An exploratory study on a comprehensive set of criteria for facade assessment

Purpose The presentation of all required criteria that a facade should fulfill needs to be revised, particularly considering novel perspectives on facade. This study aims to fill this need because leaving it unsolved leads the specialists to evaluate and design facades based on insufficient data resulting in imprecise decisions in both areas. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory study was conducted based on library resources to identify and extract the criteria, which were coded openly and axially, and categorized via a new standpoint. Shannon method was also used to analyze categories’ frequencies. Findings In total, 42 criteria were found and organized in five categories: “Environmental Aspects,” “Social Impacts,” “Economic Aspects,” “Efficiency and Effectiveness” and “Technical Issues.” This study adds 20 criteria, including “Natural Resource Depletion” and “Clients’ Preferences,” to facade assessment criteria compared to previous studies. Compared to similar research, “Technical Aspects” is augmented to this field's categorizations, whereas “Social Impacts” and “Environmental Aspects” are provided in a more extensive way. Research limitations/implications The research proceeded until theoretical saturation; therefore, there is no claim to be the most comprehensive. The findings are instrumental to professionals for making practical decisions. The concentration and frequency of the literature will offer an insight to academics about the pioneering fields of facade development. Originality/value This study presents a comprehensive and up-to-date set of facade assessment criteria based on new approaches that see facade as a multifunctional component that must address various requirements beyond aesthetics.