Facade Recladding & Renovation
For Existing & Occupied Buildings
Specialist facade consultants providing forensic diagnostics, recladding engineering, thermal retrofits, and facade modernization for occupied, aging, and historic buildings. We restore environmental integrity, eliminate water intrusion, and elevate architectural presence while buildings stay operational.
Modernizing Architectural Heritage and Upgrading Existing Skins
Renovating an existing building facade demands a far more forensic and adaptive engineering discipline than ground-up construction. Aging facades often conceal compromised structural anchors, interstitial condensation, failed perimeter seals, and non-compliant fire barriers. Moreover, modernization must frequently occur while offices remain productive, hotel guests remain undisturbed, and retail operations remain fully open.
Operating through our specialized brands Facade Recladding and Facade Preservation, we engineer tailored recladding, overcladding, and historic conservation solutions across 20+ Countries—from landmark heritage restorations such as The Plaza Hotel in New York to deep thermal retrofits and floor-by-floor occupied curtain wall replacements worldwide.
Strict zero-disruption phasing, negative-pressure dust partitions, and quiet working protocols.
Prioritizing overcladding and substructure reuse to significantly reduce embodied carbon compared with demolition and rebuild.
Calibrated NDT diagnostics, thermography, anchor pull tests, and verified AAMA 501.2 leak mapping.
At the Renovation or Recladding Stage of an Existing Asset
- Chronic water ingress, air infiltration, or glass thermal failure in an operational facility.
- An owner seeks to dramatically reduce energy EUI and attain LEED/BREEAM carbon ratings.
- Need to replace or overclad high-rise facade panels without vacating office or hotel tenants.
- Historic masonry, terra cotta, or copper mansards require petrographic and conservation approvals.
Our 8-Phase Renovation Delivery Framework
From initial forensic condition assessment to final warranty sign-off, our multidisciplinary specialists guide every phase of envelope modernization with measurable technical precision.
Condition Assessment
Non-destructive testing (NDT), calibrated thermal imaging, ultrasonic thickness checks, anchor pull tests, water leakage mapping, and comprehensive baseline envelope condition documentation.
Feasibility and Carbon Audit
Structural capacity modeling of existing slab edges; comparative embodied carbon lifecycle analysis (LCA) evaluating overcladding versus full re-skinning; hygrothermal WUFI simulations.
Occupied Safety Protocol
Engineer floor-by-floor logistics, internal dust/acoustic containment barriers, drop-catch debris netting, temporary weatherproofing details, and zero-disruption working window schedules.
Performance Detailing
Produce 100% complete CSI MasterFormat retrofit specifications; engineer high-tolerance interface flashings with irregular existing substrates; compile itemised Bills of Quantities (BOQ).
Tender and Descoping
Conduct specialized pre-bid contractor walkthroughs; clarify site access constraints; evaluate vendor experience in occupied re-skinning; issue unbiased bid evaluation matrices to owners.
Submittals and Mock-Ups
Review engineering calculations for new attachments to existing structures; audit retrofit silicone adhesion data; supervise on-site visual and field performance mock-ups.
Occupied Site QA / QC
Suspended-access bracket torque inspections; vapor retarder continuity verification; certified AAMA 501.2 water penetration testing on completed bays; proactive deficiency log resolution.
BMU and Handover
Retrofit or recertify Building Maintenance Units (BMU) and cradle tracks for new envelope profiles; compile 10-year preventative maintenance manuals; deliver digital twin closeout records.
Renovation System Typologies
We engineer solutions across all renovation typologies, tailoring structural attachments, thermal barriers, and weather seals to the unique constraints of existing architecture.
Overcladding and Ventilated Rainscreens
Installing high-performance solid aluminium, GRC, or terracotta rainscreen cassettes over existing exterior walls with continuous exterior insulation and back-ventilated drainage cavities.
- • Substrate anchor load pull-out testing
- • Non-combustible mineral wool continuous thermal wrap
- • Cavity fire-barrier compartmentalization
Occupied High-Rise Re-Skinning
Systematic floor-by-floor removal of failed curtain walls or ribbon glazing and replacement with custom unitised panels using interior dust barriers and zero-disruption staging.
- • Monorail-assisted exterior panel handling
- • Negative-pressure acoustic work zones
- • Same-day temporary weather-seal closures
Glazing and Thermal Upgrades
Replacing drafty single glazing or fogged IGUs with high-selectivity Low-E triple glazing, warm-edge spacers, and thermally broken aluminium framing to drastically reduce solar gain and heating loss.
- • U-value and SHGC thermal compliance
- • Acoustic STC/OITC interior noise reduction
- • Structural silicone reglazing compatibility
Historic Stone and Masonry Conservation
Forensic restoration of heritage facades: petrographic analysis of natural limestone/granite, crack stitching, terra cotta dutchman repairs, breathable lime mortars, and ornamental metal restoration.
- • Petrography and micro-chemical mortar testing
- • Stainless steel helicoidal crack stitching
- • Architectural heritage regulatory approvals
Cantilevered Sunshades and Louvers
Retrofitting cantilevered horizontal aerofoil fins, vertical solar louvers, and perforated metal screening to block intense solar radiation while rejuvenating facade aesthetics.
- • Dynamic wind vortex shedding and flutter checks
- • Thermal-break bracket connections to existing slabs
- • Integrated night accent lighting pathways
Condensation and Vapour Barrier Remediation
Diagnosing and curing hidden interstitial condensation, mold growth, and air leakage through continuous self-adhered vapour-permeable air barriers and perimeter slab-edge smoke seals.
- • Transient 2D WUFI hygrothermal modeling
- • Interstitial cavity moisture evacuation design
- • Certified smoke and perimeter fire containment
Specialist Services within Renovation Practice
Beyond standard engineering, Facade Recladding deploys focused expertise dedicated to occupied building continuity and embodied carbon optimization.
Occupied Building Delivery
Operational Continuity LogisticsA specialized operational framework for hotels, corporate headquarters, and healthcare facilities. Our team coordinates acoustic curtains, negative-pressure dust extraction, scheduled quiet hours, and rapid temporary enclosure details to ensure the building remains fully operational throughout envelope replacement.
Embodied Carbon Assessment
Circular Economy and Retrofit OptimizationRigorous Life Cycle Carbon Assessments (LCA) quantifying the embodied carbon saved by retaining structural backings versus total demolition. We engineer envelope overcladding solutions that optimize operational thermal performance while maximizing carbon return on investment.
Selected Landmark Facades
Representative facade renovation, recladding, and preservation projects engineered across North America, South Asia, and the Middle East.
Initiate a Renovation Consultation
Engage directly with our Project Executives. Share your existing building condition reports, architectural retrofit drawings, or leak diagnosis requirements to receive an initial technical evaluation.