Metal curtain wall design is not undertaken by an architect alone; it is far too complex and specialized a process. For many buildings, the architect simply adopts a proprietary system that meets the design requirements. This puts the primary responsibility on the manufacturer and installer of the system to ensure that the proper components are chosen and the wall is correctly installed.
When an architect sets out to design a new system of metal cladding, as is often done for large, important buildings, other professionals are brought into the process. An independent cladding consultant can bring a great deal of experience and expertise to this effort and minimize the risk to the architect. The structural engineer of the building is involved at least to the extent of understanding the weight and attachment requirements of the system. A curtain wall manufacturer is also brought into the design team early in the process.
The architect and building owner may elect either of two methods for selecting a manufacturer: One curtain wall manufacturer may be chosen on the basis of reputation and past experience. Alternatively, the architect and cladding consultant may prepare a rough design and performance specifications and submit these to several manufacturers for proposals. Each manufacturer will then submit a more detailed design and a financial proposal, and one will be selected on the basis of these proposals to proceed with the project.
The manufacturer understands better than any other member of the team the manufacturing, assembly, installation, and cost implications of a new curtain wall design. The manufacturer often does the installation as well as the manufacturing of the components, or it subcontracts the installation work to companies that it certifies to be well qualified and familiar with the manufacturer’s products and standards. This installation experience is also invaluable during the design process.
From conceptual drawings prepared by the architect and the cladding consultant, the manufacturer prepares a more detailed set of design drawings as a basis for reaching preliminary agreement on the design. The manufacturer then prepares a very detailed set of shop drawings and installation drawings. These are checked carefully by the architect, engineer, and cladding consultant to ensure compliance with the design intentions and the structural capabilities of the building frame. Full-scale testing of the curtain wall, as described in Chapter 19, is usually carried out before the manufacture of a custom-designed curtain wall system is authorized to begin. The curtain wall manufacturer may also visit the construction site during the erection of the building frame to become familiar with the level of dimensional accuracy of the structural surfaces to which the curtain wall will be fastened.
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