Upcoming Events
At Façade Intelligence, powered by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST), we host a range of live webinars, specialist seminars, and CPD-accredited short course launches.
Our events bring together leading experts in façade design, engineering, and building science, offering practical insights, technical knowledge, and opportunities for interactive learning.
Stay tuned for our next sessions and join us to keep your skills at the forefront of the industry.
Facade Movement and Tolerances
Facade Movement
and Tolerances
About This CPD
Every façade material moves. Clay expands, concrete shrinks, steel responds to temperature, and the structure deflects under load. This course provides architects and building design professionals with practical knowledge of movement accommodation and tolerance management – the discipline that keeps all of these behaviours from turning into cracking, leaking, or worse.
You’ll learn to calculate expected movements for common façade materials, determine joint widths and sealant specifications, and understand the critical interfaces where movement must be accommodated: floor-to-floor joints, corner details, material transitions, and connections to the primary structure. The course covers both the design principles and the reporting format expected by main contractors and checking engineers.
Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course uses real project tolerance reports and movement joint calculations to demonstrate how small coordination errors lead to cracking, sealant failure, water ingress, and panel distortion.
Through worked examples, joint design calculations, and tolerance schedules, this course equips you to produce robust movement and tolerance reports – and to understand the consequences when movement is underestimated or ignored.
Join the Façade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to access a comprehensive library of seminar recordings, a wide range of short courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST), and regular case study releases.
We guarantee our members a minimum of 24 hours of structured, high-quality CPD content each year, allowing professionals to continuously develop their expertise in façade design and engineering.
FI PRO Membership provides individuals and teams with the flexibility to explore a wide variety of specialist courses without any additional course fees.
Individual Membership
Join FI PRO today to start accessing our full CPD library.
Corporate Membership
For organisations looking to support the development of their teams, explore our Corporate Membership options or contact us at corporate@iast.uk.
All technical CPD courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology are free from advertising and commercial bias and are designed to promote best practices in façade design and engineering.
By joining FI PRO, you not only provide your team with engaging, relevant professional development opportunities, but also help support the continued development of the Façade Intelligence Knowledge Platform, contributing to higher standards of professional education across the construction industry.
Thermal Analysis of Multi-Layered Walls: Calculation and Compliance
Thermal Analysis of Multi-Layered Walls: Calculation and Compliance
About This CPD
This course takes architects and building design professionals through the thermal transmittance calculation for multi-layered wall assemblies – step by step, layer by layer. It covers the principles of steady-state heat transfer, thermal resistance of individual layers, surface resistances, and the combined U-value methodology used in international and European practice.
You’ll learn to build up a U-value calculation from external surface resistance through cladding, ventilated cavities, insulation, structural elements, and internal finishes. The course addresses repeating thermal bridges such as metal brackets and rail systems, explains the upper and lower resistance method for inhomogeneous layers, and demonstrates when numerical modelling is required instead of simplified calculation.
Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course uses real wall build-ups from current projects to demonstrate how material selection, cavity ventilation, and bracket density affect the final U-value – and how small specification changes can push a wall assembly above or below regulatory compliance thresholds.
With step-by-step calculation worksheets and comparison tables, this course is designed to help you verify U-value calculations submitted by contractors and spot the common errors and optimistic assumptions before they become built problems.
Join the Façade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to access a comprehensive library of seminar recordings, a wide range of short courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST), and regular case study releases.
We guarantee our members a minimum of 24 hours of structured, high-quality CPD content each year, allowing professionals to continuously develop their expertise in façade design and engineering.
FI PRO Membership provides individuals and teams with the flexibility to explore a wide variety of specialist courses without any additional course fees.
Individual Membership
Join FI PRO today to start accessing our full CPD library.
Corporate Membership
For organisations looking to support the development of their teams, explore our Corporate Membership options or contact us at corporate@iast.uk.
All technical CPD courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology are free from advertising and commercial bias and are designed to promote best practices in façade design and engineering.
By joining FI PRO, you not only provide your team with engaging, relevant professional development opportunities, but also help support the continued development of the Façade Intelligence Knowledge Platform, contributing to higher standards of professional education across the construction industry.
