Leveraging Technology To Create Sustainable & Eye-Catching Facades & Fenestration

As architecture continues to evolve, integrating advanced technology into the design and construction of façades has become a game changer. The focus of the industry has shifted to creating sustainable solutions to ensure that not only are buildings structurally aesthetically pleasing, but also functional, energy efficient and convenient for residents. To achieve this goal, architects and designers are increasingly relying on modern software and tools that facilitate the design of complex, high-performance façades. In this cover story, we will dive into how these digital solutions are transforming façade design concepts, customization, and usability. We will also explore the role of design software in promoting heat ingress, glare, and natural light. Here, you may discover how these tools create comfortable, energy-efficient interiors and get to learn the important role of parametric design and automation in creating modern façade designs that are visually appealing and functionally superior. How are new technologies like interactive media facades and automated design processes revolutionizing the building design landscape? Read here about the intersection of design, technology, and sustainability to create the iconic building envelopes of the future.

The Role Of Technology In Designing Sustainable And Visually Appealing Façades And Fenestrations

Ar. Nayan Shah, Founder and Head Architect of Palindrome Spaces, believes that façades designed with sustainability and functionality in mind enhance the visual appeal of a building while maximising utility and lowering energy consumption. He explains, “They reduce a building’s carbon footprint, improve indoor comfort, and create a harmonious relationship with the environment. Healthy and more productive rooms are the by-product of fenestrations and façades that maximise natural light and ventilation.” Shah utilises tools such as Cove.Tool and IESVE for analysing thermal performance, sun shading, and energy efficiency. For daylighting studies, tools like DIALux and Radiance are employed to strike an optimal balance between glare suppression and natural light. “Using Rhino and Grasshopper, one can create complex geometries that adapt to environmental conditions and yet astonish the observer,” he adds.

Ar. Ravideep Singh, Associate Director at Creative Designer Architects, agrees that technology plays a pivotal role in façade design. He notes, “The emergence of AI-driven Building Management Systems (BMS), insights from multi-layered analytical data cycles, and robust IoT networks has transformed how we approach building design.” Singh explains that these tools translate analytical data into actionable strategies, optimising façade-defining elements such as component weightage, assembly loads, insulation, and ventilation. “Predictive maintenance, informed by sensor data such as occupancy and daylight sensors, further enhances the efficiency and functionality of façades,” he opines.

Ar. Sahil Tanveer, Founder of RBDS and the AI Lab, asserts that Building Information Modelling (BIM) forms the foundation of any data-driven, AI-assisted design process. “It’s not just a tool but a mindset – a way to organise knowledge, integrate workflows, and create a shared language between designers, engineers, and data,” he explains. Within this framework, façades transcend their structural roles to narrate stories of climate, culture, and intent. He elaborates, “Revit, paired with plugins like Insight and Green Building Studio, enables precise simulations of light, heat, and energy efficiency. Tools like FenestraPro optimise glazing and shading to balance aesthetics and performance, while Autodesk Forma helps assess energy and carbon impacts early in the design phase. For daylighting, Daysim and LadyBug map solar patterns to design façades that invite light while reducing glare. Additionally, standalone tools like ClimaPlus and cove.tool empowers smaller practices to achieve sustainable results efficiently.” He emphasises that computational tools like Rhino + Grasshopper amplify the architect’s ability to simulate and optimise designs at scale, sharpening intuition rather than replacing it.

Ar. Kedar Undale, Principal Architect at Kedar Undale Design Studio, shares insights on integrating generative AI tools with façade design, highlighting their visual potential. He explains, “AI tools like Mid Journey are popular for generating architectural façades through text prompts, leveraging latent space to reproduce data as pixel information. For greater design control, I prefer ComfyUI, a local installation resembling Grasshopper3D’s interface, which supports features like ControlNet for edge detection and depth mapping.” While generative AI excels at visual creation, it lacks integration with sustainability parameters. “My methodology employs a hybrid approach—initial designs are generated using ComfyUI, followed by parametric modelling in Rhino3D, allowing climatic analysis tools to evaluate context. Parametric scripts then iterate designs to craft sustainable solutions,” he explains.

