DESIGN AND ENGINEERING CAPABILITIES
With roots extending back to the creation of the glass curtainwall in the mid–twentieth century, MATERIA has deep experience and expertise with the array of design and engineering requirements characteristic of the building facade, including system design and analysis involving:
- Blast resistance
- Impact resistance
- Thermal performance
- Acoustical performance
- Facade systems testing
- Custom systems development
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
The ultimate success of a challenging building program is often rooted in the conceptual design. The decisions made (or not made) during concept development can have enormous impact as design and construction progress. This is also the time when the design team is often working with the least information. Our skill set is often solicited by the design team early in the process in the form of:
- Facade concept development
- Design development
- Price estimating
- Constructability review
In response to our clients needs, we have adopted advanced working methods and contracting strategies that facilitate the provision of these services in the most efficient and economical manner early in the design process.
3D MODELING AND FORM-FINDING
As a provider of innovative curtainwall systems, structural glass facades and other materials, the MATERIA design team is frequently involved with complex building form and surface geometry. In support of this work, the company has developed an extensive expertise in 3D modeling and advanced form-finding techniques. We develop all kind of systems, structures and aluminum profiles with 3D print support.
FACADE SYSTEM ANALYSIS
A remarkable aspect of the building skin is the number of performance attributes associated with it that can so impact overall building behavior, ranging from user comfort to energy consumption. Armed with a 3D building model, innovative software programs, and many years of experience, the MATERIA engineering team can provide a wide variety of analysis on the building facade beyond structural, including:
- Thermal: Therm, Window
- Acoustical: proprietary
- Daylighting: Radiance, 3D Studio
- Ventilation and convection: Flovent, ANSYS CFX
- Energy and climate: Ecotect, Climate Consultant.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
We are expert in the traditional design associated with building envelopes: wind, thermal, snow loads and building movements (including seismic). But the design capability only begins here. The firm has evolved the expertise to perform non-linear analysis as required to support advanced facade designs, including blast design and cable structures. MATERIA uses STAAD as its 3D static analysis software along with pre-programmed Mathcad templates for component design. FEA and non-linear analysis are supported by Strand and SpaceGASS.
Recent in-house research resulted in advancements in theories related to the deflection of thin plates, load sharing and pressure equalization models for spandrel and shadowbox cavities, as well as advanced component design for wall systems in hurricane zones
ADVANCED VISUALIZATION AND SIMULATION
The MATERIA design and engineering team employs a variety of analytical and visualization tools and techniques to create various simulations of building behavior. We also develop simulations to illustrate processes, with installation method prime among them. These tools and techniques are an important part of the way we work and communicate with our clients.
We use a variety of software tools to facilitate the visualization process, including: Autocad 3D, Rhinoceros, Grasshopper, 3D Studio, Maya, Revit, and others. Rapid prototyping and the extensive use of 3D mockups are also fundamental to our work process.
There are many applications for simulation, from heat transfer during design development to installation strategy. In fact, site constraints and installation concerns can become a predominant issue from the very beginning of many building projects. Our site operations teams have consistently developed innovative solutions to a wide variety of unique site and construction requirements. On many occasions our ability to demonstrate these solutions during the pre-award phase of a project has proven a valuable aid in site planning and logistics, and in facilitating coordination between subcontractors.
BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM)
BIM is an emergent technology that MATERIA has been actively involved with for years as both internal process, and increasingly, as part of a building program. The BIM program varies widely between projects, but MATERIA has demonstrated the adaptability to respond to any desired level of BIM development and interface with the design and build teams. We have worked on a variety of software platforms involving 3D, 4D and 5D components. Our regular Level Of Detail every time is LOD 400.
We have worked with the design team in developing an information model that can be passed to the build team, and we have worked with the build team in adapting design information models to the needs of construction.
LEED
The building facade has important implications for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system established by the Unites States Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED is a point-based rating system that certifies buildings to a uniform standard of energy and environmental criteria. Commercial building projects are increasingly pursuing LEED certification as developers recognize the beneficial aspects of a more efficient building. There are four levels on a 100 point scale, with basic certification requiring 40 points, Silver 50 points, Gold 60 points, and Platinum at a minimum of 80 points. Facade systems provided by MATERIA can works on many LEED certified buildings at all levels including Platinum. Our technical staff has worked with the design and build teams on these projects to assure that the influence of the building skin is optimized for LEED point considerations.
DESIGN ASSIST
MATERIA has provided design-assist services to leading architects on many projects. The AIA Best Practices document The Basics of Design-Assist Contracting, defines the practice as “a construction management method to improve quality and maintain cost.” The design-assist process has proven to be effective in mitigating the risk posed by unique and complex design requirements, and the use of emergent materials and specialized technology. Requests for information and changes are characteristically dramatically reduced. Design-assist is essentially a contractual method to involve the necessary specialty expertise as early as possible in the design process.
DESIGN BUILD
MATERIA provides most of its work on a design-build basis, meaning that the firm designs and engineers the custom facade solutions it provides, in addition to manufacturing and installing them. The design and engineering requirements range widely in scope and complexity. No project is too large or too complex for the firm’s sizeable and capable design and engineering team.
MATERIA can provide real support to build or fabricate our own facade designs or if our client needs, also we can install another facade project.