Engineering the Envelope: Structural Load Assessment for Façades
Engineering the Envelope: Structural Load Assessment for Façades
About This CPD
Before anything can be sized, the loads must be known. This course provides architects and building design professionals with practical knowledge of structural load assessment for façade systems – covering self-weight, imposed loads, wind pressure and suction, seismic actions where applicable, impact loads, and the load combinations required by relevant structural design codes.
You’ll learn to trace the load path from the outermost cladding component through brackets, rails, and fixings into the primary structure. The course explains how to determine characteristic and design values, apply partial safety factors, and understand the difference between serviceability and ultimate limit state checks as they apply to façade elements.
Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course uses real façade load schedules and structural calculation extracts to show how loads are tabulated, combined, and communicated between the façade designer and the structural engineer.
Through load diagrams, calculation templates, and project examples, this course helps you read and review structural calculations with confidence – and understand where design responsibilities lie between architect, structural engineer, and façade subcontractor.
Join the Façade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to access a comprehensive library of seminar recordings, a wide range of short courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST), and regular case study releases.
We guarantee our members a minimum of 24 hours of structured, high-quality CPD content each year, allowing professionals to continuously develop their expertise in façade design and engineering.
FI PRO Membership provides individuals and teams with the flexibility to explore a wide variety of specialist courses without any additional course fees.
Individual Membership
Join FI PRO today to start accessing our full CPD library.
Corporate Membership
For organisations looking to support the development of their teams, explore our Corporate Membership options or contact us at corporate@iast.uk.
All technical CPD courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology are free from advertising and commercial bias and are designed to promote best practices in façade design and engineering.
By joining FI PRO, you not only provide your team with engaging, relevant professional development opportunities, but also help support the continued development of the Façade Intelligence Knowledge Platform, contributing to higher standards of professional education across the construction industry.
Thermal Bridging in Façade Systems: Point, Linear and FEA-Based U-Value Analysis
Thermal Bridging in Façade Systems: Point, Linear and FEA-Based U-Value Analysis
About This CPD
Opaque cladding thermal performance is governed by what happens behind the visible surface: ventilated cavities, discontinuous insulation layers, and hundreds of metallic brackets penetrating the thermal envelope. This course gives architects and design professionals focused knowledge of U-value assessment specific to rainscreen cladding and overcladding systems – where the support structure, not just the insulation, determines the real thermal performance.
You’ll learn to quantify the thermal impact of rail-and-bracket support systems using psi and chi values. The course demonstrates how bracket material (steel vs aluminium vs stainless), spacing density, and stand-off distance change the result – and when a 2D or 3D numerical simulation is necessary because the simplified method is no longer accurate enough.
Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course uses real cladding system build-ups – including mechanical brick slip, terracotta rainscreen, and aluminium cassette systems – to show how the same insulation thickness can deliver very different U-values depending on the support system behind it.
This course is designed to help you evaluate U-value claims from cladding manufacturers, identify where optimistic assumptions hide, and understand why the bracket system – not just the insulation – is where thermal performance is won or lost in opaque façades.
Join the Façade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to access a comprehensive library of seminar recordings, a wide range of short courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST), and regular case study releases.
We guarantee our members a minimum of 24 hours of structured, high-quality CPD content each year, allowing professionals to continuously develop their expertise in façade design and engineering.
FI PRO Membership provides individuals and teams with the flexibility to explore a wide variety of specialist courses without any additional course fees.
Individual Membership
Join FI PRO today to start accessing our full CPD library.
Corporate Membership
For organisations looking to support the development of their teams, explore our Corporate Membership options or contact us at corporate@iast.uk.
All technical CPD courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology are free from advertising and commercial bias and are designed to promote best practices in façade design and engineering.
By joining FI PRO, you not only provide your team with engaging, relevant professional development opportunities, but also help support the continued development of the Façade Intelligence Knowledge Platform, contributing to higher standards of professional education across the construction industry.
Thermal Performance of Curtain Wall Façades: Calculation and Compliance
Thermal Performance of Curtain Wall Façades: Calculation and Compliance
Registration will open soon. Join the Facade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to receive priority access to this seminar.
