A façade is more than simply a skin surrounding the structure of a building; it provides occupant comfort through the facilitation of light and air, an opportunity to reduce energy consumption through high-performance materials and an effective strategy to reduce building and operational costs via smart, integrated design.

Through Inhabit’s multi-disciplinary approach to façade design, we go beyond the typical brief of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) to provide façades that are fundamentally driven by “smarter design” and not simply an add-on to the brief prior to the detailed design submission.

Using predictive analysis techniques to assess the performance of building systems, Inhabit can enhance façade design for comfort, energy and cost via the following compliance and optimised services:

Compliance and Rating Systems
Undertaking compliance requirements later in the projects lifecycle creates risks that impact on design cost. Early engagement provides an opportunity to generate building and operational cost reductions via a full understanding of the impacts of design decisions.

.  Section J Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions and Alternative Pathway Compliance
.  OTTV (Overall Thermal Transfer Value)
.  Building Sustainability Index (BASIX)
.  Green Rating Systems (LEED, Green Star, Estidama)

Optimisation
Once concept designs have been developed, a more detailed analysis is required to ensure those early opportunities are realised. In addition, the reality of changes in the design brief may require further analysis of a particular component of the design.

.  Energy Modelling Analysis
.  Renewable Energy Cost Benefit Analysis
.  Envelope Analysis
.  Lighting Analysis
.  Shading Analysis
.  Natural/Mixed Mode Analysis
.  Internal Glare Analysis
.  Reflective Analysis