Facade retention is a approach of construction rehabilitation to bring changes to interior of the construction framework. Advantages of facade retention in construction construction is discussed.
Lack of open sites to bring new buildings in the town and the cities as a part of development are often aggravated. It is hence found necessary for the developers to focus on the existing buildings to find a source for accommodation.
The changing demands of the society and the commerce have made many of the old buildings redundant for reconstruction. Such construction even though continues to provide service have become obsolete.
If the old buildings have a strong architecture and framework; a redevelopment is made possible.
The redevelopment can be carried out in varying degrees. They can be a least drastic option called the ‘low key’ rehabilitation which include retention of all the building finishes as well as the services.
Small changes are only made to the construction in this method. Or the redevelopment can be carried based on the most drastic option; i.e. the total demolition, which will be followed by the construction of the entirely new construction.
Facade retention as the name says, it retains the facade of precious buildings and brings changes to the interior of the frameworks. For those buildings, whose status lies in the exterior view only, the method of facade retention as a method of redevelopment can be applied.
The procedure involves the complete demolition of the construction’s interior and erecting a new framework behind the retained facade.
Fig.1: Facade retention construction carried out; The interior of the framework is completely reconstructed through steel construction
This approach does not follow certain advantages that are gained by the low key rehabilitation. Facade retention forms a drastic form of construction rehabilitation. They are:
The building of new buildings behind the facades of the historic or precious buildings is found to be economical and functional. The advantages of facade retention are: This method is, in turn, reuse and conserve the older buildings.
Insurance companies, society buildings, banks and other financial institutions demand to have their buildings to be attractive especially, prestigious historic buildings. They are ready to spend money to purchase such buildings or to get it in the lease.
The construction value hence will increase, when the modern type of accommodation is provided behind the historic facade. The retained facade will satisfy the need of user “exterior view” and the interior rehabilitation provides the effective working environment.
As stated before, the facade retention compared to low key rehabilitation approach is expensive. But there are chances for facade retention to get certain cost through financial aid.
This financial aid won’t be available for all kind of facade retention projects. Certain projects where retention of historic buildings is a concern, or on projects where more job opportunities are a factor; there will be a provision for financial aid.
For development, the planning permission is required, as per Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The statement that “work for the maintenance, improvement or other alteration of any building, being works which affect only the interior of the building that does not materially affect the external appearance of the building”, will not be taken as a development and hence does not require any kind of planning permission.
Thus, if there is no kind of change in the exterior structure of the building, the developer need not need any kind of permission.
When the provision of additional floors is given, the edges or associated suspended ceilings can conflict with the existing window openings. So, such design aspects must be taken care. The facade retention scheme will help in the insertion of additional floors, bringing more space and accommodation.
The ministry of town and country planning in 1948, introduced the concept of Plot ratio control. The plot ratio that is maintained is 3:1. This concept is to keep a control over the floor areas that are constructed, which must be limited to three times the area of the site.
The method of plot ratio control helps in the reuse of existing buildings as it will control the size of new buildings. The main purpose behind brings plot ratio control is to limit the construction heights that are constructed in towns and cities so that the surrounding amenity and their development is not impaired. Reuse is promoted rather than demolishing and replacing.
Many buildings are made obsolete due to the increasing demand for the sophisticated interior environment. The facade retention is the best solution for all those buildings that are outdated.
One of the examples is large textile mills in the north of England, old factories and warehouses, older office buildings and churches. These mentioned buildings are attractive in their architecture and structurally strong, that it will turn out best by using facade retention.
Areas where the construction’s facade brings an architectural style or the period, the facade retention approach is best suited. The value of architecture is maintained with the help of facade retention.
In facade retention, there is a complete transformation of interior facilities. Sometimes the interior facilities provided extra cannot be taken by the existing interior construction.
For example, an existing building might have a floor that is constructed by timber. The new utility will be a conversion to an office interior. Sometimes the incorporation of new office equipment cannot be supported by the timber floor.
There is a situation where complete replacement of the interior would be necessary i.e. the facade retention. In these situations, the existing floor must be either supported by steel or concrete.
For those buildings, whose exterior have goods value but the interior is not secure for fire regulations, the facade retention is necessary. The provision for emergency exits and other protection considerations may not be available in old buildings. So, complete alteration in the interior must be enabled, without affecting the interior.
The need for an exterior of high architectural and craftsmanship that is achieved only in historic buildings, along with an interior with fully modern, air conditioned and spacious accommodation; is achieved through the facade retention method.