die  Glasfassade

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡlasfaˌzaːdə/

🧱 What exactly is a Glasfassade?

A Glasfassade (feminine, article: die) refers to the exterior wall, or a large part of the exterior wall, of a building that is primarily made of glass. It is a characteristic feature of modern architecture, often used to let ample daylight into the building and create an open, transparent effect.

There is only this one article, die, for this word. ⚠️ Note that it's a compound word: das Glas (the glass) + die Fassade (the facade). The gender is determined by the last part (die Fassade).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Glasfassade

The word 'Glasfassade' is a feminine noun.

Declension

Example Sentences

• Das neue Bürogebäude hat eine beeindruckende Glasfassade.
  (The new office building has an impressive glass facade.)
• Durch die Glasfassade fällt viel Licht in die Eingangshalle.
  (A lot of light enters the entrance hall through the glass facade.)
• Die Reinigung der Glasfassade ist sehr aufwendig.
  (Cleaning the glass facade is very laborious.)
• Moderne Wolkenkratzer haben oft riesige Glasfassaden.
  (Modern skyscrapers often have huge glass facades.)

🏢 Everyday Application

The term Glasfassade is primarily used in the context of architecture, construction, and urban planning. It describes a specific architectural element.

• Modern Architecture: Glasfassaden are a symbol of modern, often representative buildings such as office complexes, museums, or airports.
• Energy Efficiency: Depending on the construction, Glasfassaden can contribute to energy efficiency (e.g., through special insulating glazing) or pose challenges (heating up in summer).
• Aesthetics: They significantly shape the appearance of a building and often allow for wide views from the inside and insights from the outside.

🧠 Mnemonics for Glasfassade

Article 'die': Think of 'die Wand' (the wall) or 'die Mauer' (the wall). A facade is like a special kind of wall. The base word 'die Fassade' is feminine. Therefore, it's die Glasfassade. Imagine a *she*-er glass wall.

Meaning: The word is easy to remember as it's a direct combination of its parts: Glas (glass) + Fassade (facade) = a facade made of glass.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

😂 A Little Joke

Warum sind Glasfassaden so schlecht im Versteckspielen?
Weil man immer durch sie hindurchsehen kann!

(Why are glass facades so bad at hide-and-seek?
Because you can always see right through them!)

✒️ A Poem about the Glasfassade

Spiegelnd im Sonnenlicht,
ein Turm, ein modernes Gesicht.
Die Glasfassade, klar und rein,
lässt Stadt und Himmel hinein.
Transparenz, ein offenes Tor,
so steigt das Bauwerk empor.

(Reflecting in the sunlight,
a tower, a modern sight.
The glass facade, clear and pure,
lets city and sky allure.
Transparency, an open gate,
thus the structure elevates.)

🧩 Who or What Am I?

Ich kleide Gebäude ein, doch Stoff ist mir fremd.
Ich lasse Licht herein, bin oft glatt und gekämmt (gereinigt).
Man sieht durch mich hindurch, bei Tag und bei Nacht.
Welche moderne Haut hat der Architekt erdacht?

(I clothe buildings, but fabric is foreign to me.
I let light in, am often smooth and groomed (cleaned).
You can see through me, by day and by night.
What modern skin did the architect devise?)

Solution: die Glasfassade

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

• das Glas: A transparent, solid, but brittle material.
• die Fassade: The designed exterior view or front side of a building (from French 'façade' - front, face).

Glasfassaden can be designed in very different ways, from simple glass fronts to complex double facades with integrated sun protection or ventilation systems. They are a hallmark of modern architecture.