From October 8-10, 2024, the College of Architecture + Planning at the University of Utah hosted the renowned Facade World Congress, organized by the Facade Tectonics Institute (FTI) and the School of Architecture. This international congress is a forum to discuss and showcase cutting-edge advancements that are redefining the design and performance of building enclosures. This year marked a historic first: previously held in Los Angeles, the congress found a new home in Salt Lake City, a decision that underscored the growth of Utah’s influence in architectural and construction innovation.
FTI, a non-profit organization, leads the industry in promoting advancements in facade design, science, and technology. By encouraging research, educational programs, and collaboration across sectors, FTI’s mission is to drive innovation in high-performance building enclosures that contribute to environmental sustainability. FTI’s membership spans architectural and engineering firms, manufacturers, contractors, academic institutions, and individual professionals worldwide.
A notable presence at the congress was Professor Ajla Aksamija, Immediate Past President of FTI, who has been an FTI Board Member since 2019 and served as Vice President in 2020 and President from 2021 to 2023. Professor Aksamija played a pivotal role in bringing the congress to Salt Lake City and welcomed over 250 international attendees from academia, government, and the Architectural/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industry.
The congress featured two distinguished keynote speakers: Christopher O’Hara, Founding Principal of Studio NYL and Director of Facade at Skins Group, and Geoffrey Thün, Professor of Architecture and Associate Vice President for Research in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts at the University of Michigan. Their presentations inspired attendees, emphasizing new directions in facade performance and innovation.
The conference program included three parallel sessions featuring over fifty peer-reviewed papers, with topics spanning facade design, sustainability in the face of climate change, materials innovation, modeling and analysis, and facade education. Two special panels also explored critical issues: addressing climate threats through facade performance and overcoming obstacles to adopting high-performance facade systems.
An Expo Hall in the Bailey Gallery at CA+P displayed innovative materials and systems from sponsoring manufacturers. The space also featured exhibits of past winners of FTI’s Vitruvian Honors & Awards, which celebrate global excellence in facade design and delivery. Local architectural firms joined the exhibit, showcasing exemplary projects from Utah and the region. A “book nook” featured recent publications on facade design, engineering, and technology, offering attendees access to the latest knowledge in the field.
The congress concluded as a resounding success, with attendees leaving inspired and appreciative of the vibrant setting at the University of Utah. The College of Architecture + Planning is honored to have hosted this prestigious event and looks forward to continuing its partnership with FTI in advancing facade research and education in the years to come.
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More details on the event can be found here