What Do Façade Engineers Do, and Why Do You Need One?
A common question we hear from those unfamiliar with façade engineering is: "What do you do, and why do we need you on our project?"
It's a fair question. Façade engineering is a relatively new discipline - especially in New Zealand. It's not yet officially recognised as its own category by Engineering NZ. Many designers only encounter a façade engineer after receiving an RFI from the council requesting a façade engineer's review and/or PS2.
Why We Prefer "Building Enclosure Engineering"
While the term "façade engineering" is widely used, we prefer building enclosure engineering, building envelope engineering, or building science engineering. These terms more accurately reflect our scope, which includes:
- Roofs, below-grade structures, and everything in between - not just vertical façades.
- Ensuring the entire building enclosure works harmoniously and keeping the inside comfortable and the outside where it belongs.
- Maximising durability, performance, and low maintenance for the entire enclosure system.
Simply put, if it separates the inside from the outside, we work on it.
While we can certainly answer RFIs (request for information) to help secure consent, engaging us earlier in the project brings significantly more value.
What Is Our Role in a Project?
Our work covers anything related to the building enclosure. Here's how we add value:
- A Second Set of Eyes During Design: we review components, assemblies, drawings, and details to make sure they're buildable, weathertight, structural, and durable.
- Compliance Report Writer: We create comprehensive enclosure compliance reports to demonstrate building code compliance for all assemblies (roof, below grade, etc.), typically including an enclosure PS1.
- Peer Reviewer: For large or complex buildings requiring both a design façade engineer and a peer reviewer, we provide the review, report, and enclosure PS2.
- Council Interpreter: While no one can provide definitive answers on what to expect during consenting, we are experts in understanding and interpreting RFIs and working with council reviewers to get consent approved quickly and efficiently.
- Brainstormer & Assembly Suggester: Early in design, we work to understand the design intent and then suggest components, details, and assemblies that will achieve the look while also being efficient, durable, and cost-effective.
- Energy Modeller: We can create and run full-building energy and thermal bridge models and check for condensation risk. This can be used to shift/modify the building design for efficiency or for H1 Energy Efficiency code compliance.
- Secondary Structure Designer: We leave the main structure of the building to the structural engineer, but we can design any bespoke secondary components such as louvres, claddings, fixings, canopies, and windows.
- Supplier Liaison: We speak to product suppliers to ensure they review details, provide documentation, and correctly install any components.
- Engineering Judge/Appraiser: We assess documentation, test reports, and international data on exterior products (e.g., cladding, membranes) to determine compliance with the NZ Building Code.
- Building Science Educator: We provide reasonings and explanations behind our work to the project team to ensure we're all working with the same understanding, and we can also provide seminars/presentations on any building science topics for consultants/councils/architects/etc.
- Construction Monitor: We monitor construction to ensure all enclosure components are correctly installed and tested and to resolve any details on site that don't match the drawings.
- Investigator (Leaks & Condensation): We investigate leaks and condensation issues (and distinguish between them) and follow symptoms to find their source to create a design to avoid repeat failures.
- Problem Solver: We are supplier agnostic and have heaps of in-house test experience so that we can create bespoke designs and bridge gaps in knowledge/liability (e.g. transition between different suppliers' products) to create the best solution for a problem rather than resorting to an off-the-shelf solution.
- Expert Witness: We assist legal teams by providing expert witness services for mediations and lawsuits related to building enclosures.
- Retrofit/Remediation Consultant: We provide start-to-finish investigation, design, and construction monitoring services to ensure that a remediation project gets the best value for the dollars spent to improve comfort and performance while working around structural/aesthetic upgradesWe provide start-to-finish investigation, design, and construction monitoring services to ensure that a remediation project gets the best value for dollar to improve comfort and performance while working around structural/aesthetic upgrades.
Why Work With Us?
When it comes to building enclosures, every detail matters. Whether designing a new structure or addressing existing issues, you need experts who understand how to balance aesthetics, efficiency, and compliance. That's where we come in:
- We specialise in building science and enclosure engineering - it's all we do.
- We enhance performance and durability while keeping costs low.
- We work from first principles, ensuring flexibility in design rather than rigidly following acceptable solutions.
- We monitor construction to ensure designs are implemented correctly.
If your project involves the exterior enclosure of a building, we can help.
