Debates of façade/surface context in contemporary architecture

This study focuses on the boundaries of the space in the context of the concepts of façade and surface in a historical continuity. Within this framework, an important question is towarded to the positions of façade and surface concepts that are the realities of architecture and abstract terms. In architecture, the inquiry of what the façade/surface is covers the results in theory and implementation of what the boundary is, what they mean, how they are used and how architects reconstitute the boundaries.In 19th century, the transformation of façade concept in the direction of surface concept and how the surface was constructed by architects under both historical and theoretical concerns are of prime significance. Especially, the theories of Gottfried Semper are reviewed as important references for the surface concept?s becoming meaningful.The content/quality of the surface concept in contemporary architecture is analyzed in the speeches and the implemantations of the architects as Coop- Himmelb(l)au, Toyo Ito, Bernard Tschumi, Herzog & de Meuron, Rem Koolhaas, FOA, Jean Nouvel, Frank Gehry and there prepared a graphical representation that includes the factors shaping the content of boundaries and the buildings.It is observed that with the surface being an aesthetical element of representation, connecting the production and construction different surface designs were created. It is assumed that by naming those differences in a general term-surface- the meaning richness in the boundaries and the spatial qualities are reduced. Within this framework, this study includes a reading model prepared with the concepts and adjective suggestions that expresses the diversity of meanings of the surface concept and its authenticity in contemporary architecture.The findings of the research are finalized with a surface theory suggestion. Surface theory is constituted with the concepts of sensual actions, constants shaping the objectivity and program defined/explained the fundamental features as variables, industrial and digital production models, architecturesque, para-contextuality and para-fictitiousness.