Facade

Facade (Fr.), the exterior front or face of a building. This term, although frequently restricted to classic architecture, may be applied to the front elevation of a building in any style. It is, however, generally used with reference to buildings of some magnitude and pretentious; thus, we speak of the front of a house, and the façade of a palace. The back elevation of an important building is called the rear façade, and a side elevation the lateral façade. The sides of a court or cortile are also called façades, and are distinguished as north, south, &c. façades.