About This CPD
Curtain walling thermal calculation works nothing like opaque cladding. Instead of a layered wall with point thermal bridges, the overall U-value is assembled from separate zone calculations – centre-of-pane, edge-of-glass, frame, and spandrel – each with its own thermal behaviour, then area-weighted into a single representative value. This course gives architects and design professionals the knowledge to understand and interrogate that process.
You’ll learn what really drives the numbers in a curtain wall thermal report. Frame geometry and thermal break design often dominate the result far more than glass selection. The course explains how mullion depth, break material, cap profile, and the ratio of vision to spandrel area interact – and why a system that performs well at one module width may fail at another simply because the frame percentage increases.
Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course uses real curtain wall thermal reports and product-specific frame sections to demonstrate how small changes in frame depth, thermal break material, or module proportions can shift the overall U-value enough to move a façade from compliant to non-compliant.
With annotated thermal simulation outputs and comparative frame studies, this course helps you evaluate curtain wall thermal performance claims, understand why the frame – not the glass – is usually the thermal weak point, and write thermal specifications that address the right parameters.
Join the Façade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to access a comprehensive library of seminar recordings, a wide range of short courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST), and regular case study releases.
We guarantee our members a minimum of 24 hours of structured, high-quality CPD content each year, allowing professionals to continuously develop their expertise in façade design and engineering.
FI PRO Membership provides individuals and teams with the flexibility to explore a wide variety of specialist courses without any additional course fees.
Individual Membership
Join FI PRO today to start accessing our full CPD library.
Corporate Membership
For organisations looking to support the development of their teams, explore our Corporate Membership options or contact us at corporate@iast.uk.
All technical CPD courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology are free from advertising and commercial bias and are designed to promote best practices in façade design and engineering.
By joining FI PRO, you not only provide your team with engaging, relevant professional development opportunities, but also help support the continued development of the Façade Intelligence Knowledge Platform, contributing to higher standards of professional education across the construction industry.
Surface Condensation Risk Assessment
Surface Condensation Risk Assessment
Registration will open soon. Join the Facade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to receive priority access to this seminar.
About This CPD
Surface condensation at thermal bridges causes mould, staining, and occupant complaints – and is one of the most common post-completion defects in modern buildings. This course gives architects and building design professionals practical knowledge of surface condensation risk assessment for façade and window systems, covering the physics of dewpoint, internal surface temperature, and the temperature factor fRsi.
You’ll learn to calculate the temperature factor at critical junctions – window frames, sill details, column penetrations, and balcony connections – and compare results against the threshold required to avoid mould growth. The course addresses why some thermal bridges are acceptable in certain humidity conditions and critical in others, and explains how internal environment classification affects the assessment.
Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course uses real thermal modelling outputs at typical façade junctions to demonstrate how surface temperature distribution reveals condensation risk – and how remedial measures such as insulation returns and thermal breaks resolve the problem.
Combining thermal bridge analysis outputs, fRsi calculations, and junction detail studies, this course helps you identify condensation-prone details at the design stage, evaluate thermal bridge reports from consultants, and specify remedial measures with confidence.
Join the Façade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to access a comprehensive library of seminar recordings, a wide range of short courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST), and regular case study releases.
We guarantee our members a minimum of 24 hours of structured, high-quality CPD content each year, allowing professionals to continuously develop their expertise in façade design and engineering.
FI PRO Membership provides individuals and teams with the flexibility to explore a wide variety of specialist courses without any additional course fees.
Individual Membership
Join FI PRO today to start accessing our full CPD library.
Corporate Membership
For organisations looking to support the development of their teams, explore our Corporate Membership options or contact us at corporate@iast.uk.
All technical CPD courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology are free from advertising and commercial bias and are designed to promote best practices in façade design and engineering.
By joining FI PRO, you not only provide your team with engaging, relevant professional development opportunities, but also help support the continued development of the Façade Intelligence Knowledge Platform, contributing to higher standards of professional education across the construction industry.
Structural Logic of Façade Systems: A Comparative Guide
Structural Logic of Façade Systems: A Comparative Guide
Registration will open soon. Join the Facade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to receive priority access to this seminar.
