Precision time

The facades of new buildings are becoming increasingly complex, to satisfy exacting demands from clients and architects, meaning the role of engineers and manufacturers is expanding.

Complex facade designs are fast becoming the norm. Intricate facades, which seem to adorn each new architectural project that appears, are placing exceptional demands on the knowledge, experience and abilities of facade engineers, manufacturers and contractors.

As complex facades gain popularity among architects and building owners, the compromise between a project’s budget and the designer’s artistic license naturally gains significance. To strike the right balance, the previously defined lines between the many disciplines involved in facade design, supply and installation have blurred, in some cases almost beyond recognition.

In order to satisfy the elevated expectations of today’s owner or end user, there needs to be a fluent collaboration between architects, engineers and contractors. As project managers aim to deliver the most elaborate designs on budget and on time, and satisfy parties from all sides, careful planning is pivotal from the start.

To ensure the smooth running of a project, an integrated design process should be adopted from the kick-off. The success of a facade design and installation project will rely on good interaction and integration to bring the artistic vision and technical solution together. With an integrated design process in place, even the most complicated architectural vision can be realised.

The question of whether form should follow function is a moot point in the modern built environment. However even with the most beautiful facade design, in modern buildings the facade serves a very important series of roles: high performance, low maintenance and sustainability.

Much of modern facade engineering depends almost entirely on the client’s demands. As specifications grow more precise and exacting, the balance between budget and aesthetics becomes increasingly difficult to maintain, making the collaborative role between architects, engineers and contractors, once again, all the more important.

When a project does strike the perfect balance, the results can be truly spectacular. Balance is also key to the success of artistic facade designs, with the use of well-conceived colour. The emerging use of colour in facade engineering has, in recent years, developed as facade manufacturers offer a bespoke colour service.

Case study: Liberty Wharf, Jersey

The first phase of the Liberty Wharf project in Jersey started in March 2006 and is an exciting development in the design and installation of modern facades. However it also proved to be complex and challenging for its designers, engineers and contractors.
Located on the St. Helier waterfront, phase one of the project involved the new build of a transportation centre with offices and apart hotel above and a new commercial office to house Jersey Tourism. Completed by main contractor, Cameron’s, the project’s new main building consisted of a structural steel “sway frame” and featured an innovative facade solution.

To ensure the new development sat comfortably with its surroundings, a façade that would complement and enhance the existing granite wall structures of the disused abattoir buildings located to the rear of this phase was required. The solution to keeping the building’s architectural integrity was found with a textured Carea cladding panel. This was used in conjunction with glass and render to create a modern building that blends seamlessly with the original building.

With the installation of mixed material facades, a new series of logistical issues needed to be resolved. Each product varies in weight and density, requiring a flexible support system and immaculate joints for a faultless finish. The project was made more complicated by the building’s barrel-shaped focal point, requiring an intricate series of curved rainscreen cladding panels.

In total, approximately 1,300m2 of Carea’s Acantha black riven was used at Liberty Wharf, with every curved panel made to order. Using an individual mould for each tile, these were then cut to size before being fixed to the external wall using undercut anchors. The success of this project again rested heavily on the integrated design process that ensured all design, supply and installation targets were met.

Building Products - October 2010

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