TECHNICAL FACADE EXPERTISE

Design Development

Q: Does UKR design new-build and remediation facades?

Yes. UKR's design and technical capability supports both new-build facade projects and facade remediation, although the technical starting point differs considerably. New-build design develops around the proposed building, specified systems and wider project information. Remediation starts with an existing building, where retained construction, discovered conditions and interfaces between existing and replacement elements can influence the developing solution.

UKR Facades provides coordinated and robust design services for complex remediation and new-build projects. We are to support design development in a variety of way to support our clients needs, from providing only technical design portion through to complete design solutions incorporating all necessary specialist disciplines.

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Facade design development shown through BIM modelling and technical drawings

Close-up of facade installation work being completed at Grand Felda House development in Wembley

Discuss Your Facade Requirements

DESIGN INFORMED BY DELIVERY

Technical Thinking That Works on Site

A drawing ultimately has to work beyond the screen. Fixings need space, materials have tolerances, junctions have to meet and installation must be achievable within the conditions of the building and site.

UKR Facades combines in-house facade design and technical expertise with practical construction knowledge to develop coordinated, buildable solutions. We consider facade systems, performance requirements, interfaces and adjoining construction as a complete assembly, developing detailed technical information for both new-build and remediation projects.

Our designs are informed by extensive on-site experience, with buildability, sequencing and installation considered throughout the development. This contractor-led approach helps resolve challenges before they reach site and produces robust technical information that can be confidently procured and constructed.

Discuss Your Facade Requirements

FLEXIBLE DESIGN SUPPORT

Facade Design Expertise to Suit the Project

Different projects require different levels of design input from a contractor. Some clients already have architects and specialist consultants appointed, while others require UKR Facades to coordinate a broader design solution alongside the facade package.

UKR Facades can therefore provide either just technical design input to an existing wider design team, or coordinate and produce a complete design solution through each RIBA stage, incorporating specialist disciplines where required.

Detailed Facade Design

UKR Facades’ in-house design capability can provide a technical facade design portion, developing systems, interfaces and construction details around the requirements of the project.

Working with the Client’s Design Team

Where architects, fire engineers and structural engineers are already appointed by the client, UKR Facades collaborates with the wider design team to coordinate our facade designs with all necessary specialist disciplines.

Complete Design Solutions

Where required, UKR can coordinate a broader design solution, incorporating architectural, structural and fire-engineering input alongside its in-house facade design capability.

Flexible Design Delivery

The extent of UKR’s design responsibility can be tailored to the project, from a defined facade-design portion through to a coordinated multidisciplinary design solution.

Discuss a Project

DEVELOPING THE DETAIL

From Project Information to Construction Detail

Architectural information and project requirements establish the design intent, but facade design development takes that information further. Dimensions, system requirements, support arrangements, interfaces and junctions need additional consideration and detailing as the design progresses towards construction issues.

Through detailed design, this information is developed into coordinated elevations, sections and construction details using CAD and, where required, 3D BIM modelling. The design is developed around the selected facade systems, interfaces and building conditions, creating technical information to support procurement, manufacture and practical installation on site.

Facade design and development CAD drawing showing facade elevation, wall build-up and construction details

Project Information

Review architectural information, specifications and project-specific facade requirements.

System Development

Develop selected facade systems around the building, interfaces and performance requirements.

Facade Design

Develop coordinated elevations, sections and construction details using CAD and, where required, BIM.

Site Information

Prepare technical information to support procurement, manufacture and practical installation on site.

Facade interface coordination showing cladding, glazing, balcony, parapet, penetrations and structural connections

System to System Windows & Glazing Balconies Roofs & Parapets Openings & Penetrations Structure & Substrate

WHERE SYSTEMS MEET

Resolving the Details Between Systems

Facade complexity is often concentrated where different systems and elements meet. Windows, cladding, balconies, openings and facade terminations can bring together different materials, tolerances, support arrangements and performance requirements.

Coordinated technical detailing resolves these interfaces around the project requirements, helping adjoining systems come together as a buildable solution for installation on site.

Illustrative facade detail. Build-ups and details vary by project.

Facade complexity is often concentrated where different elements meet. Windows meet cladding, balconies interrupt elevations, materials change, and parapets terminate systems. At these junctions, different tolerances, materials and construction packages can converge. Drawing on experience across multiple facade systems, UKR Facades’ in-house design and technical team develops coordinated details around these interfaces, giving installation teams clearer information for how adjoining elements come together on site.

DESIGN INTO DELIVERY

From Buildable Detail to Site Installation

A facade detail can work perfectly on a drawing and still prove difficult to construct. Fixing space, tolerances, component sizes, access and installation sequence can all influence whether the proposed solution can be practically delivered on site.

Practical construction experience therefore feeds into technical development from the outset, allowing these realities to be considered before installation begins. As works progress, the design and technical team remains connected to delivery, reviewing dimensions, adjoining construction and emerging technical queries against the developed facade information.

