Facade planning

Maintain the building envelope in the model - from early multi-layer construction through execution-grade facade layers for quantity take-off and building physics.

Starting point

• Facades are often detailed late; quantities and building physics rely on estimates.
• CAD tools support multi-layer components inconsistently; complex build-ups do not always fit in a single wall.

Goal & benefit

• Model simple facades in early phases as a multi-layer component (exterior wall).
• Maintain a separate facade layer when tool limits apply or higher complexity is required.
• Derive facade areas and openings from the model for quantity take-off and coordination.

Process

1. Provide exterior walls, windows, and doors.
2. Model the facade build-up as a multi-layer component or separate layer - depending on phase and complexity.
3. Derive facade areas and opening ratios from the model for quantity take-off and building physics.

Outcome

• Coordination-ready building envelope in the model - from early phase through tender-ready facade planning.

Deliverables

• Architecture model with IfcProject, IfcSite, IfcBuilding, and IfcBuildingStorey
• IfcWall with IsExternal=TRUE - exterior wall as multi-layer component (early phases, simple facades)
• IfcCovering with PredefinedType=CLADDING and IsExternal=TRUE - separate facade layer when complexity or tool limits require it
• IfcWindow and IfcDoor - openings in the facade with IsExternal=TRUE
• IfcCovering with PredefinedType=CEILING and IsExternal=TRUE - exterior suspended ceiling as a modelled layer
• Terrain as surface geometry (IfcGeographicElement TERRAIN)