Fortis Facades

Signs of the Times Façade consultants and engineers elude. #facades #facadeengineering #construction #streetsigns #history #culture

Timber management, selection and refinery: Our journey starts deep in one of Poland’s forests with a 4hr drive to a location selected by Fortis. Unbeknown to Fortis, our presence had drawn attention from the local sawmill owners, along with a Forest Ranger of the Polish Forests to monitor our process on behalf of the state. Tree Boring: We set out to sample trees along 3 transects covering topography that would illustrate range and balance. The trees are Geotagged so NorDan can always retrace at any stage of the regions management. The boring is completed at an agreed height and suitable incision zone which will cause the least risk to the tree’s health. Core Sampling: We record the initial observations, before tagging and storing securely the extracted core. Fortis complete analysis of the tree’s characteristics post-fieldwork. The extraction of each core is inexcusably exciting, as each tells a slightly different development story, spotting the differences are pleasing rewards. Surveying: The tree’s health is not solely based on its core. It’s height, circumference, soil conditions, and surrounding environment all influence its condition in relation to structural offering. This method was completed with digital and analogue methodologies. De-barking: Once trees are selected and felled, they are cut to structural length appropriate for a range of timber products, including CLT for construction and must be de-barked to ensure the primary sawing is efficient. Sizing & Infeed: Log structural selection is the process where control is introduced through the filtering of lumber dimensions, so that yield is optimised. The infeed belts control rate and positioning of timber prior to initial sawing. Sawing: The primary length cuts look to establish the first run of yield, the excess is processed for other timber product not centric to structural grade timber. Sawn & Distribution: With the initial timber dimensioning complete, the wood is stacked and reviewed for application. This means the timber can be assigned to specific production lines. Re-sawn, Edging & Drying: Once the timber’s performance and purpose is confirmed, the wood is then refined further with minimal waste calibration cutting. The wood is then kiln dried; this is balanced with ambient atmospheric conditions. Trimmed & Profiled: These are the applications of linear profiled cut design, where continuous form is required for system joinery. CLT & Profiled: Cross lamination and bonding of timber is completed via automation separately. Then multi-axis cutting technology allows for 3-dimensional cutting which in turn produces the joinery between components. These are finally pressurised and impregnated with preservation technology. Specific depths of impregnation are achieved to protect against moisture and infestation which ensures longevity. We’d like to thank NorDan UK Ltd and NorDan Group for making this possible. #Timber #Research #Facades #CLT #Construction #SustainableDesign

Timber: The UK construction industry is typically behind other nations such as Austria, Denmark, Norway and Germany who culturally embrace the use of timber as a technology. The UK has an abundance of timber advocates, but insurance landscapes are slow with acceptance. This is due to the upheaval of governance surrounding combustible materials in construction, but also reflective of limited local skill sets of builders, specifiers and installers. Candid acknowledgement: we’re just not as good as others when it comes to lumber, yet. Fortis have been working with NorDan this year on the way in which timber is independently verified, going beyond certification, researching the climatic influences on timber from the past and what this means with a warming planet for the future. We would like to immediately thank NorDan UK Ltd and NorDan Group for their absolute transparency and support whilst accommodating Fortis’ audit of their supply chain. #EmbodiedCarbon #SustainableArchitecture #TimberinConstruction #NorDan #Collaboration #TimberEngineering #Climate #Sustainability #Facades #UKConstruction #FacadeEngineering

William Bayram joins Fortis! William is a fully qualified Architect who has migrated across to façade consultancy. His experience ranges from early concept design to monitoring façade installation. His skill as an Architect enables the connection between form and function through balanced engineering dialogue. He has worked both nationally and globally, joining Fortis specifically to bridge our international projects. His sector work experience includes working with public bodies and private clients, on high-end residential projects, hospitals and transport developments. William has also worked on the UNESCO world heritage site, The New Town – Edinburgh. Whether it be innovation or combining modern material design with traditional, William’s ability to research and justify each condition, is a level of detailing needed in the construction industry. William communicates through all mediums, one of his best is his drawn designs accompanied by his staged and easy to follow writing style; this makes for clear and traceable decision making. Welcome Will, looking forward to working together. #welcome #facades #consultancy #architecture #facadeengineering

