We work with Design Teams to provide Specialist Engineering input and act as facade engineers.

We can provide structural engineering input for facade designs in all materials including glass, acrylic, other plastics (F.R.P), aluminium and steel.

Stage 1: Design development

In this initial stage we explore the design ideas and investigate the various options for the construction of the cladding systems. An important part of this process is to distill the various requirements, architectural, environmental and structural so that the number of variables can be optimised. In this way a limited number of responses are identified and repetition of elements is maximised.

We also consider the following:

• Maintenance access issues
• Strategies regarding fixing & cold bridging
• Sequence of construction
• Life performance of materials
• Thermal expansion and contraction issues
• Tolerance strategies

Stage 2: Tender Information

In this secondary stage the service includes:

• Coordination with the design team to ensure that structural solution for the solar strategies is fully integrated with the building structure and the services
• Review of the design parameters with the design team regarding services, structural cost, environmental programme etc
• General coordination with the team including review and comments on drawings from other disciplines
• Meeting with various specialist cladding and glazing contractors
• Progress of the design to encompass RIBA Stage E – G inclusive. This includes the generic design of the horizontal and vertical support systems, structural design of cladding / glazing and their associated means of attachment

The outcome of this second stage is as follows:

• CAD drawings are prepared for the various building elevations. These are annotated and cross referenced to specific detail sheets
• The cladding support structure systems are designed as are and their components.
• The structural section of NBS specification (H92 and H13) are completed setting the performance requirements for the contractor’s detailed design of the facade elements

Stage 3: Post contract services

• Review & comment on cladding contractors working and fabrication drawings
• Attendance at site