Imagine a skyline dotted with high-rises, each a testament to architectural ambition and economic growth. What happens when these towering structures, built around the same time, begin to show their age?

In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Susanna Noureddine, Head of Facades interviews Andy Dean, Senior Technical Director – Asset Transformation at WSP in the Middle East to explore how facades age, and the potential risks of neglect. More importantly, the discussion highlights the strategic planning and preparation needed to address the current situation of buildings in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

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Discussion Points

00:00 – Introduction and Overview

06:13 – The Aging Process of Facades

09:55 – The Problems of Neglecting Facade Maintenance

25:04 – The Urgency to Start Planning and Assessing

32:13 – The Role of Designers and System Suppliers

38:24 – The Need to Start Addressing the Challenges Now

Key Takeaways

• The aging of facades is inevitable, and neglecting their maintenance can lead to a drop in energy performance, aesthetics, and safety issues.
• Facades in the GCC are particularly susceptible to air infiltration, which can cause condensation, mold, and corrosion.
• There are approximately 200,000 buildings in Abu Dhabi and Dubai alone that are 20 to 25 years old and in need of refurbishment. There are also hundreds of thousands of buildings in the region that were built around the same time and will need refurbishment very soon.
• The challenge lies in the large number of unitized facade systems, which are difficult to refurbish flexibly.
• To address the issue, owners and developers need to assess the condition of their facades, plan for refurbishment, and allocate resources.
• Designers and system suppliers should focus on developing flexible and changeable facade systems for the future.
• It is crucial to start addressing the challenges now to avoid societal problems and ensure a sustainable and resilient built environment.

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