In architecture, the term of architectural surface is not a stiff idea, making it difficult to be reflected on. The development of the concept of architectural surface was tried to trace, contemporary architectural surface practice was described, and the achievements and shortcomings of contemporary architectural theory was summed up, and the structural concept of architectural surface system was defined, with the consideration of contemporary architectural characteristics. The object of architectural surface study was expanded by the concept of architectural system which includes all the components involved in the image presentation or the function of envelope and reflects the relationship between the components of contemporary architectural surface better.