About This CPD
Not everything on a façade needs a bespoke calculation – but knowing which components do, and who is responsible for producing those calculations, is essential for anyone reviewing a façade engineering submission. This introductory course maps the full scope of structural verification across a typical façade package: from glass panels and cladding fixings through to mullion sections, brackets, anchors, and connections to the primary structure.
You’ll learn to identify the calculation items that must appear in a submission, understand the difference between manufacturer standard calculations and project-specific design, and recognise where gaps commonly appear – particularly at interfaces between the façade subcontractor’s scope and the structural engineer’s scope.
Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course uses a typical façade package checklist to walk through each component that needs verification, explaining what level of calculation is expected, which design principles apply, and where responsibility typically sits under different procurement routes.
Structured as a practical checklist with real submission examples, this course serves as an essential reference for design professionals who need to confirm that nothing critical has been missed when reviewing façade engineering packages
Join the Façade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to access a comprehensive library of seminar recordings, a wide range of short courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST), and regular case study releases.
We guarantee our members a minimum of 24 hours of structured, high-quality CPD content each year, allowing professionals to continuously develop their expertise in façade design and engineering.
FI PRO Membership provides individuals and teams with the flexibility to explore a wide variety of specialist courses without any additional course fees.
Individual Membership
Join FI PRO today to start accessing our full CPD library.
Corporate Membership
For organisations looking to support the development of their teams, explore our Corporate Membership options or contact us at corporate@iast.uk.
All technical CPD courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology are free from advertising and commercial bias and are designed to promote best practices in façade design and engineering.
By joining FI PRO, you not only provide your team with engaging, relevant professional development opportunities, but also help support the continued development of the Façade Intelligence Knowledge Platform, contributing to higher standards of professional education across the construction industry.
Interstitial Condensation in Façades: The Glaser Method
Interstitial Condensation in Façades: The Glaser Method
Registration will open soon. Join the Facade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to receive priority access to this seminar.
About This CPD
Condensation inside the wall – invisible and often undetected until damage is done – is one of the most insidious risks in façade construction. This course provides architects and building design professionals with practical knowledge of interstitial condensation assessment using the Glaser steady-state method: the procedure for determining temperature and vapour pressure profiles through a multi-layered wall to identify whether and where moisture will accumulate.
You’ll learn to construct a Glaser diagram step by step, plotting the saturation vapour pressure curve against the actual vapour pressure profile and interpreting the results. The course explains the role of vapour control layers, the effect of layer order on condensation risk, and the critical difference between seasonal accumulation and evaporation potential. Common mistakes are highlighted: misplaced VCLs, omitted air gaps, and reliance on vapour-open constructions without verification.
Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course uses real wall build-ups – including insulated rainscreen, timber-frame with cladding, and warm-roof parapets – to demonstrate how the Glaser method reveals hidden condensation risks that are invisible on a standard detail drawing.
With hand-calculation worksheets and graphical Glaser diagrams, this course builds confident calculation skills – and helps you recognise where the Glaser method reaches its limits and dynamic simulation is needed instead.
Join the Façade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to access a comprehensive library of seminar recordings, a wide range of short courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST), and regular case study releases.
We guarantee our members a minimum of 24 hours of structured, high-quality CPD content each year, allowing professionals to continuously develop their expertise in façade design and engineering.
FI PRO Membership provides individuals and teams with the flexibility to explore a wide variety of specialist courses without any additional course fees.
Individual Membership
Join FI PRO today to start accessing our full CPD library.
Corporate Membership
For organisations looking to support the development of their teams, explore our Corporate Membership options or contact us at corporate@iast.uk.
All technical CPD courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology are free from advertising and commercial bias and are designed to promote best practices in façade design and engineering.
By joining FI PRO, you not only provide your team with engaging, relevant professional development opportunities, but also help support the continued development of the Façade Intelligence Knowledge Platform, contributing to higher standards of professional education across the construction industry.
Glazing Specification for Façades: A Parameter-Based Selection Guide
Glazing Specification for Façades: A Parameter-Based Selection Guide
Registration will open soon. Join the Facade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to receive priority access to this seminar.
About This CPD
An insulating glass unit is defined by dozens of parameters, and changing any one of them affects the others. This course provides architects and building design professionals with practical knowledge of IGU specification and selection, covering glass type and thickness, cavity width and gas fill, low-emissivity coatings, solar control coatings, acoustic interlayers, and the implications of each choice on thermal, solar, acoustic, and visual performance.