Ar. Nitesh Kumar, Freelance Architect, concurs with the importance of advanced tools in creating sustainable and visually appealing façades. He states, “Software like Rhino with Grasshopper for parametric modelling, Autodesk Revit for BIM-based designs, and EnergyPlus for energy performance analysis are indispensable. These tools integrate advanced simulation features for solar shading, thermal performance, and material efficiency, helping to balance aesthetics with sustainability.”

According to Ar. Richa Gupta, Lead Architect and Brand Strategist at Studio TAB, believes that modern design tools help architects balance efficiency, aesthetics, and sustainability. BIM tools like Revit streamline coordination, while automation software like Rhino allows rapid design iterations. Visualisation tools such as Lumion and Enscape help refine aesthetics, and generative design uses AI to create unique solutions. Sustainability is supported by energy analysis tools like IESVE and material optimisation software like Tally. Cloud platforms like BIM 360 improve collaboration, while VR/AR enhances immersive experiences. In India, tools integrate local materials and climate, aligning with sustainability standards like ECBC and IGBC. She explains that tools such as Climate Consultant for site-specific climatology analysis and Autodesk Revit for BIM enable architects to incorporate sustainable practices throughout a project’s lifecycle.

Ar. Navaz Falee Bilimoria, Senior Sustainability Consultant and India Team Lead at Susnomics, UAE, believes that façades today are designed not just for aesthetics but also with a focus on the environment and occupant well-being. He highlights how advancements in façade materials, including high-performance glazing, dynamic shading systems, and sustainable cladding options, have broadened design possibilities while addressing energy efficiency and environmental impact. He emphasises, “Façades are just as critical, if not more so, than the overall massing and volume of the building in influencing energy efficiency, daylighting, and thermal comfort, and should never be an afterthought.” She advocates for the early integration of simulation tools, such as energy modelling, CFD simulations, and daylight analysis, to test various design scenarios and refine solutions. This ensures that façades are visually striking and contribute to high-performing, sustainable buildings.

The Role Of Design Software And Tools In Minimising Heat Ingress And Glare, While Ensuring Optimal Natural Light And Ventilation

Ar. Shah explains that reducing heat infiltration and glare is critical to creating comfortable interiors. “Glare from natural light causes discomfort and lowers productivity, increasing indoor temperatures and the demand for cooling, which further leads to environmental degradation. Simulation software like IESVE models thermal conditions, providing insights into how materials, placement, and orientation impact heat flow. This allows designers to reduce heat gain or loss, resulting in energy-efficient designs.”

Ar. Shah also highlights the role of tools like Radiance and DIALux in daylighting analysis. “These tools ensure maximum natural light is available while controlling glare. They simulate sunlight exposure and help architects optimise window size, shading, and positioning to enhance comfort and reduce energy consumption.” Additionally, he notes that CFD simulations help analyse airflow patterns, improving natural ventilation and reducing reliance on mechanical cooling systems.

Ar. Singh agrees, noting that the building façade must be customised to address site-specific climatic challenges like temperature fluctuations, wind pressures, and seismic forces. He opines, “Façade material selection should consider energy requirements and life cycle impacts. An intelligent façade is essential for harmonising the interaction between indoor spaces and the external environment. A thoughtful design reduces reliance on artificial ventilation and lighting while enabling natural ventilation when weather conditions permit.”

Ar. Singh adds, “It is also crucial to evaluate the façade’s interaction with the broader ecosystem, mitigating issues like bird strikes and glare. This can be achieved through precise fenestration design and treatments. For example, in the Max Super Speciality Hospital project in Vaishali, the east, west, and north façades were designed to maximise natural daylight, enhancing interior quality.”

Ar. Tanveer believes that comfort transcends physical conditions and embodies harmony between light, air, temperature, and human connection with spaces. “When sunlight enters a room, it should transform and shape moods, balancing daylight with shadows, warmth with ventilation, and stillness with air movement. Tools like cove.tool and IES Virtual Environment quantify what we sense intuitively, refining window placements, shading systems, and a building’s response to the sun’s movement.”

He further notes that tools like ClimaPlus provide insights into airflow, allowing architects to design façades that breathe naturally, connecting interiors to the outside world. However, he stresses, “Comfort is not achieved through mechanical precision alone but through the art of creating spaces that invite people to linger and feel alive.”

