The impact of digital design on Façade performance: A literature review

Abstract

Advances in technology and interdisciplinary collaborations have increased design efficiency through new materials and construction systems, and have supported innovations in the field of architecture. However, despite these developments, performance evaluation before construction remains crucial. Therefore, digital design methods and performance analysis software have become fundamental tools in the optimization process. This study examines the role of digital design in improving facade performance within the context of sustainable archi-tecture. In this context, 96 studies obtained from the Web of Science (WoS) database were ex-amined. Trends in the research were evaluated using bibliometric methods and content analysis applied via VOSviewer. The findings show that the majority of studies focus on daylight, energy efficiency, and solar radiation. In contrast, topics such as ventilation, indoor air quality, and acoustics were addressed to a more limited extent. In recent years, digital twin applications and artificial intelligence-supported facade optimization have gained more prominence. Simulation methods are dominant in the studies examined (65.6%). The most commonly used tools are Rhinoceros and Grasshopper. Only 58.3% of the studies received financial support. China stands out in terms of both the number of articles and the number of supported studies. This study presents a systematic classification for facade performance criteria and digital tools. It also draws attention to research gaps, particularly in the areas of ventilation and cooling performance. By highlighting these insufficiently addressed areas, the research differs from previous studies and offers a roadmap for future research towards developing digital facade design with a more comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach.