Welcome to the fourth volume of Sustainable Façades, a Special Issue of the
Design Strategies Magazine published by the Institute for Design Strategies
of TH OWL. Over the past two years, our Editorial Team has undergone slight
changes that we believe have enhanced the quality of this magazine. From
inviting contributors beyond our university to incorporating reviewers for quality
checks, we aim to expand our reach, engage a broader audience, and spark
curiosity across the wide spectrum of topics related to sustainable design and
construction.
In this issue, we feature contributions with perspectives from about a dozen
nationalities, developed within Germany (TH OWL, Schüco International KG,
Werner Sobek AG, DOCOMOMO) and the Netherlands (TU Delft). We continue to
extend an open invitation to other members of our academic and professional
network for future editions.
As always, we present a diverse range of articles exploring multiple aspects of
the construction industry, with a particular focus on the building envelope and its
performance in terms of building physics, carbon footprint, efficient assessment
methods, and cultural implications. In addition, as technology continues to
reshape the built environment, we acknowledge the increasing role of artificial
intelligence and robotics alongside a growing awareness of the value of existing
buildings, highlighting the need for holistic approaches that balances cuttingedge
advancements with the preservation and adaptation of our built heritage
and ancestral knowledge.
We hope this issue inspires new perspectives on the intersections between
research, policy, and practice, and how they shape the future of our cities to
ensure environmental protection, economic growth, and social justice.