Ar. Undale shares insights from his project, Rotating Radiations in Belagavi, which showcases how computational tools can balance thermal comfort and aesthetics. “Using Ladybug within Grasshopper3D, we calculated solar radiation on façade panels and adjusted their rotation accordingly. Panels with high radiation were closed, while those with less radiation remained open or semi-open. This strategy resulted in a 21% reduction in internal heat gain while maintaining visual appeal.” He explains how evolutionary solvers like Galapagos refined the design by minimising heat gain and maximising outdoor visibility. “This method demonstrates how designers can integrate environmental performance with aesthetics and cost-efficiency, adaptable to various façade designs.”

Ar. Kumar notes that extensions like Ladybug and Honeybee enable precise environmental analysis. “These tools optimise façade positioning, materials, and geometries to reduce heat ingress and glare while enhancing natural light and ventilation. Combining these tools with AI-driven algorithms ensures adaptive and climate-responsive façades.”

“Software solutions are crucial for optimising building performance, allowing architects to simulate daylighting, thermal comfort, and wind resistance for efficient, sustainable designs. Here’s how:

• Daylight Analysis: They optimise natural light, reduce glare, and minimise artificial lighting.  
• Thermal Comfort: They stimulate the temperature and material impacts to improve comfort and energy efficiency.  For example, Double-skin façades for better insulation.
• Wind Resistance: They assess the wind pressure and airflow for stability and energy optimisation.  For example, the usage of windbreaks for coastal cities.
• Integrated Simulations: They combine multiple performance metrics for holistic design decisions.  For example, Testing façades for net-zero energy buildings.

They have a host of benefits, such as enabling one to make Informed decisions and being cost efficient. 

In terms of Indian architecture, tools like Climate Consultant address diverse climates and integrate vernacular elements, ensuring compliance with GRIHA and IGBC standards.

These tools further help architects create high-performance, sustainable designs.

Ar. Richa Gupta, Lead Architect and Brand Strategist, Studio TAB“

Design software and tools are essential for creating comfortable interiors, enabling precise analysis and optimisation based on geolocation, climate data, and site-specific parameters such as sunlight, wind, rain, UV, and air quality, according to Bilimoria. These tools help achieve the fine balance in window-wall ratios needed to minimise energy consumption (eQuest, IESVE), while maximising daylight (ClimateStudio, Cove.Tool, Dailux) and ventilation (Simscale). They also guide decisions on parametric elements for shading placement, louvers, fins, and overhangs, along with façade orientation and glass types. With rapidly changing climates, Bilimoria notes that historical data has become less reliable, and many building performance analysts are shifting to “future climate files” or “predicted weather data” to ensure today’s designs remain resilient for the future. However, while simulations provide valuable insights, he stresses that they must align with on-site realities. Theoretical results can differ from actual conditions, and Bilimoria emphasises that successful designs reconcile predictive modelling with real-world observations.

Advanced Tools Addressing The Challenges Of Complex Façade Designs And Installations

Ar. Shah explains, “Intricate façade designs often incorporate complex geometries and advanced materials, requiring meticulous planning and execution. Tools like Rhino and Grasshopper enable architects to explore parametric models and dynamic forms. Once the conceptual stage is complete, software like Revit in BIM is employed to detail the façade, ensuring precise coordination of structural components and materials. For visualisation, tools such as 3ds Max and V-Ray simulate how the façade interacts with light, weather, and the environment, providing an accurate representation of the design. During construction, Navisworks aids in conflict detection, ensuring all components are aligned correctly before installation. Moreover, CATIA is used to engineer and manufacture complex façade components, such as custom glass panels, ensuring seamless integration between the design and its construction. This integrated use of high-tech equipment brings such complex façade designs to life efficiently and effectively.”

