The Institution of Structural Engineers The Institution of Structural Engineers

Facade Engineering and the structural use of glass

Our Façade Engineering and Structural Use of Glass Study Group brings together consulting engineers, architects, contractors, manufacturers and researchers.

Topics covered:
  • Defining the roles of structural engineers and other professionals within the façade design team
  • Guidance notes on aspects of structural glass and façade design
  • Links with other organisations with initiatives related to glass and façade engineering
  • Assistance revising publications including {Structural Use of Glass in Buildings} and {Aspects of Cladding}

 

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Contact the Study Group if you would like to know more.

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You may be interested in

The Structural Engineer
3D architectural model of the Sagrada Familia against a white background.

Advancing thrust-line masonry design using finite-element methods on Sagrada Familia

Advancing thrust-line masonry design using finite-element methods on Sagrada Familia
This article – the winning entry to the IStructE Research into Practice case study competition in 2025 – describes research and development undertaken for design of the four facade towers for the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona.
Date – 4 March 2026
Author – Sam Gardiner, Liam Duff, Steve McKechnie, Michal Kierat and Tristram Carfrae
Price – £9.95
The Structural Engineer
Design configurations of a masonry support system showing brickwork and fire barriers

Integrating structural elements in complex facade designs

Integrating structural elements in complex facade designs
This article examines issues which affect the design of masonry support systems in a number of common scenarios.
Date – 2 June 2025
Author – Sam Hine
Price – £9.95
Training
Multiple examples of façade retention works

Permanent design solutions to reduce temporary works in facade retention schemes

Permanent design solutions to reduce temporary works in facade retention schemes
This technical lecture explored innovative permanent design solutions that can be adopted to improve buildability and reduce carbon intensive temporary works within facade retention schemes.
Date – 2 April 2025
Author – Emily McKay & Patrick Clayton
Price – Free
The Structural Engineer
Carbon payback period

Balancing embodied and operational carbon in building envelope design

Balancing embodied and operational carbon in building envelope design
This article introduces the idea of a ‘carbon payback period’ as a metric for assessing the net carbon emissions of design decisions whose scope spans both the embodied and operational carbon.
Date – 1 March 2022
Author – Will Wild
Price – £9.95
Guidance
Blue abstract blocks

Envelope checklist

Envelope checklist
The checklist is intended for graduate engineers or those with little experience of envelopes.
Date – 21 July 2021
Author – Peter Lenk
Price – 0

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