The technical engineering of the building envelope covers the calculations, simulations and verifications required for the design, dimensioning and validation of a complex facade. Structure, thermal, building physics, computational, interfaces, four registers we carry simultaneously, without systematic externalisation of sensitive calculations, and anchored in the command of a multi-jurisdictional normative corpus (SIA, Eurocodes, DIN, ASTM, FIDIC).
The technical engineering of the envelope does not segment into silos. It treats structure, thermal, computational and interfaces simultaneously, on the same parametric model, because a decision on one register engages the three others from the design phase.
A compartmented approach treats structure, then thermal, then computational, then interfaces. This sequence accumulates incompatible arbitrations: an optimal structural dimensioning that creates inadmissible thermal bridges, an optimal thermal geometry that cannot be industrially fabricated, a computational model that does not dialogue with the structural calculations.
Our simultaneity solves this at the root. Thermal engineer and structural engineer work on the same native 3D model. Arbitrations happen at design, not at construction where they cost ten times more.
We operate on five normative corpora, mobilised per project jurisdiction: SIA (Switzerland), Eurocodes (Europe), DIN (Germany, structural glass), ASTM/AAMA (international, dynamic tests), FIDIC (contractual frames). Simultaneous mastery of this corpus is what enables technical framing of any project regardless of its jurisdictional context.
Dimensioning of curtain walls, skylights, large-format joinery, secondary frames. Deflection-limit calculations per EN 13830 and DIN 18008 for glazing. Dimensioning of load-bearing profiles, structural fastenings, anchorages to the primary structure, intermediate support structures. Each calculation integrates load combinations from the Eurocodes (EN 1990 to 1999) or from SIA 261 to 265 per jurisdiction, with local wind loads (CFD studies mobilised on complex geometries), snow loads, seismic actions, operational and maintenance actions.
Dimensioning of beams, columns and panels in structural glass per DIN 18008 and relevant European Technical Assessments. Calculation of point-fixed connections, structural silicone bonding per ETAG 002 and EAD 090010-00-0404 for structural silicone glazing systems, verification of post-failure residual strength of laminated glass. See also Structural glass & Jumbo glazing for SOTA configurations.
Dimensioning of anchorages to the primary structure, calculation of load transfers, management of execution tolerances between primary structure and envelope, integration of differential movements and seismic displacements. These interfaces concentrate the structural sensitivity of the project; their treatment conditions the performance and durability of the entire envelope package.
The physical behaviour of the building envelope over the annual cycle is analysed and optimised across five registers. Click on a register to read its detail.
Not only under static average conditions.
Modelling of the envelope's thermal behaviour over the full annual cycle, not only under static average conditions. Simulation of solar gains by orientation and season, night losses, facade thermal inertia, mass and solar-shading effects. Verification of Minergie, SIA 380/1, RE2020 or local frame compliance per project jurisdiction.
IMG.011aTransformation of complex surfaces (double curvature, organic geometries, parametric facades) into components fabricable by standard industrial supply chains. Rationalisation produces families of panels that carry the intent geometry without imposing unit-by-unit bespoke fabrication. It preserves architectural intent while opening industrial fabrication at controlled cost.
Parametric 3D models that simultaneously integrate structural, thermal and industrial constraints. The digital twin is not a representation, it is a simulation environment in which modifying a parameter (profile thickness, reveal geometry, glazing specification) automatically propagates its consequences across calculated performances.
Verification of installation tolerances, dynamic visualisation of interfaces, real-time exploration of variants during design arbitration. Algorithmic spatial simulation allows anticipation of on-site execution problems before they materialise into cost and delay.
Direct export of parametric models to fabrication environments (CNC, CAM, extrusion, glass processing) and to industry-standard calculation software. Data continuity between design and production is addressed in DFMA & File-to-Factory.
The facade is at the interface of all technical packages of a project. Its engineering explicitly manages five categories of interface.
Shell, main frame, floor slabs.
Vertical and horizontal load transfers, differential-movement accommodation, management of shell execution tolerances rarely compatible with the tolerances required by a high-performing facade installation.
Grilles, ducts, perimeter thermal returns.
Ventilation grille integration, duct penetrations, perimeter thermal returns. Waterproofing around envelope penetrations.
Glazing, air tightness, lateral transmission.
Acoustic glazing, air tightness conditioning insulation performance, lateral transmission via facade-structure junctions.
Lighting, shading, active solar control.
Integrated facade lighting, exterior shading and blackout systems, active solar control.
Anti-intrusion, blast, fire behaviour.
Anti-intrusion EN 1627 (RC1 to RC6), blast UFC 4-010-01 or GSA, fire behaviour NFPA 285 or BS 8414 per jurisdiction. See SOTA expertises for vertical-specific configurations.
En savoir plusThe normative corpus covered by our facade engineer missions is multi-jurisdictional, mobilised per project context.
SIA 329 (glazed facades), SIA 331 (windows and doors), SIA 380/1 (thermal performance), SIA 181 (acoustic), SIA 261 to 265 (structures and actions).
Eurocodes 0 to 9 (EN 1990 to 1999), EN 13830 (curtain walls), EN 14351 (external windows and doors), EN 12152 and 12154 (air permeability and water tightness of curtain walls), EN 12354 (acoustic), EN ISO 10211 (thermal bridges).
DTU 33.1 (light facades), DTU 39 (glazing), DTU 44.1 (waterproofing), NV rules.
DIN 18008 (glass constructions), DIN 4109 (acoustic), DIN 4108 (thermal).
FIDIC for contractual frames, ISO 16933 and 16934 for blast, AAMA 501.1 and 501.2 for dynamic tests, ASTM E1105 for on-site water tightness.
See also Standards & Referentials for the full cross-cutting frame.
Three elements structure our technical engineering practice compared to that of a generalist or classic facade engineering firm. The first (dual industrial + computational grounding) is posed upfront; two others complete it.
Structural + thermal + computational + interfaces dimensioned in coherence at the engineering phase, not afterwards.
Each calculation integrates economic, normative and industrial constraints from the engineering phase, not afterwards. Structure dimensions in coherence with industrial pricing. Thermal dimensions in coherence with jurisdictional normative requirements. Computational dimensions in coherence with fabrication capabilities. This simultaneity is what distinguishes a live engineering practice from a series of compartmented calculations.
Structuring dimensions carried internally; expert partners mobilised for hyper-specialised analyses.
We carry internally the principal structuring dimensions (facade structure, dynamic thermal, computational) and we mobilise expert partners for hyper-specialised analyses beyond our perimeter (wind CFD on complex geometries, blast on projects with specific risk profile, complex seismic on strong seismic zones). The partnership logic is documented in the engagement modes section on the partner network.
This discipline fits within our whole envelope practice. Eight entry points to explore the immediate sister pages and the cross-cutting frame.
Our complete envelope engineering discipline, from concept to punch list.
Protection of architectural intent in VE phase against cost arbitrations.
Industrialisation from design to factory: DFMA, DFA, files exported to fabrication.
Industrial shadow pricing, P&L protection, secured envelope budget.
State-of-the-art specialties on risk- or signature-grade typologies.
Large-format glazing, DIN 18008, EN 16612, up to 3.2 × 18 m.
Multi-jurisdictional frame: SIA, Eurocodes, DIN, ASTM, FIDIC.
Pillar envelope engineering and design-chain leadership.