What are the latest UK facade colour trends?
The Evolving Language of Facades: Colour, Texture, and the New Era of Fire-Safe Rainscreen Cladding
In the world of architectural design, facades are no longer mere protective layers—they are expressions of personality, artistry, and innovation. As we move into 2025, the lines between aesthetic beauty and practical design are blurring, resulting in facades that are as much about mood and texture as they are about performance. The latest trends show us that colour, texture, and the growing demand for fire-safe cladding materials are shaping the way our buildings look, feel, and function.
Colour as Architectural Poetry
Colour has always been a powerful tool in architecture, but now, it’s taking on a bolder, more audacious role. While minimalism continues to have its place, there’s an exciting shift toward rich, deep hues that imbue facades with personality and presence. Sophisticated and sensory. Think jewel tones—emerald greens, sapphire blues, and rich ochres—blending seamlessly with contemporary materials. This isn’t about bland beige or predictable grey; it’s about using colour as a narrative that reflects both the surrounding environment and the personality of the building itself.
The art of the ombré is making its mark on facades, too, with colour gradients creating a fluid, almost cinematic quality. The transition from one tone to the next can evoke a sense of movement, lightness, and intrigue. And while earthy tones—muted terracottas, warm greys, and soft taupes—are back in vogue, they aren’t about retreating into the background. Instead, they offer a grounded, organic elegance that contrasts beautifully against the sharpness of urban skylines.

Unique Facade Panel Textures: A Sensory Experience for the Modern Building
Texture is taking its place at the forefront of facade design as an integral part of both aesthetic allure and tactile experience. The beauty of texture lies in its ability to change the way we engage with a building—it invites touch, interaction, and, of course, visual stimulation. This year, we’re seeing a rise in the use of perforated materials, designed to be both visually striking and functionally dynamic. These panels, which can be arranged in intricate geometric patterns, allow light to filter through in unpredictable ways, creating ever-changing shadow play.
Concrete, that quintessential modern material, is also being reimagined with textures that range from smooth, polished finishes to more raw, sculptural surfaces. The beauty with Petrarch is that we can capture this same experience, but in a lightweight and easy to install form.
This embrace of tactile variety is enhanced by the clever juxtaposition of materials—smooth glass with textured stone, reflective metals with organic wood—creating a sensory dialogue that’s as much about contrast as it is about harmony. Whether it’s through deep grooves, embossed patterns, or sandblasted finishes, the facades of tomorrow are destined to be as much about feeling as they are about the look.
Fire Safety and the Resurgence of Rainscreen Cladding
As facades evolve, so too does the awareness surrounding the critical need for fire safety. The tragic events of the past few years have firmly put fire-resistance at the forefront of design conversations, and rainscreen cladding—an exterior cladding system that offers both thermal insulation and weather protection—has become a focal point in the conversation.
While rainscreen cladding UK has long been celebrated for its ability to protect buildings from the elements, there is an increasing emphasis on fire-resistant materials. In this new wave of architectural thinking, the safety of the building is as important as its beauty. The key lies in ensuring that materials used in rainscreen systems are non-combustible or treated to be fire-resistant. Think mineral fibre, treated metals, and fire-rated ceramics—materials that not only meet safety standards but can also be beautifully crafted to create stunning exteriors.
Equally important is the design of the cavity between the cladding and the underlying wall. This gap, which promotes airflow and prevents moisture buildup, must also be engineered to prevent fire from spreading, ensuring that the beauty of the facade doesn’t come at the cost of safety. As a result, more designers are integrating advanced insulation solutions like rock wool and glass wool, which offer exceptional fire-resistant properties while maintaining the building’s aesthetic appeal.
What we’re witnessing is a convergence of exacting style and exacting function —facades that not only engage and inspire but also meet the highest safety standards. The future of rainscreen cladding is a delicate balance between elegance, performance, and protection, ensuring that buildings not only shine but do so with integrity.
The Future of Facades: Where Beauty Meets Function
As we look to the future, it’s clear that facade design will continue to evolve, becoming ever more sophisticated and versatile. The interplay of colour, texture, and fire-safe materials will not only push the boundaries of how we define beauty in architecture but also ensure that our cities remain safe and resilient. In this exciting new era, the building facade is not just a skin—it’s a canvas, a shield, and a statement.
So whether it’s the bold splash of colour, the tactile richness of textured surfaces, or the peace of mind that comes with fire-safe cladding, the facades of 2025 will remind us that architecture is as much about emotion as it is about engineering. And, with each carefully crafted detail, they’ll continue to captivate, protect, and inspire for generations to come.
Explore Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year – Mocha Mousse (𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝟭𝟳-𝟭𝟮𝟯𝟬.)

In the words of Laurie Pressman, the Vice President of the Pantone Colour Institute, Mocha Mousse captures “a mood of connection, comfort, and the indulgence of simple pleasures.”
We can see why this rich shade has been chosen as this year’s colour, it really does convey a sense of warmth and comfort. We’re also eager to see how our customers intend to employ it to take their facade design to the next level. Thanks to our worldwide partners we’ve already seen how this alluring tone has transformed the facades of public sector buildings in the USA and the Netherlands.
Hartley Block
Over 1500 shades including Mocha Mousse…
Inspired by the natural tones of the Dutch countryside, this striking public sector project is a stunning showcase for Petrarch. If you’ve been wondering just what can be achieved with our extensive colour palette, this station helps show you.
‘The entire concept is inspired by typical Dutch landscapes: forest, water, dunes, beach, sea, sky, fields, views, etc. To achieve this, three natural tones were utilised.’ Van Pelt Architect.
An expanse of Petrarch adorns Bergen Op Zoom which comprises approximately 8,500 m2 of Petrarch.
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Did you know you can now specify Petrarch reconstituted stone rainscreen panels on NBS Source, here:
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