SERVICES
Jonathan Wood Associates offers a complete range of specialist façade services, from design conception through to façade completion.
So whether you are looking to employ a comprehensive façade engineering consultancy, undertake an individual inspection or
require a specification report to meet compliance regulations,
we can support you.
Whichever level of involvement, what remains consistent throughout is our excellent standard of work, keen attention to detail and in-depth technical understanding. From managing a new-build, to rectifying an existing one, or restoring a piece of architectural history, you can confidently depend on our façade expertise.
From architectural concept, preparation of façade performance specification, design development, through to off-site and on-site inspection, Jonathan Wood Associates offers a complete façade and building envelope consultancy, which incorporates;
Scheme design, development and review
We apply a sound common sense approach, backed by extensive practical knowledge and professionalism, to all aspects of façade and building envelope scheme designs. We ensure that architectural and contractor façade design development is realistic and robust, taking into account aesthetics, longevity, safety and, of course, cost.
Quality assurance
You can rely on our practical in-depth knowledge of modern fabrication and construction techniques, expertise in working with both traditional and new materials, along with our ‘hands on’ experience in the sequencing of the installation of façade and building envelope systems, to ensure that an approved and compliant design criteria is met during the construction or refurbishment process.
Façade specification
Our façade performance specifications are tailored, extensive and comprehensive to incorporate critical technical standards, design code and compliance detail requirements. To ensure delivery of a robust façade installation, the following aspects are covered;
- Design performance requirements
- System performance testing
- Base materials
- Components, fabrications and assembly
- Material finishes
- Methods of construction.
Workmanship auditing and site monitoring
Construction companies and building developers alike have been protected from exposure to random workmanship and poor supervision by retaining our independent services, to police and monitor works in progress – significantly reducing the risk of inheriting a façade or complete building envelope that is defective at handover and saving thousands of pounds.
We inspect products assembled and constructed ‘off-site’ under factory conditions, prior to erection or installation on site. We implement regular Quality Assurance Auditing of Workmanship during and at appropriate ‘Hold Points’ in the construction process.
Our Independent Monitoring helps ensure compliance with design and specification by those installing the façade or building envelope system, is adhered to at every stage of the process.
Maintenance planning – to provide detailed schedules of maintenance activity and inspections to meet building standards
All facades old or new, traditional or modern require a certain level of maintenance to enhance and prolong the natural life-span.
The type of maintenance required does vary depending upon the façade, this could simply be the case of a requirement for specialised cleaning of the external surface finishes combined with regular over-haul of moving, or mechanical components which require attention at specified intervals, to ensure the optimum level of performance.
We are suitably qualified and experienced to offer our client base of building owners and occupiers the appropriate recommendation, advice and strategy, to ensure that ‘best practice’ planned maintenance procedures are rolled out, to protect ‘the façade’ aspects of property portfolios against defects and exposure to needless costly repairs. This can be the result of ignoring regular maintenance, which is, unfortunately, the case with many facades throughout the UK and indeed worldwide.
As specialist façade surveyors we are suitably qualified, experienced and adequately insured to provide the following services:
- Façade defects detection – to provide witness testing and detailed reporting on issues with façade integrity.
- Cladding failure reporting – to diagnose and recommend solutions for damage limitation and repair.
- Restoration advice – to aid preservation and restoration of mature façades, especially listed and heritage buildings.
- Maintenance planning – to provide detailed schedules of maintenance activity and inspections to meet building standards.
As the rigours of exposure to the elements impact heavily upon modern and traditional buildings in different ways, the façade plays a critical role in keeping buildings warm, dry, ventilated and fit for purpose.
Over the years, Jonathan Wood Associates have become adept at identifying and categorising areas of localised defects and potential risk that impact upon the life span of the façade.
We have extensive understanding of risk measures that can be practically implemented to resolve façade related concerns be it as a consequence of fire damage, water penetration, thermal failure and/or structural collapse.
Our inspection process includes:
- On-site inspection
- Written reports, recommendations and schedule of works
- Monitoring of implementation plans.
Façades require planned maintenance to enable them to perform as designed to meet their potential life-span. If defects are detected early enough then expensive repairs or replacements can be mitigated.
Our services are retained by developers and building owners to undertake defects or condition surveys ahead of occupation by new or existing tenants or prospective purchasers. We can establish diagnostics of any failure in the façade or building envelope prior to new rental or sale.
As specialist façade surveyors we are suitably qualified, experienced and adequately insured to provide the following services:
- Condition surveying – to identify the condition of existing and potential defects that require maintenance and repeat inspection.
- Diagnostic reporting – inspection to indicate the performance of any building envelope or façade system be it vertical or roof glazing, composite or profiled aluminium or steel panels, stone, curtain walling, rainscreen, windows, or balustrades.
- Cladding failure reporting – to diagnose and recommend solutions for damage limitation and repair.
- Façade defects detection – to provide witness testing and detailed reporting on issues with façade integrity.
- Restoration advice – to aid preservation and restoration of mature façades, especially listed and heritage buildings.
- Maintenance planning – to provide detailed schedules of maintenance activity and inspections to meet building standards.
Reporting
Each report we undertake is bespoke, comprehensive and includes:
- a recommended testing regime to diagnose any failure
- compilation of a recommended schedule of works for repair
- monitoring and supervision of any repair or refurbishment work.
The multi-faceted nature of façade construction is complex, with numerous interdependent suppliers to co-ordinate and monitor. Having worked across extensively we are able to offer you professional Project Management Services and associated advice in the following areas:
- Project planning and logistics
- Design co-ordination
- New build and refurbishment proposals
- Construction management
- Trouble shooting
- Health and safety advice
- Planning and development advice
- Build-ability advice
- Dilapidation surveys and schedule of works
- Destructive testing and investigation
- Main and sub-contract preparation
- Building contract dispute management
- Party wall agreements.
“We have retained JWA since 2005 to carry out technical roofing and cladding consultancy, including: Site based Quality Assurance/Control Technical installation, Drawing Reviews and trouble-shooting. JWA have always been very responsive to our requirements and provided good value-for-money across a number of different projects. We have found JWA’s independent consultancy status to be a benefit when working with our project teams and clients alike.”