A Conceptual Framework for Social Sustainability in Facade Design

Abstract

This research examines how participatory design can be used to bring social sustainability principles into the facade design industry, where technical and economic priorities often dominate. Drawing on a review of literature and five semi-structured interviews with architects, facade consultants, and facade system designers in Türkiye, the study identifies recurring gaps in timing, collaboration, and responsibility that limit the consideration of social sustainability criteria. These gaps are then used as the basis for a conceptual framework that maps social sustainability principles across the phases of facade design and specifies points where participatory methods could make a difference. The conceptual framework is intended as an exploratory step: it does not offer universal rules, but a structured way of thinking about where and how participation can be introduced in a fragmented and highly technical design process. The contribution lies in extending participatory design research into a specialized design industry context and showing how social sustainability can be translated from broad principles into practical interventions. While the study is based on a small sample and situated within the Turkish industry, the approach points to opportunities for further testing and adaptation in other design environments where collaboration is limited and social concerns remain underdeveloped.