Ar. Singh agrees, adding, “The new-age façades are developed to seamlessly integrate advanced technologies into the design, transforming static structures into dynamic, context-responsive skins. Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables real-time responsiveness to environmental stimuli, adjusting visuals for impact and energy efficiency. Augmented Reality (AR) adds layers of digital interaction, enhancing user engagement through immersive storytelling. Virtual Reality (VR) aids in designing and testing façade concepts, ensuring precision and alignment with architectural intent. Programmable LED systems and innovative materials allow façades to transition between static and animated states, while sensors enable interactivity, responding to movement or environmental changes. These innovations turn façades into living canvases, effortlessly merging architecture, technology, and urban engagement.”

Ar. Tanveer notes, “Complex façades demand precision, but they also demand collaboration. While we are not parametric designers by trade, at RBDS, we have embraced tools like Rhino and Grasshopper for their ability to explore forms that push the boundaries of design. I was particularly influenced by Sameep Padora and his approach—using parametrics to create buildings that don’t look parametric but respond intelligently to their environment.

We use these tools as a sandbox for experimentation and conceptual analysis—a way to test ideas, explore geometries, and understand how form meets function. While we don’t use tools like CATIA or Paneling Tools ourselves, we have seen their potential to enhance complex façade systems and bring intricate visions to life. For us, these tools are part of a larger conversation—a dialogue between design intent and execution—where we lean on specialists and collaborators to amplify precision and ensure that every curve serves its purpose and every detail tells a story.

“For installation, automation tools like FeneVision simplify production workflows, from material cutting to assembly. On-site challenges, like air leakage in complex façades, are solved with technologies like AeroBarrier, which automates envelope sealing with millimetre-level precision. These tools ensure that even the most ambitious façades transition seamlessly from vision to reality.”

Ar. Undale opines, “The tools I use to create and translate complex designs for fabrication include Rhino3D and Grasshopper3D. My work particularly focuses on curved surfaces—both single and double curvature—and these tools have fundamentally shaped how I approach design challenges. The introduction of SubD modelling in Rhino7 has made designing complex façades more approachable, but in my experience, the real challenge lies in rationalisation.

Rationalisation in façade design means simplifying the design by optimising it for fabrication, structural integration, code compliance, material constraints, and cost efficiency—all while preserving the original design intent. For instance, while working on a metal façade, I had to revise the design to increase the bending curvature from 10mm to 50mm based on the façade engineering requirements. Machine learning further aids rationalisation by reducing unique panel or surface counts, optimising costs, and maintaining design coherence.

“The process culminates in translating optimised designs into BIM software, specifically Revit, for stakeholder coordination before construction begins. Tools like Rhino. Inside Revi,t ensures seamless transfer of complex geometries without compromising design integrity. This workflow bridges the gap between ambitious designs and what is buildable.”

Ar. Kumar concurs, adding, “Advanced tools such as Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA, Autodesk Fusion 360, and Tekla Structures address the challenges of complex façade designs by integrating structural, aesthetic, and environmental data. These tools manage intricate designs effectively and predict potential construction challenges with AI integration, optimising processes and ensuring precision in execution.”

Advanced design tools are essential in navigating the complexities associated with the design and installation of façades, particularly when dealing with intricate geometries and unconventional materials. These tools facilitate precise modeling, enhance collaboration among stakeholders, and streamline the construction process, ultimately leading to more efficient and effective façade solutions, says Ar. Gupta.

Ar. Bilimoria highlights that there are countless advanced tools available to address the challenges of complex façade design and installation, making the process more efficient and precise. He notes that parametric design tools like Grasshopper and Dynamo allow for the effortless exploration of intricate geometries during the schematic stage. Once the design is finalised, he points out that BIM platforms ensure seamless integration of the façade with building systems, streamlining coordination across AEC disciplines. On the construction side, Bilimoria mentions the increasing use of fabrication software, along with steady innovations like 3D-printed façades, robotics, and AR/VR tools, enhancing on-site precision and visualisation. He further adds that digital twin technologies are also gaining traction, creating virtual replicas of buildings to test installation sequences and performance, proving useful even in the building’s operational phase. While these technologies are revolutionising the architecture industry, Bilimoria acknowledges that it is still catching up to sectors like automotive and aerospace, where automation and precision tools have long been integral, setting a benchmark for innovation and efficiency.

