At MW-Skins, to have a partner who is on your side. Personal, independent and professional. Just like us.
Our approach
starts with tailored design and performance assessments, ensuring that every building envelope is optimized for energy efficiency, wind loads, and thermal performance. We collaborate closely with our clients to select materials and oversee every aspect of construction, ensuring quality and precision from fabrication to installation. Whether through façade remediation, solar shading, or value engineering, our focus is on creating durable, efficient, and visually exceptional façades that meet your unique needs.
Our firm
offer specialized services to address the integrity and performance of your existing building envelope. Our expertise includes thorough leak investigations to pinpoint sources of water entry and provide effective solutions. We deliver expert waterproofing consulting, ensuring the longevity and resilience of your structure against the elements. Furthermore, our team conducts detailed facade & roof inspections to assess overall condition and identify necessary repairs. For required quality assurance, we also provide Special Inspections Class 1, giving you confidence in the remediation process.
Foundation of the design phases to follow. The goal during this phase is to understand the needs of the client and the project, provide feasibility study and orient the design team towards a buildable product.
- Code requirement analysis, building code & local laws as related to the envelope.
- Educating client and design team about available materials and systems best suited for the design and budget. With a special attention to carbon footprint and environmental effects different materials have on our planet.
In the Schematic Design (SD) phase, we carefully review the design intent, architectural vision, budget, schedule, and ensure all related building codes are followed. In this phase detail documents will be developed, illustrating the design intent, and allowing to choose a preferred concept for the project.
- Our team provides valuable input on various envelope system options and materials, focusing on their constructibility, thermal performance and accessibility.We also offer advice on exposed surfaces and structural slab edge locations.
- Prepare CAD/PDF details of typical conditions to illustrate and lock in the design intent.
- Provide or assist with preparation of project specific specification for all materials and aspects related to envelope, below and above ground
- Lastly we conduct a thorough review of the 100 % Schematic Design Documents to verify they align with design and constructability requirements.
Once the Ownership selects and approves desired design of their building, the Design Development (DD) phase starts. In this phase MW-Skins will aid the architect in choosing specific facade system that will be incorporated into the detailing. At this time the design is still flexible but the intent is set as we work in collaboration with engineers and architect on record to develop a set of drawings coordinated between different trades.
- Ensure all facade components meet current code and local requirements.
- Help coordinate and determine facade wind cladding loading and other relative loading to code.
- Advice on chose of facade system, materials and options including detailing principles.
- Ensure the design accommodates structural integrity of the facade components, as well as movement due to thermal, earthquake, live and dead lode.
- Conduct thermal studies and recommend products and means of construction to avoid condensation and loose of energy.
- Prepare Waltype and performance tables for EN Filing.
Construction Document (CD) is the last of the design phases on a project. During this phase technical documents and drawings will be prepared, needed to obtain building permits. During CD phase MW-Skins’ involvement in projects becomes crucial to success of the construction. We provide our expertise to ensure total water and air tightens of the envelope by providing trusted material recommendations, and means of building through highly detailed plans & sections.
- Provide waterproofing strategy and detail input for all vertical façade areas and interfaces to ground & roof.
- Provide further facade detailing, including corners, transitions between different exterior wall systems, Finalize CD set.
- Support architect with potential Facade mock up areas and drawings.
- Support Architect with DOB permit filling building envelope documents as required.
- Prove technical reviews of construction documents for conformation with design criteria constructibility requirements and provide written commentary.
During the bidding and negotiation phase, MW Skins collaborates with the ownership and architect to review the façade bidding documents and develop a procurement strategy that aligns with the project’s goals. We meet with façade bidders to evaluate their approach, experience, and compatibility with the project vision. Our team ensures that the selected bidder is fully capable of delivering the desired outcome. Additionally, we assist with value engineering to optimize costs while ensuring the use of high-quality, durable materials that maintain the project’s integrity and aesthetic goals.
During the Construction Administration (CA) phase, MW Skins ensures that all contractor-supplied façade and building envelope data, submittals, and shop drawings conform to contract documents. We respond to contractor RFIs and conduct on-site inspections to verify that construction matches the design specifications. Each site visit is followed by a detailed report, highlighting any non-compliance items and offering recommendations for corrective action. Our proactive involvement during this phase ensures that the project progresses smoothly and adheres to the highest standards of quality and precision.