You’ll learn to read and interpret IGU performance data – centre-of-pane U-value, g-value, light transmittance, and weighted sound reduction index – and understand the trade-offs between competing requirements. The course demonstrates how to select an IGU that simultaneously meets thermal targets, overheating limits, acoustic requirements, and the aesthetic expectations of the design team.
Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course uses real manufacturer data and product comparison tables to demonstrate how apparently similar glass specifications deliver very different performance outcomes – and how specification language must be precise enough to prevent substitution.
Combining IGU performance comparison matrices with specification writing guidance, this course helps you choose the right IGU for each application, protect performance intent in your specifications, and evaluate contractor-proposed alternatives during value engineering.
Join the Façade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to access a comprehensive library of seminar recordings, a wide range of short courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST), and regular case study releases.
We guarantee our members a minimum of 24 hours of structured, high-quality CPD content each year, allowing professionals to continuously develop their expertise in façade design and engineering.
FI PRO Membership provides individuals and teams with the flexibility to explore a wide variety of specialist courses without any additional course fees.
Individual Membership
Join FI PRO today to start accessing our full CPD library.
Corporate Membership
For organisations looking to support the development of their teams, explore our Corporate Membership options or contact us at corporate@iast.uk.
All technical CPD courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology are free from advertising and commercial bias and are designed to promote best practices in façade design and engineering.
By joining FI PRO, you not only provide your team with engaging, relevant professional development opportunities, but also help support the continued development of the Façade Intelligence Knowledge Platform, contributing to higher standards of professional education across the construction industry.
Facade Access and Maintenance: Systems, Strategy and Compliance
Facade Access and Maintenance:
Systems, Strategy and Compliance
About This CPD
Façade access is often the last thing considered in design – and the first thing that causes problems in operation. This course addresses the full scope of access planning, from initial design-stage decisions through to 60-year maintenance strategy, covering BMU systems, abseil provisions, cradle installations, and ground-level reach solutions.
You’ll learn how access strategy shapes façade design from the earliest stages: roof-level plant zones, parapet details, tie-back anchor locations, and the implications of building geometry on cleaning and inspection reach. The course also addresses the practical coordination required between façade engineers, architects, and access specialists, alongside the health and safety obligations that apply to maintenance access design.
Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course draws on real project examples to demonstrate how early access planning prevents costly retrofit solutions and ensures that inspection, cleaning, component replacement, and sealant renewal remain feasible throughout the building’s service life.
Combining elevation studies, access zone diagrams, and maintenance schedule templates, this course is designed to help you integrate access strategy into the design process rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Join the Façade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to access a comprehensive library of seminar recordings, a wide range of short courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST), and regular case study releases.
We guarantee our members a minimum of 24 hours of structured, high-quality CPD content each year, allowing professionals to continuously develop their expertise in façade design and engineering.
FI PRO Membership provides individuals and teams with the flexibility to explore a wide variety of specialist courses without any additional course fees.
Individual Membership
Join FI PRO today to start accessing our full CPD library.
Corporate Membership
For organisations looking to support the development of their teams, explore our Corporate Membership options or contact us at corporate@iast.uk.
All technical CPD courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology are free from advertising and commercial bias and are designed to promote best practices in façade design and engineering.
By joining FI PRO, you not only provide your team with engaging, relevant professional development opportunities, but also help support the continued development of the Façade Intelligence Knowledge Platform, contributing to higher standards of professional education across the construction industry.
The Brick Facade Spectrum: Brickslips, Precast, Render and Facing Brick
The Brick Facade Spectrum:
Brickslips, Precast, Render and
Facing Brick
About This CPD
This comprehensive technical CPD course provides architects and building design professionals with practical knowledge of masonry-like cladding systems. The course covers traditional supported masonry, mechanically-fixed brick slip systems, adhesive-fixed systems, insulated prefab panels, rendered brick-effect finishes, and precast concrete solutions – examining up to ten distinct ways to achieve a brick façade appearance.
