Final answer:
A facing attached to a wall that adds ornamentation, protection, or insulation without contributing structural strength is an architectural feature such as a pilaster. Pilasters are used for decorative purposes and are different from structural supports like buttresses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject in question relates to a facing that is attached to a wall for purposes such as ornamentation, protection, or insulation. This facing does not contribute to the structural strength of the wall. In architecture, there are several decorative elements that can perform this role. One example is a pilaster, which is a rectangular column that visually appears to support the wall but is primarily ornamental in function. It can be compared to other architectural features like buttresses, which do provide support, and engaged columns, which are part of the wall structure.
To provide insulation, materials such as fiberglass batt are used in walls and ceilings to prevent heat transfer between the interior and exterior environments, as indicated in Figure 1.23. However, the function of decorative facings is less about insulation and more about aesthetics and sometimes protection from the elements.