Deutsch
English
English (Canada)
Español
Français
Italiano
Nederlands
Polski
Português
中文
Success
Having discussions about façade access systems early in a commercial building project's design stage matters. Why? One reason is complexity. Tall commercial buildings, for example—and the teams who develop them—keep reaching even greater physical and aesthetic heights. As the sizes and forms of buildings grow more impressive (i.e. complicated), it becomes more and more challenging to integrate systems that accomplish regulatory compliance, architectural appeal, and efficient access for exterior building maintenance.
However, when architects, contractors, and other stakeholders come together early enough in a project's design phase, the challenges that new buildings present are not only surmountable, but also wellsprings of possibility for what the project can achieve. Furthermore, by inviting experts like Façade Access NAM’s (North American) Integrated Design Services (IDS) team to those early meetings, you can facilitate a successful building project and ensure that exterior building maintenance will run smoothly in the long-term.
Design That Creates Aesthetics and Efficiency
Completing an exceptionally tall building or intricate structure is a remarkable accomplishment, but getting there requires holistic, objective consideration of the necessities. A building like the Burj Khalifa, for instance, is a staggering achievement. However, the façade access systems needed to reach the tens of thousands of glass panels that would need cleaning or replacement—not to mention the hundreds of thousands of square meters of curtain wall cladding—requiring care themselves.
Without considering exterior building maintenance needs like these, similarly momentous projects could become costly in the long run. Discovering these necessities after construction could lead to massive retrofitting costs. The more innovative a building is, the more custom solutions their chosen façade access manufacturers will have to develop.
Focusing on these considerations at the design stage has multiple benefits, including:
-
Design flexibility: For architects who want to incorporate grand vertical heights, or unique shapes with curved glass, louvers, and more into their designs, early façade access conversations can help you approach ambitious projects without compromising on safety or downgrading the artistic vision.
-
Improved efficiency: Incorporating façade access at the design stage can help architects and contractors come together to optimize placement of anchor points, walkways, and cleaning areas so maintenance and repair can immediately begin work when called on (more on efficiency below).
-
Future-state thinking: A beautiful design needs to be able to stand the tests of time as well. By discussing façade access solutions in a construction project's early stages, architects can demonstrate a forward-thinking approach—and further flexibility—by incorporating solutions that maintain aesthetics while being adaptable for shifting regulatory requirements.
By approaching Façade Access NAM’s IDS experts and façade access manufacturers at the design stage, we can work with you from the beginning to create custom solutions that help ensure this type of long-lasting success.
Planning That Improves Procedures
Including facade access discussions in a project’s design stage helps a building retain its beauty well past its completed construction. When implementing an exterior with full-height glazing, for instance, early conversations may reveal that the building also needs access to the interior for cleaning purposes (as was the case with The Edge building in Amsterdam, which solved for the issue by installing lightweight, customizable monorail paths).
By contacting Façade Access NAM’s IDS experts at the beginning of your commercial building project, we can facilitate conversations and design strategy with all your contractors while recommending custom solutions for your architectural vision. As a result, the completed project will maintain your architect's aesthetic goals while helping curtain wall, glass, and façade repair contractors achieve:
-
Accurate installation: For curtain wall contractors, knowing all of a project's access methods ahead of time can help them develop better installation strategies, which can lead to shorter time to completion (and potential cost savings as a result).
-
Simplified maintenance: For those working on exterior building maintenance, especially glass or glazing contractors and façade repair professionals, articulating the specifics of façade access systems well in advance can help them anticipate project timelines and plan processes before arriving on the job. This may result in faster cleaning or other work, as well as decreased downtime costs.
-
Efficient Repairs: In the course of their work, façade repair contractors will need to do highly targeted work on specific parts of a façade. Planning façade access systems in early stages, with special consideration for oddly shaped or intricately designed areas, can help workers reach, assess damages, and complete tasks with faster turnaround times, fewer disruptions, and reduced building downtime.
Start Early: Contact Integrated Design Solutions Experts
Aesthetics and functionality are only two-thirds of the conversation your project team should have at a building's design stage. You should always ensure your that all elements of your building project—including your façade access solutions—comply not only with OSHA regulations but also meet the guidance provided by CCOHS and the ASME A120.1 Industry Standard, along with other applicable industry guidelines, to uphold the highest safety standards for your building.
Guaranteeing that compliance, in addition to the structure's aesthetics and efficiency, is most successful at the design stage, especially when you include Façade Access NAM’s IDS experts in the project team's early conversations. With proven experience in multiple AEC and commercial maintenance applications across numerous sectors, like traditional and renewable energies, tower construction, educational institutions, and more, our experts can help you achieve the ambitious vision you're working toward.
To get started with your design project and meet your long-term exterior building maintenance needs, contact us today.