The Role Of Design Tools In Parametric Design: Customisation, Optimisation, And Key Software

Ar. Shah explains that parametric design emphasises personalisation and efficiency by using a set of guidelines and criteria that control how design elements relate to one another. This allows designers to produce adaptable, flexible systems where modifications to one component instantly affect related ones, guaranteeing efficiency and uniformity. He notes that this approach is particularly helpful for designing complicated geometries and performance-based solutions, as it enables quick iterations and modifications in response to specific requirements. The primary tools in parametric design are Rhino with Grasshopper, where Rhino serves as the modelling platform, and Grasshopper, the visual programming platform, guides the logic of the design process using variables. Other software options include Revit and Autodesk Dynamo, which also integrate parametric design for architecture, helping to refine building elements, optimise material usage, and create highly responsive environments. These tools streamline the design process, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and functional performance.

Ar. Tanveer opines that parametric design is about systems that respond rather than merely conform. It begins with relationships—between form, material, and performance—where the design evolves as a result of constraints, not despite them. He explains that, like Sameep Padora’s work, his team believes parametric design doesn’t have to look parametric; instead, it can feel organic, contextual, and deeply human. He says they use these tools for experimentation—challenging themselves with ideas that may be structurally improbable but conceptually rich. In some cases, Blender serves as an accessible playground for form exploration, allowing users to refine ideas that don’t require high computational workflows. He adds that when environmental performance enters the dialogue, plugins like Ladybug and Honeybee provide data on solar exposure and natural light, nudging the design towards meaningful responsiveness. He also highlights XKool, a company that inspires them with its ecosystem of AI-powered tools and services. He notes that XKool goes beyond individual solutions, offering a holistic framework that addresses challenges across architectural design, spatial planning, and façade performance. Their technologies, grounded in AI, open new doors for architectural analysis, offering insights that are often impossible to grasp manually. He acknowledges the role of experts who can wield tools like Galapagos or CATIA for precision and execution and reflects on how tools like Ladybug and Galapagos, introduced to him by Carlos Martinez from ZHA, have given him a fresh perspective on parametric design. He concludes that to them, parametricism is less about complexity and more about responsiveness—a way to align form, performance, and place without losing sight of the design’s poetic potential.

Ar. Undale explains that, in its simplest form, parametric design involves designs that are connected through various parameters, where a change in any one parameter affects the entire design. These parameters can include dimensions of a room, climatic data of a site, or the structural feasibility of a design, among others. These parameters can be either digital or physical, citing Ar. Antoni Gaudi’s hanging chain models are an example, where the parameters were the length of the chain, the location of anchor points, and the dead loads added on the anchor points. He emphasises that this demonstrates that parametric design is not necessarily digital. As a parametric and computational designer with over five years of experience, he primarily uses Grasshopper3D. He highlights the strength of Grasshopper in its robust online community for problem-solving and its extensive plugin ecosystem, covering all aspects of design—from structural analysis (Karamba) and environmental analysis (Ladybug, Honeybee) to evolutionary solvers (Galapagos, Wallacei) and machine learning (Lunchbox, Pug). He frequently uses plugins such as Lunchbox, Weaverbird, Galapagos, Open Nest, Elefront, Kangaroo2, and Ladybug for fabrication files, environmental analysis, and geometry optimisation. He recently led a workshop titled “AI & Parametric Negotiation” with PAACADEMY, which incorporated generative AI using ComfyUI. The workshop emphasised maintaining creative agency as a designer by creating a shared human-AI latent space where both AI and the designer contribute equally to the generated output. ComfyUI, a parametric AI generation tool, aligns with parametric design principles by accelerating the creation of complex architectural concepts through trained AI models. The tool also enables the training of custom models with datasets of 20 or more images, allowing designers to develop personalised style models called LoRA (Low-Rank Adaptation) models. He adds that, through this process, he has trained multiple custom LoRAs with training times ranging from 30 minutes to three hours, depending on resolution and image count. He concludes by stating that this represents another approach to parametric design—training AI with parametric design images to generate similar outputs—and emphasises that parametric design is fundamentally a process, with outputs ranging from extremely complex to remarkably simple.

