Facade screens are a very popular feature in modern architecture, and these five inspiring screening ideas from buildings around the world are proof why they continue to be preferred by architects and designers.

Woodform Architectural lists out their favourite facade screen designs to spark your imagination today.

Dear Jingumae Building, Japan

A modern facade screen conceals a 25-year-old office building, sets it apart from neighbouring buildings, and has now become a part of the company’s branding. When using larger architectural screens, space the battens further apart, and place them away from the facade to create a visual interest and an illusion of depth, as it did with this project.

Honoré de Balzac High School, France

This building’s facade screen showcases the beauty of a mixed finish, confirming that designers should never be restricted to using only one colour on a modern facade. Based on a concept to display a strong and contemporary identity in the urban space, the screening uses colours to offer a luminous framework of schooling and creates great visual interest with a unique personality.

BLKB Bank Expansion, Switzerland

A large aluminium facade screen opens up the two-level entrance for pedestrians and floods it with light. Designers can experiment with batten spacing and size to influence not only light, but also the atmosphere created within a space.

Circa Gallery, South Africa

Inspired by nature and all things natural, this gallery screen has been conceptualised as a modern facade with a timber look to emulate the warmth. This has been achieved without actually using timber – materials in brown or bronze can also be used in varying tones to very easily replicate the same warmth. The harmony created by these elements evokes a sense of vibrant playful architecture.

Campus Parking Garage Project, USA

Multi-level car parks are not really known for their visual appeal; on the contrary, they can often be an eyesore for the surrounding landscape with boring structural barriers. In this case, the designers used large architectural screens with just the right spacing to create warmth cost-effectively, while also breaking up the facade to allow natural light into the structure. The end product sits nicely with the neighbouring parkland.

Image: Circa Gallery, South Africa