on its surface that prevents further corrosion. Its color and texture beautifully change over time, which is extraordinarily expressive. It is a maintenance-free and 100% recyclable material.

The harmony of perforation and light

A well-designed residential building harmoniously fits into the existing development while also creating a visually friendly element for comfortable living. Ruukki® Emotion is a complete facade system consisting of perforated facade products and cleverly integrated backlighting. There are numerous perforation options available – from total to any custom design of art perforation. In combination with white or colored backlighting, the facade comes alive every night.

The modern apartment building Jahu in Estonia respects the surrounding urban structure not only in its form but also in its material solution. The building resembles nearby wooden historical houses both in the shape of its roof and wooden cladding. At the same time, it brings a touch of innovation, thanks to the perforated panels with backlighting. After dark, the main motif of grain spikes stands out, contributing to the bohemian atmosphere of the surroundings.

Facade panels support both classic and extravagant features

The advantage of panel systems is the simple and quick installation on a completely finished facade. Ruukki Liberta® panels are also available in various material finishes with a wide selection of colors and surface treatments. Another option is to produce them customized to the project's requirements.

Custom-made panels were also used on the facade of the apartment building in Tallinn. They resemble old coffered ceilings and, in contrast with white and black bricks, create an elegant and striking impression.

A different appearance was achieved on the apartment building in the Finnish city of Kuopio. Ruukki Liberta® panels were installed vertically with hidden fasteners. The building is hard to overlook. It represents an approach to 21st-century Finnish urban architecture: unconventionality, versatility, and interest.

In Slovakia as well, we can find an example of the use of the Ruukki Liberta® facade system on a residential building. The Axton residence in Bratislava is particularly interesting due to the choice of a pearl-colored facade that changes depending on the observer's position. The panels have a special surface treatment created by applying a final layer of two metallic colors. The resulting shade transitions from metallic gold to light gray.

Design profiles for a homogeneous appearance

In places where a regular and structured surface of the facade is required, it is suitable to use design profiles. Their production can be customized to meet the architectural requirements of the project, thanks to the option of choosing both the profile and the material.

This was the case with a residential building in Sweden. When designing the building, emphasis was placed on the horizon and the beautiful views of the surroundings. The building was intended to appear homogeneous, and therefore the steel facade profiles were also placed in the horizontal direction without visible joints and highlighted by the trim between the floors.

When renovation means more than just repair

A new facade can revitalize the appearance of a building, extend its lifespan, ensure durability, and improve the thermal insulation properties of the cladding. Energy efficiency is currently one of the most important factors in choosing a facade. For example, airtight energy panels reduce heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer. All the mentioned products also possess high fire resistance, effectively dampen noise, are not damaged by rodents, and do not provide nesting places for birds.

The Ulven Terrasse residential complex in Norway is a successful example of modernizing residential spaces. Besides replacing windows, stronger insulation, and renovating balconies, it also included the replacement of facade cladding. Architects chose special copper slats in three sizes that give the building vitality and uniqueness. This also extends the lifespan of the facade itself, which will function for another hundred years. Residents and passersby can observe the play of sunlight in the copper reflections of the building on a daily basis.

Not only apartment buildings but also family homes

Facade and roof products can also be used when designing the facade of a family home. Nowadays, maintenance-free Cor-Ten® steel or Ruukki Classic rolled roofing is no longer unusual. For designers and architects, this represents endless possibilities for combining colors, materials, and surface textures.

Get advice

To answer the question in the title, a trendy facade is now a desirable creative solution with several advantages. Are you considering the appearance of your building? Do not hesitate to contact people who have extensive experience in facade implementation. They will help you reflect the historical context and location, as well as the unique handwriting of the architect.

The international company Ruukki has long been dedicated to products and services for building cladding in the European market. If you are looking for both traditional and unconventional solutions for your building, turn to Ruukki, which has already been trusted by companies like Volvo, Samsung, or DHL.