You’ll learn to compare systems across key performance criteria: self-weight, fire classification, installation speed, programme impact, cost, and long-term durability. The course explains the critical differences between mechanical retention and adhesive-only bonding, addresses fire classification requirements and height restrictions that govern system selection, and examines documented cases of adhesive de-bonding and slip detachment to illustrate how specification decisions carry long-term consequences.
Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course combines regulatory context with practical application, using side-by-side system comparisons, certification data, and project case studies to show how each system performs in practice.
Using clear diagrams, technical data sheets, and manufacturer specifications, this course builds evidence-based understanding. It’s designed to help you specify appropriate masonry-like cladding systems whilst recognising the common pitfalls, design errors, and specification gaps that lead to failures on site.
Join the Façade Intelligence Professional Membership (FI PRO) to access a comprehensive library of seminar recordings, a wide range of short courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST), and regular case study releases.
We guarantee our members a minimum of 24 hours of structured, high-quality CPD content each year, allowing professionals to continuously develop their expertise in façade design and engineering.
FI PRO Membership provides individuals and teams with the flexibility to explore a wide variety of specialist courses without any additional course fees.
Individual Membership
Join FI PRO today to start accessing our full CPD library.
Corporate Membership
For organisations looking to support the development of their teams, explore our Corporate Membership options or contact us at corporate@iast.uk.
All technical CPD courses developed by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology are free from advertising and commercial bias and are designed to promote best practices in façade design and engineering.
By joining FI PRO, you not only provide your team with engaging, relevant professional development opportunities, but also help support the continued development of the Façade Intelligence Knowledge Platform, contributing to higher standards of professional education across the construction industry.
Balconies and Terraces – Design Principles
Balconies and Terraces – Design Principles
Understanding UK Requirements for Safety, Drainage, Fire Performance, and Integration
About This CPD
Join us for a comprehensive technical CPD on balcony and terrace design in the UK. This session provides practical guidance on safety, drainage, fire performance, thermal bridges, wind effects, and acoustic considerations.
Presented by Eugene Korch (IAST), this webinar demystifies the complex interplay between multiple performance requirements, helping design professionals understand how to specify compliant balconies whilst navigating the areas where interpretation and engineering judgement remain necessary.
This session covers:
Key definitions – distinguishing balconies, terraces, enclosed balconies, and non-balcony building projections
Safety requirements – guarding height (1,100mm rule), 100mm sphere test for preventing objects falling through, toe holds, slip resistance (PTV requirements), threshold heights, structural strength and deflection limits, imperforate soffits to prevent water discharge onto balconies below
Drainage design – one of the most critical aspects. Understanding drainage strategies: edge drainage vs piped drainage systems, key dimensional requirements and water management hierarchy
The 2,500mm edge drainage limit – absolute maximum depth for edge-drained balconies
Fire safety – material requirements for residential buildings, balcony-to-building connections and fire barriers
Thermal bridges – quantifying heat loss through balcony connections and mitigation strategies
Wind effects – vulnerable locations and mitigation measures
Integration challenges – understanding how decisions in one area affect other performance requirements
Common design errors – and how to avoid them
Using simplified diagrams, real-world examples, this CPD focuses on practical application. We'll explore not just what standards require, but also the areas where standards leave room for interpretation – helping you understand both the explicit requirements and where professional judgement is required.
What You'll Learn
Distinguish between balconies, terraces, enclosed balconies, and building projections that are not balconies
Understand basic structural requirements for balcony design
Apply core safety principles for fall prevention
Understand guarding height requirements
Apply fire safety requirements for residential buildings
Implement the 100mm sphere rule for preventing objects falling through
Design for slip resistance on balcony surfaces
Recognize wind-vulnerable balcony locations and apply mitigation measures
Design drainage systems using edge or piped drainage methods appropriately
Understand critical water ingress prevention: threshold height, warning pipe position, water collection levels
Apply the 2,500mm maximum depth limitation for edge drainage
Understand optimal balcony arrangement patterns on building facades for acoustic and environmental performance
Identify and mitigate thermal bridges at balcony connections
Understand how balconies affect acoustic performance
Integrate multiple technical requirements in balcony specifications
Identify and avoid common design errors
Who Should Attend
Architects, Architectural Technologists, Envelope Designers, Façade Specialist Contractors, Junior Façade Engineers, Building Envelope Consultants, Structural Engineers, Developers, Project Managers, Building Control Officers, Regulators, Cost Consultants, and Planning Consultants.