Ar. Kumar adds, “Parametric design thrives on tools like Rhino-Grasshopper, Dynamo for Revit, and Maya. These tools empower architects to customise façade designs and optimise them for functionality and performance. For example, algorithms in Grasshopper can analyse wind flow and sunlight penetration to tailor a façade’s geometry for maximum efficiency.”

“Parametric tools have transformed façade design by enabling both customisation and optimisation, enhancing aesthetics, performance, and sustainability. Here’s how:

• Tools like Grasshopper (with Rhino) allow architects to create unique, context-specific designs, such as fluid or biomorphic patterns. Façades can adapt to environmental factors, like a parametric jaali that adjusts for sunlight in hot climates.
• Parametric tools model solar shading and thermal comfort, optimising façade geometry for energy efficiency. Plugins like Ladybug and Honeybee help balance aesthetics with performance, while material efficiency is improved by reducing waste.
• Façades are tailored to local climates using environmental data, such as designing double-skin façades for hot climates. Dynamic systems like kinetic shading respond to changing conditions.
• Parametric tools integrate with BIM platforms (e.g., Revit) for seamless collaboration among architects, engineers, and fabricators, enabling precision and ease in fabrication.
• Parametric design supports international standards and can incorporate local cultural elements, such as traditional jaalis in India, into modern designs.

Here are some case studies which can be considered: 

Parametric tools help architects merge creativity with functionality, making façades not only visually striking but also sustainable, efficient, and contextually relevant.

Ar. Richa Gupta, Lead Architect and Brand Strategist, Studio TAB”

According to him, projection mapping has also pushed boundaries, as seen in projects like the Sagrada Familia Light Show in Barcelona, where the façade becomes a canvas for immersive storytelling without altering its physical form. He opines that in this discourse, it is impossible to overlook the work of Refik Anadol and his explorations into data-driven design. His latest project, the Large Nature Model Dataland, pushes the boundaries of what media façades can achieve. By blending AI, natural datasets, and machine learning, Anadol creates immersive experiences that turn buildings into living, breathing organisms—façades that pulse with the rhythms of nature. Anadol’s work demonstrates the untapped potential of AI to merge architecture with real-time, generative art, offering glimpses into how future façades might blur the line between the digital and physical worlds.

According to him, technologies, when paired with thoughtful design intent, elevate buildings into experiences—beacons that communicate with their surroundings in real time, engage the public in meaningful ways, and open new dialogues about what façades can and should be in the age of AI. He also mentions that closer to home, his good friend Ayaz Basrai explored this potential in his project, The Second House in Goa. Here, projection mapping moves indoors, becoming an integral part of interior design. It transforms spaces dynamically, with visuals responding to the moment, enriching the experience of being inside a space that feels alive and constantly shifting.

Ar. Bilimoria emphasises that when it comes to creating visually striking and interactive media façades, technologies such as LED systems, projection mapping, and interactive sensors play a key role in bringing the vision to life. However, he believes the essence lies in a thoughtful response to the building’s design intent and its surroundings. Beyond digital media, she advocates for the need for mixed-media façades that incorporate materiality to narrate stories and reflect cultural and environmental contexts. By integrating sustainable materials, adaptive lighting, and interactive elements, he suggests that media façades can transcend mere aesthetics, becoming dynamic, context-responsive canvases that engage users while harmonising with the urban landscape.

AI, BIM, And Computational Design: Shaping Future Façades

Ar. Singh believes that the shift towards technology necessitates that architects and designers align their design processes with the demands of future-ready systems. He explained, “Leveraging tools such as Big Data and Artificial Intelligence enables professionals to analyse existing profiles, identify patterns, and develop dynamic layouts that are adaptable and reconfigurable.”

Ar. Tanveer agrees that automation promises to streamline how façades are delivered but opines that its true potential lies in rethinking design processes. “Many architects claim to embrace advanced tools, yet their processes often remain conventional—using software as digital drafting boards rather than instruments of exploration. Tools are not a shortcut to efficiency but a means to challenge the norm, uncover new possibilities, and push design into uncharted territories,” he noted. He further elaborates that tools like Revit and Dynamo enable rule-based workflows but emphasises the importance of intent in innovation. He says, “True innovation happens when automation and human intent come together to solve real challenges, not as a superficial layer masking conventional practice. For us, automation bridges the gap between concept and execution, where every detail reflects intent and every line drawn serves a purpose. These tools don’t replace the architect’s vision—they enhance it, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible while maintaining an eye towards the human experience.”

