The word facade originates from the Latin facies, meaning 'the face of the house'. In ancient times, few people gave much thought to the 'faces' of their homes: it was quite enough to be sheltered from the wind and rain. Today, a much higher standard prevails. Apart from its effect on the appearance of a building, the facade is crucial to its practicality. Accordingly, the design and construction of facades has evolved into an architectural art form. Facade design is different from interior design. Apart from serving as an expression of the architect's creative mind, a facade must also be robust enough to withstand wind, rain, sunlight and vibration. Few universities teach the art of the facade, and architects must learn their trade by experience and instinct. This book provides a multifaceted look at the anatomy of the modern facade using text, photography, and three-dimensional and CAD renderings. Readers will come away with a new appreciation of this most vital and public of architectural features - and the ability to understand the fascinating story behind 'the face of the house'.