This session is designed for design professionals working on residential or mixed-use developments with balconies and terraces, particularly those navigating the complexities of medium and high-rise construction, but who may not have specialist acoustic engineering, structural, fire safety, or other specific technical backgrounds.
Speakers
Eugene Korch
Programme Director, IAST
Eugene is a façade engineer and educator who leads educational initiatives through the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST) and Facade Intelligence, delivering training to construction professionals.
Event Details
Format: Live online webinar with interactive polls
Duration: 45 minutes + Q&A
CPD Points: 2 hours structured CPD / 2 Learning Units
Certificate: CPD certificate provided upon completion
Recording: Available on demand to members only
Route to Chartership in Architectural Technology via DipFDE Qualification and MCIAT Professional Assessment: Facade Design Pathway
Route to Chartership in Architectural Technology via DipFDE Qualification and MCIAT Professional Assessment: Facade Design Pathway
Opportunity to further enhance your competence in facades as a Chartered professional with CIAT and IAST
CIAT and IAST are pleased to announce that members with a Level 5 Diploma in Facade Design and Engineering (DipFDE) are eligible to join CIAT as either an Associate (ACIAT) member or CIAT Affiliate and then progress to qualify as a Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT) via the MCIAT Professional Assessment qualification route and the Façade Design pathway. Becoming a Chartered professional offers globally recognised professional status that demonstrates your commitment to the highest ethical and technical standards in the field.
Learn more about routes to Chartership with CIAT:
The Level 5 DipFDE is an online qualification programme tailored for busy professionals who want to build applicable knowledge and demonstrate competence in façade design and engineering. The course combines video lessons, knowledge tests, interactive 3D details, case studies, and live online tutorials, providing a comprehensive, engaging and practice-focused learning experience.
The IAST offers learning options that may be of interest to CIAT members and affiliates who wish to develop and/or further enhance their knowledge in façade design and engineering. Learn More about the Level 5 Diploma in Facade Design and Engineering (DipFDE) Qualification Programme.
https://www.iast.uk/courses/level5-dipfde
If you are interested in finding out more, please register your interest to join a dual badged CIAT and IAST webinar on 26th of February 2026, which will cover CIAT joining and qualifying routes, along with the key benefits of the DipFDE Programme.
The session will be hosted by James Banks, Head of Membership, Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) (j.banks@ciat.global) and Eugene Korch, Facade Design and Engineering Programme Director from the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST). For DipFDE enrolment-related queries, please contact info@iast.uk.
Join the webinar to learn more and ask your questions directly during the live Q&A.
Register to attend the live online event!
Acoustic Glass Performance Fundamentals
Acoustic Glass Performance Fundamentals
An Introduction to Glass Specifications and Acoustic Performance Metrics
About This CPD
Join us for an introductory technical CPD on acoustic glass performance. This session provides the foundation for understanding glass specifications and how they relate to sound insulation in building envelopes.
Presented by Eugene Korch (IAST) and Marc Fuzellier (Atelier Crescendo), this webinar demystifies the terminology and metrics used in acoustic glass specifications, helping design professionals understand the fundamentals before engaging with specialist consultants or manufacturers.
This introductory session covers:
Reading glazing unit formulas – understanding glass types, thicknesses, spacers, gas fills, and laminated construction
Sound fundamentals – frequency ranges, sound intensity, and real-world noise sources
Acoustic metrics – Rw values, spectrum adaptation terms (C and Ctr), and their applications
Design parameters – mass, asymmetry, cavity tuning, and laminated interlayers
Common misconceptions – clarifying which parameters affect acoustic performance and which don't
Using simplified diagrams and conceptual explanations, this CPD focuses on building foundational knowledge. This is an introductory session – it provides the vocabulary and framework you'll need when working with acoustic consultants and reviewing manufacturer specifications.
