I have a problem with the LAST sentence of the first paragraph of the article. It states that "A Professional Building Designer may also design decorative facades for larger buildings."
Facades are not just decorative elements that are hung on a building. They are required by the building code ("for larger buildings") to resist wind and seismic loads. ASCE-7 outlines the required wind pressures for all components and cladding elements used on the exterior of a building, including low-rise structures (defined as being less than 60 feet in height).
In addition to resisting wind and seismic loads, proper design is essential to ensure that rain/snow will not enter the building. And, given the increasing number of locations adopting and enforcing the energy code, proper building envelop design (makeup of the assembly, percent of fenestration, etc.) is essential.
I think one of the issues is that some people think that "design" equates to "art" - and that drawing a pretty facade is all it takes. . . While architecture incorporates art, it is the science of building that sets our profession apart.
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Rosemarie Grant AIA
Program Director, Building Technology Research
State Farm Insurance Companies
Bloomington IL
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