Facade Engineering Course

Lesson 1 • Key Physical Principles

Introduces heat transfer, air and moisture movement, and solar radiation as drivers of facade design decisions.

Lesson 2 • Standards and Approval Frameworks

Explains how performance standards, building codes, and third-party testing govern facade acceptance without referencing specific code identifiers.

Lesson 3 • Role of the Building Envelope

Defines the facade as a climate separator, structural interface, and aesthetic surface. Connects envelope performance to occupant comfort and energy use.

Lesson 4 • Stakeholders and Project Delivery

Maps the roles of architects, facade engineers, contractors, and fabricators within typical project delivery models.

Lesson 1 • Connection Design Principles

Examines anchor, bracket, and splice connections that transfer facade loads to the primary structure. Addresses tolerance accommodation and movement.

Lesson 2 • Framing Member Behavior

Covers bending, shear, and deflection in mullions and transoms under lateral and gravity loads. Links member sizing to serviceability limits.

Lesson 3 • Facade-to-Structure Interface

Addresses inter-story drift, slab edge conditions, and differential movement between facade and primary structure.

Lesson 4 • Load Types Acting on Facades

Identifies wind, gravity, seismic, thermal, and blast loads relevant to facade design. Establishes load combinations used in structural checks.

Lesson 1 • Thermal Transmittance Calculations

Teaches U-value calculation for opaque and glazed facade elements using isothermal planes and numerical methods.

Lesson 2 • Condensation Risk Assessment

Applies dew-point analysis and interstitial condensation checks to facade cross-sections to prevent moisture damage.

Lesson 3 • Thermal Bridging Analysis

Identifies linear and point thermal bridges at brackets, frames, and penetrations and quantifies their impact on overall performance.

Lesson 4 • Solar Control Strategies

Evaluates shading devices, solar control glazing, and dynamic systems for reducing solar heat gain while maintaining daylight.

Lesson 1 • Sealant and Gasket Systems

Compares sealant types, gasket profiles, and their compatibility with substrates and movement requirements.

Lesson 2 • Water Management Design

Covers drainage planes, weep systems, and sill flashings that direct water out of the facade without interior penetration.

Lesson 3 • Acoustic Performance Principles

Introduces sound transmission loss, flanking paths, and facade acoustic ratings relevant to urban and airport-adjacent buildings.

Lesson 4 • Air Infiltration Control

Explains pressure-equalized and face-sealed design strategies and their effect on air leakage rates and energy performance.

Lesson 1 • Glazing Products and Properties

Compares monolithic, laminated, insulating, and coated glass products for structural, thermal, and optical performance.

Lesson 2 • Stone and Masonry Cladding

Addresses granite, limestone, and terracotta cladding systems, including anchor design and long-term durability risks.

Lesson 3 • Metal Cladding Materials

Covers steel, zinc, copper, and composite panel systems, addressing corrosion mechanisms and protective strategies.

Lesson 4 • Material Compatibility and Longevity

Evaluates chemical compatibility, UV degradation, and thermal cycling effects on multi-material facade assemblies.

Lesson 1 • Specification Writing for Facades

Teaches performance and prescriptive specification formats, including material standards, testing requirements, and submittals.

Lesson 2 • Tolerance and Buildability

Addresses manufacturing, erection, and structural tolerances and how adjustable connections absorb cumulative variation.

Lesson 3 • BIM Coordination for Facades

Applies building information modeling to facade design, clash detection, and fabrication data extraction.

Lesson 4 • Critical Interface Details

Focuses on head, sill, jamb, corner, and floor-line details that govern performance and constructability.

Lesson 1 • Logistics and Site Delivery

Addresses packaging, transport, and site storage of facade panels to prevent damage before installation.

Lesson 2 • Erection Sequence and Methods

Details anchor installation, panel hoisting, stacking, and alignment procedures for unitized and stick systems.

Lesson 3 • Site Quality and Commissioning

Covers site inspection, field testing, defect recording, and handover documentation to confirm installed performance.

Lesson 4 • Fabrication Processes and Quality

Covers extrusion, cutting, machining, and assembly processes in the facade fabrication shop and their quality control requirements.

Lesson 1 • Adaptive and Kinetic Facades

Analyzes motorized shading, responsive louvers, and shape-memory systems that adjust to environmental conditions.

Lesson 2 • High-Performance Glazing Systems

Evaluates vacuum glazing, aerogel panels, and triple-glazed units for ultra-low thermal transmittance applications.

Lesson 3 • Circular Economy in Facade Design

Applies design-for-disassembly, material reuse, and embodied carbon reduction strategies to facade system selection.

Lesson 4 • Double-Skin Facade Systems

Examines corridor, multistory, and shaft-box double-skin configurations for thermal, acoustic, and ventilation performance.