The overall design of the facade is just as important as the choice of materials.
Urbanisation has certainly transformed Malaysian properties over the decades, from beautiful architectural enclaves bursting with personality and square footage to simple white cement blocks stacked up and scraping the blue sky above. Today, many of Malaysia's newest towering structures are making a comeback, blending architectural ingenuity with urban aspirations.
The facade, which is pretty much the exterior skin of the building, is the central component of these architectural wonders. It is the face that welcomes visitors but it also bears the heavy duty of shielding the occupants of the building from the outside elements and possible threats. With Malaysia vulnerable to tropical weather and harsh monsoons, designing facades that properly combine aesthetics with safety is crucial.
Undoubtedly, an impressive facade has its own charm. It is the silent character of a building's purpose and identity, like the first impression. For example, glass facades are now considered to be sophisticated and modern. Architects and developers favour them because of their capacity to optimise natural light and provide great views. However, using glass calls for careful consideration to ensure safety, especially in tall buildings. Although they are comparatively uncommon, incidents involving glass facade failures highlight the significance of sound engineering and strict adherence to building codes.
Past cases
On May 20, 2023, a 30-year-old apartment on Jalan Loke Yew had a wooden wall sucked out of it by a freak storm whipping extremely high winds. Another incident occurred on August 15, 2023 when a concrete beam collapsed in Kuchai Entrepreneur Park, damaging ten cars but fortunately not injuring or killing anyone. These incidents among many others emphasised the necessity of strict safety laws.
Although Malaysia has building codes and standards in place, guidelines specifically related to facades still have room for improvement. As an example, the 2007 Building and Common Property (Maintenance and Management) Act 663 delineates the maintenance obligations of building owners and managers, but particular provisions pertaining to facade inspection and repair are relatively recent.
Proper materials save lives
Although materials like glass and aluminium have a sleek and contemporary appearance, their fragility can be a red flag. The longevity of the facade is dependent on the usage of quality materials, appropriate installation techniques and consistent upkeep. Furthermore, utilising sophisticated glazing systems and impact-resistant glass can greatly improve safety.
Buildings in Malaysia are subject to soil movement, wind loading and weathering. Rainwater floods are more likely due to the intensifying effects of climate change, which are characterised by higher precipitation and stronger winds. Building materials experience expansion and contraction as a result of heat-induced stress, which is intensified by hotter heat waves. Interestingly enough, materials like lead, tin and brass experience increased inches in length in line with temperate rise. That aside, building facade cracks can also result from nearby construction and vehicular traffic.
The overall design of the facade is just as important as the choice of materials. Careful analysis of factors like wind load, water infiltration and thermal performances are necessary to reduce risks of facade failures as much as possible. To stop mould growth and water damage, proper ventilation and drainage systems are crucial. Incorporating safety features such as emergency escape routes and fall prevention systems during the design phase is also a good idea.
Constant maintenance needed
Facade safety requires constant maintenance and inspection. Mind-boggling failures can be avoided by detecting cracks, corrosion or loose parts early on. Regular and thorough inspections should be carried out by qualified professionals, while emergency response protocols should also be established to handle any incidents involving facades.
Technology has a role to play as well. Real-time performance tracking of the facade is possible with the sophisticated monitoring systems available today. Proactive maintenance and intervention are made possible by the ability of the sensor to detect changes in temperature, humidity and wind load. Furthermore, to simulate the behaviour of the facade under different conditions, building information modelling (BIM) technology will provide unrivalled perks during the design phase.
Hand in hand
The dedication to safety should go hand in hand with Malaysia’s aim of architectural excellence. Building owners, developers and architects can design and construct safe, secure structures by having a good eye for facade design, material selection, inspection and maintenance. It is critical to make research and development investments as the nation changes to advance facade technology and set even stricter safety regulations.
It is as they say, a stitch in time saves nine and to be forewarned is to be forearmed. The increasing development of high-rise structures in cities and the widespread, incessant issue of water leaks have drawn attention to the safety and upkeep of building facades. Facade inspection is essential in such prevention. While building managers and owners are not required to conduct facade inspections in Malaysia at this time, they should nevertheless take proactive steps to ensure the safety of their buildings and occupants by maintaining and inspecting their facades.
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