Ar. Undale, on the other hand, highlighted specific tools that are advancing automation in façade design. “There are numerous tools for building envelope automation that incorporate AI and Machine Learning,” he explained. He noted Finch as one such tool that integrates with Revit, Rhino, and Grasshopper, automating tasks like spatial arrangement and building massing by optimising geometry through parameters such as area, circulation, and CO2 efficiency. Tools like Hypar, TestFit, and Autodesk Forma automate schematic designs and sustainable façades.

For more intricate designs, he believes Grasshopper3D within Rhino offers a robust approach by utilising machine learning, climatic analysis, and evolutionary solver plugins to iterate designs. He shared an example from his work: “Serene, a project I developed with two colleagues at IAAC, used machine learning (Owl plugin), climatic analysis (Ladybug plugin), and an evolutionary solver (Octopus plugin) to generate façades optimised for solar openings and mutual shading. Proper data collection for machine learning was crucial, allowing us to create a tensor set with Owl that generated optimal façade designs for each month without further iteration.” He also sees potential in generative AI for 2D façade automation, mentioning ComfyUI. He noted, “I employed ComfyUI during a renovation project to generate design options while maintaining the original building’s structural layout. This tool can even generate design options from images of open plots, providing contextual evaluation before modelling. AI excels in creating aesthetically pleasing designs, demonstrating particular strength in generative tasks.”

Ar. Kumar adds a practical perspective, emphasising tools that enhance precision during installation. “Tools like BIM 360, Navisworks, and SolidWorks support automation in building envelope design and installation,” he explained. These platforms, according to him, use AI and generative design algorithms to automate repetitive tasks, simulate performance, and streamline installation processes. He notes, “This approach enhances efficiency and ensures precision in complex projects.”

Ar. Gupta opines that the evolution of AI, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and computational design is poised to significantly influence the future of architectural and façade design. These advancements are expected to drive innovation by enabling more creative and sustainable design approaches, allowing architects to optimise performance, reduce waste, and create structures that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally responsible.

Ar. Bilimoria believes that when automating building envelopes, including façades, doors, and windows, it is essential to look beyond software and emphasise integrated systems. According to him, Building Management Systems (BMS), paired with digital twin technology, are game-changers for optimising façade performance. These systems respond to real-time environmental data—such as wind, temperature, light, and air quality—to control features like automated shading, lighting, and ventilation. For instance, daylight sensors adjust shading devices, electrochromic glass dynamically tints to reduce glare and heat gain, and windows close automatically during poor air quality or high winds, enhancing both comfort and safety. She also points out that on the installation side, modern fabrication tools and parametric modular approaches are transforming the production and assembly of façade components, enabling greater precision, reduced labour costs, and faster installation.

Conclusion

The integration of advanced technology in the design of façades and fenestration has opened a new era of innovation. Tools such as Cove.Tools such as IESVE, Radiance, DIALux, Rhino, Grasshopper and BIM-based platforms are key to achieving an energy-efficient and visually appealing façade design. Architects and designers use these technologies to create buildings that optimise natural light, ventilation and thermal insulation appropriately; at the same time, it reduces heat ingress and glare. These tools not only improve a building’s environmental capabilities but also provide comfort to occupants and reduce reliance on mechanical systems.

Using parametric design and computational tools such as Grasshopper, Ladybug, and Galapagos allows for a deeper understanding of the relationship between form, materials and performance. This allows for the customisation and optimisation of complex façades and ensures that each design element responds both functionally and aesthetically. Using AI, machine learning, and creative design changes also opens up new opportunities for innovative façade solutions by erasing the boundaries between digital design and physical implementation.

The combination of technology, agility and innovative design has transformed the façade from a mere structural component towards dynamic, responsive and environmentally conscious elements that integrate with the identity and efficiency of modern buildings. As the industry continues to explore new tools and methods, design software’s role in shaping the future of façade and fenestration will only grow, promoting a harmonious balance between technology, nature and architecture.