Robust RFI and change control processes ensure design queries and site issues are formally raised, coordinated and resolved with the relevant members of the design team. Any proposed deviation from the approved design is subject to technical review and approval before implementation, maintaining clear design control and ensuring construction remains compliant with approved details.

Aerial view of Grand Felda House showing completed and construction-stage sections of the high-rise facade in Wembley

Construction site view of Grand Felda House in Wembley with multi-storey residential towers behind

WHY UKR FACADES

Facade Design Grounded in Delivery

In-house facade design expertise, specialist system knowledge and practical construction experience supporting coordinated technical development from design through to delivery.

In-House Facade Design

Dedicated facade design and technical expertise supporting detailed design development and coordination.

Flexible Design Capability

Design support tailored from a defined facade-design portion through to a broader coordinated design solution.

CAD & BIM Capability

Detailed facade information developed through CAD and, where required, BIM-based design and coordination.

Design-Team Coordination

Facade design coordinated with architectural, structural and fire-engineering input as required by the project.

Interface Coordination

Resident Liaison

Technical resolution where different facade systems, materials and adjoining elements come together.

Multi-System Knowledge

Technical knowledge across cladding, glazing, insulation, finishes and wider facade construction.

Buildability & Installation

Practical consideration of tolerances, fixings, interfaces and installation requirements during design development.

Design-to-Site Continuity

Technical knowledge maintained as developed facade information progresses into construction on site.

PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Facade Expertise Applied to Real Projects

Technical capability is best demonstrated through its application to real projects. Across new-build and remediation schemes, facade design must respond to the particular systems, interfaces, existing conditions and construction requirements of each building.

The level of design responsibility can also vary between projects. UKR Facades can provide detailed facade design within an existing consultant team or coordinate a broader design solution incorporating additional specialist disciplines where required, while maintaining a focus on coordinated, buildable information through to delivery.

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START WITH THE DETAIL

Need Technical Facade Input on Your Project?

Whether you require detailed facade design as part of an existing consultant team or a broader coordinated design solution, our technical team can support the systems, interfaces and specialist requirements involved in your project.

Talk to Our Technical Team

YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

Facade Design FAQs

What facade design services does UKR provide?

UKR Facades provides facade design and technical development for complex new-build and remediation projects. This can include facade elevations and sections, system development, construction details, interface coordination and technical information supporting procurement, manufacture and installation.

The scope can be tailored to the project. UKR may provide a defined facade-design portion within an established consultant team or coordinate a broader design solution incorporating additional specialist disciplines where required.

Can UKR provide a complete facade design solution?

Yes. UKR Facades can provide and coordinate a complete design solution, combining its in-house facade design capability with architectural, structural and fire-engineering input where required.

The precise scope depends on the project and agreed design responsibilities, with specialist professional duties remaining with the appropriately qualified consultants.

Does UKR provide CAD and BIM design?

Yes. Facade information can be developed using CAD and, where required by the project, BIM-based design and coordination.

These tools support the development of detailed facade information and coordination between systems, interfaces and the wider design team as the solution progresses towards construction.

How are different facade systems and interfaces coordinated?

Facade interfaces occur wherever different systems, materials or adjoining building elements meet. These can include cladding, glazing, insulation, balconies, parapets, openings, structural substrates and transitions between different facade finishes.

Technical development considers how these elements connect as part of the wider facade rather than treating each system independently. Coordinated details can then resolve junctions, support arrangements, tolerances and other project-specific requirements before installation.

Why is buildability important in facade design?

A technically developed facade detail must also be practical to construct. Tolerances, fixing space, component dimensions, interfaces and installation requirements can all influence whether a proposed solution can be successfully delivered on site.

Practical construction experience is therefore considered throughout design development, helping technical decisions respond to the realities of facade installation rather than being developed in isolation.

Can UKR work with an existing project design team?

Yes. Where the client already has an architect, structural engineer, fire engineer or other specialist consultants appointed, UKR Facades can provide the detailed facade-design portion and coordinate its information with the wider project team.

This allows facade systems, interfaces and construction details to be developed around the relevant architectural and specialist requirements without duplicating responsibilities already held elsewhere within the design team.

Does UKR design new-build and remediation facades?

Yes. UKR’s design and technical capability supports both new-build facade projects and facade remediation, although the technical starting point differs considerably.

New-build design develops around the proposed building, specified systems and wider project information. Remediation starts with an existing building, where retained construction, discovered conditions and interfaces between existing and replacement elements can influence the developing solution.

Can UKR support facade design on Higher-Risk Buildings?

Yes. UKR Facades has design and delivery experience on Higher-Risk Building projects, where facade information forms part of a wider coordinated design and regulatory process.

The technical team can develop and coordinate facade information within UKR’s agreed design responsibilities while working alongside the appropriately qualified specialists required by the project. Where dedicated support is required for projects progressing through the regulatory process, see our BSR Gateway Support service.