Design + Consultation

Szerelmey’s industry leading Design and Technology Department represents a wealth of knowledge. The team specialise in solving complex design issues. In addition to the selection and design of stone cladding, interior, hard landscaping, faience and restoration, they are actively involved in the research and development of bespoke fixing systems and the use of innovative materials.

WE UNDERTAKE FULL ENVELOPE DESIGN

DESIGN TEAM

Our inhouse Design team sits at the heart of our business and comprises designers, engineers, technicians and architects. The Department is led by seasoned industry professionals Mark Walden, Ian Lee and Ryno Nel who have over 70 years of experience between them.

Building Design & Consultancy - London | Szerelmey
Building Design & Consultancy - London | Szerelmey

3D + BIM

Our inhouse Design team comprises designers, engineers, technicians and architects and sits at the heart of our business. The team specialise in solving complex design challenges, and in addition to the selection and design of cladding, interiors, hard landscaping, faience and restoration, they are actively involved in the research and development of bespoke fixing systems and the use of innovative materials. The team participates in and delivers BIM level 2 compliant information as required, between stage 4-Design and stage 5-Build and Commission as set out in our own Design Office Protocol including BIM information Management to BS EN ISO 19650-1 & 2/2018.

FULL ENVELOPE DESIGN

We can and prefer to undertake the full envelope design of your building, from and including the supporting structures, through to the cladding itself. As part of this we will carry out all the design work including supporting calculations for the following  elements – thermal design and insulation, wind loads, fire barriers and full cavity build up including drainage if required, supporting bracketry and cladding installation. We will save you time and money by being the only subcontractor delivering the envelope, with the exception of glazing.

DESIGN SERVICES

DESIGN ADVICE

We meet with Architects, Clients and Engineers early in a project to aid in the project development and maximise efficiency for the client.

BACKING STRUCTURE DESIGN

Our team will advise on the choice of backing structure and can design them if required, this includes full wall construction, SFS, precast backing etc.

TESTING AND ANALYSIS

We facilitate impact testing, and manage material testing such as petrographic, testing for compressive strengths, flexural strengths, slip resistance, 3D U value calculations and condensation analysis.

THERMAL ENGINEERING

We use software and engineering calculations to calculate 2D thermal values and condensation analysis to find solutions to achieve required U values and vapour control.

3D MODEL DIGITAL FILES

Using the most up-to-date software we are able to issue 3D model digital files for advanced factories to use for CNC manufacturing, which is faster than traditional scheduling, as well as supplying information for BIM Level 2.

SUPPORTING TECHNICAL INFO

We provide full supporting technical information for all products including CE mark certificates for stones as standard and check all products are fit for purpose.

DPC, VCL, INSULATION, FIRE BARRIER

We review all relevant interfaces to meet specifications, codes and regulations, incorporating the correct DPC, VCL, insulation and fire barriers within each project design.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The team is active in R&D, developing all our bespoke fixing systems and researching all cladding materials.

DETAILED DRAWINGS

The team reviews all the technical information and produces detailed drawings and general arrangements using AutoCAD, Revit and Inventor.

PROGRAMME

Liaising with the contracts department, we put together the design programme detailing the installation sequence and key dates, taking account of manufacture lead in times and design duration.

CLADDING & FIXING CALCULATIONS

We will produce engineering calculations and stress analysis to prove our cladding and fixing designs.

MOCK UPS

We typically build mock ups for visual purposes or for testing in our yard at our Head Office in Vauxhall, or we can build them at a site of the client’s choice. Mock ups are an important part of the design process and we highly recommend them.

RESTORATION + DESIGN

Our Design Department plays a key role in the delivery of our Restoration Services. Much of our Restoration work involves dismantling and reinstating stone and faience facades, retained facades, stone indenting, alterations to existing structures and the addition of new secondary structures. All of these can only be facilitated properly through the involvement of our Design Department.

Surveys are undertaken by the Design or Restoration Department and range from a binocular survey to a full envelope condition survey producing detailed reports. Photogrammetry is used when required.

Frequently with retained facades and adaptive re-use projects there is a requirement to make changes to the original historic structure. This might be through creating new openings such as transforming windows into doors or other structural alterations that involve our designers and engineers.

Often existing historic buildings will either need a straight forward addition/extension from ground floor up, or a requirement to “stretch” a facade to accommodate additional new floors at high level. This is often employed when a facade has been dismantled, stored and replaced to reflect the additional changes.

The Design department will study, record, photograph and draw existing stone pieces. This enables accurate reproduction of stone profiles for indenting when repairing and replacing damaged elements and producing new replica facades.
We are highly knowledgeable in traditional fixing and repair methods incorporating modern techniques and products as required. We can design new fixing systems and supporting structures with cavities to facilitate modern requirements to assist a take down and rebuild project, which will retain its historic appearance.
The Design Department will advise on material matching and in particular on the technical qualities of different materials when matching them to existing, historic ones.
Our engineered designs are grounded in practical and buildable methods that will cause the least disruption to the existing historic fabric of the buildings, while ensuring the building is fit for contemporary use.