facade

noun

1. Architecture.
   1. the front of a building, especially an imposing or decorative one.
   2. any side of a building facing a public way or space and finished accordingly.
2. a superficial appearance or illusion of something: They managed somehow to maintain a facade of wealth.

noun

1. the face of a building, esp the main front
2. a front or outer appearance, esp a deceptive one

n.

1650s, “front of a building,” from French façade (16c.), from Italian facciata, from faccia “face,” from Vulgar Latin *facia (see face (n.)). Figurative use by 1845.