What You'll Learn
Interpret glazing unit specifications and understand each component's role
Differentiate between annealed, toughened, and heat-strengthened glass
Understand different interlayer types and their roles in acoustic performance
Recognize how spacer types, cavity widths, and gas fills relate to performance
Identify sound frequencies and their real-world sources
Understand Rw, C, and Ctr values and when each is relevant
Recognize which glass parameters impact acoustic performance, and which common assumptions are incorrect
Who Should Attend
Architects, Architectural Technologists, Envelope Designers, Façade Specialist Contractors, Junior Façade Engineers, Building Envelope Consultants, Structural Engineers, Developers, Project Managers, Building Control Officers, Regulators, and Cost Consultants.
This session is designed for design professionals who need foundational knowledge of acoustic glass terminology and metrics, particularly those who work with acoustic consultants or review glass specifications but may not have specialist acoustic engineering backgrounds.
Speakers
Eugene Korch
Programme Director, IAST
Eugene is a façade engineer and educator who leads educational initiatives through the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST) https://www.iast.uk and Facade Intelligence, delivering training to construction professionals.
Marc Fuzellier
Acoustic Consultant, Director at Atelier Crescendo
Marc founded Atelier Crescendo https://ateliercrescendo.ac/ in 2020 after gaining experience in reputable independent and multi-disciplinary consultancies (including WSP), in a variety of fields such as architectural acoustics, environmental noise, building services noise and vibration.
Over his career, Marc has worked on a broad range of projects from small-scale developments to large-scale international projects. He is a full member of the Institute of Acoustics, a member of the Audio Engineering Society, and a member of the Société Française d'Acoustique.
Event Details
Format: Live online webinar with interactive polls
Duration: 45 minutes + Q&A
CPD Points: 2 hours structured CPD / 2 Learning Units
Certificate: CPD certificate provided upon completion
Recording: Available on demand to members only
Brick Slips vs Precast
Brick Slips vs Precast: Modern Brick Finish Façades
Case-study-based Online CPD Seminar
Brick façades are everywhere in contemporary architecture—but very few are constructed as traditional masonry.
In dense urban environments, external access is restricted, storage is limited, and scaffolding is often unfeasible.
This raises a fundamental question: how do you deliver a high-quality brick façade when conventional brickwork simply cannot be used?
This live CPD examines a London-based case study that pushed the limits of modern brick façade engineering.
The façade features unusual brick bonding, extremely slender piers and ledges, and a requirement for visually continuous brickwork without visible movement joints—conditions in which standard bricklaying becomes impossible.
We will compare two modern solutions for achieving brick finishes under these constraints:
Precast concrete façades with cast-in brick
Rainscreen systems using brickslips
Using the case study as a framework, we will explore how each system responds to the critical challenges of contemporary façade design.
Rather than focusing on appearance alone, we look at the practical engineering decisions that drive system choice:
Access and installation methods
Water management and moisture pathways
Logistics, sequencing, and programme impact
Movement joints and continuity of brick bond
Integration of windows and openings
Fire safety strategies and cavity behaviour
By the end of the session, attendees will understand not only how these façade systems work, but also why they are selected—and the technical trade-offs involved.
Who Should Attend:
Architects & Architectural Technologists
Façade Engineers & Building Envelope Consultants
Structural Engineers
Developers & Project Managers
Building Control & Regulators
Cost Consultants & Manufacturers
Format:
Live Online CPD
45 minutes + 15 minutes Q&A + knowledge-check multiple choice
All attendees receive:
1-hour CPD certificate upon completion of the knowledge check
Access to the event recording (members only)
Cold Smoke Propagation Open State Cavity barriers
The Building Safety Regulator has raised concerns over the use of open state cavity barriers around windows at Gateway 2. Join this member-only Facade Intelligence event to learn how to demonstrate compliance without compromising drainage and ventilation.
Spandrel Zones in Façade Design and Engineering - Online CPD Seminar
Learn about design considerations for spandrel zones, explore façade fire safety, and review key norms and standards in the UK and internationally. This online CPD seminar is essential for architects, façade engineers, design managers, fire engineers and building safety professionals.
Rainwater Control in Façade Design and Engineering - Online CPD Seminar
Effective rainwater control is one of the most critical principles in façade design—and this seminar brings you the latest insights, strategies, and applied knowledge from leading experts Dr John Straube (University of Waterloo) and Eugene Korch (Institute for Architectural Science and Technology).