Fortis Melbourne, Australia   Our Melbourne team are now into their second year in the region, providing façade engineering and design management services.   This is thanks to our Eric Deng who has not only established the first Fortis presence in Australia, but also supported London and our recently established Sydney office. From the practice Eric, thank you.   Melbourne have completed several projects which we’ll share shortly. We also aim to celebrate some Melbourne architecture which has helped define the city we know today through some topical pieces, watch this space.    Lastly, we wanted to thank those who have and continue to support us. Thank you for entrusting us and allowing us to becoming part of the work. #MelbourneConstruction #AustralianConstruction #Facadeengineering #Facadedesign

Northcot Brick Limited, Cotswolds, England Our thanks to Dale Moss and his team for hosting Fortis earlier this year at one of Britain’s oldest traditional brick factories. Northcot famously supplied the original bricks for London’s Battersea Power Station, and more recently the replacement/new brickworks almost a century later. For those that crave a deeper understanding of the energies and skill involved in traditional brick manufacture, attending older factories has our strongest recommendation. The experience affords insight into the past and helps qualify decisions when repurposing older buildings, particularly managing expectations in relation to load combinations and building physics. Our highlights were the following: 1. Understanding the reliance in the craft of judgement for firing sequential kilns 2. Seeing a 100-year-old brick processing machine 3. Methods for overcoming changing topography 4. Making our own bricks 5. Discussions on the next generation of green/blue energies required for clay firing From Fortis we wanted to extend our thanks again to Northcot Brick Limited and nic the brick white for hosting and arranging respectively, great day. #ukconstruction #masonry #facades #facadeengineering #geology

Maxim Consalvi joins Fortis as Director in Sydney This is a particularly special moment for us, as we have the pleasure of welcoming not just a respected professional but an old friend back into the fold. Maxim’s journey and ours have long been intertwined, and it’s a privilege to now work side by side once again. Our paths crossed on designing facades from scratch without the use of a catalogue, he possesses the rare ability to not only design but also to validate in entirety; most only have one of these attributes. His positivity towards engineering is addictive to be around and his professional sense of humour makes for good company. He is years beyond his age and makes the façade industry a better place for those currently immersed and those just starting their journey. Maxim, from the practice thank you for joining us on this next chapter of the Fortis story, welcome from both hemispheres! #facades #facadeengineering #welcome #construction #partnership

Matthew Davidson has joined Fortis Facades as Director in Sydney. Avoiding the temptation of corporate announcement, the following are my personal notes from a joint career and partnership that has spanned the best part of two decades. Matt is not only an accomplished engineer with projects across multiple continents, but his contributions to the industry has deservedly earned him recognition as a leader. He has a rare ability to be called in and resolve the details that have been left in the “by others” draw, which I only have admiration for. There’s nothing more impressive than seeing him dissect and solve apparent unsolvable details; whilst simultaneously showing maturity in the delivery of the news that some aspirations require tempering so that project economics are accountable. Those that know him well, will agree that his inability to be phased and remain composed regardless of occasion is a welcomed trait, one which makes him approachable to clients and importantly our staff seeking guidance. Matt’s deep technical and procurement knowledge will be instrumental in helping us shape the future of Fortis Facades. Thank you and welcome from everyone at Fortis. #facades #facadeengineering #welcome #construction #partnership

Fortis Facades has opened a new office in Sydney, Australia This step reflects our steady growth and our desire to be closer to our clients and partners in the region. We look forward to supporting local and international projects as well as building new relationships as we continue to deliver meaningful façade consultancy and engineering. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey so far and continued to support us as we embark on this new chapter! More on our Sydney operation to follow. #sydney #australia #facades #facadeengineering #newsouthwales #australianconstruction #architecture

The UK is currently in a heatwave. How do we know this, engage any Brit and they will carefully take the time to articulate their discomfort. Fortis also like talking weather, especially the interaction between building fabric and atmospheric process. That’s why we are the first façade consultancy to offer site specific weather warnings. SITE-MET© is a totally free early warning series of advice notes dedicated to site operatives. Looking after construction assets is challenging enough without having to worry about influence from the climate, so our specialist, tailored checklist reminders aim to relieve some of the pressures of site life. How it works: 1. Enter the nearest post code for the site that you are managing. 2. Receive a confirmation email. 3. Depending on the type of inclement weather, you will be sent not only the weather warning prior to the event, but an attached checklist specific to the climatic system approaching. 4. Once you finish your project just unsubscribe The lists serve as reminders and can be provided to clients as part of site management. Follow the link to BIOME: https://lnkd.in/eH3T77Ga #meteorology #facadeengineering #assetmanagement #atmosphere #ukconstruction