Facade Specialist

Foster + Partners

Role Summary

The role is for an experienced Façade Specialist within the Façade Team for Foster + Partners Technical Design Group. This role is an integral part of the in-house design review team working closely with our architects in the 6 Studios across multiple projects at all stages of design and construction. Our mission is to support the Studio teams to successfully deliver technically excellent projects globally. The position requires excellent communication skills and in-depth technical knowledge in the design and engineering of integrated façade systems, diverse materials knowledge and sustainability.

A day in the life of a Facade Specialist is a dynamic blend of collaboration, problem-solving, and knowledge-sharing. Meetings and workshops with internal and external stakeholders foster a continuous exchange of ideas. Responding to architects' inquiries from various Studios is a frequent task, offering technical guidance and solutions for diverse facade-related challenges. Reviewing and providing insights on F+P facade design drawings during design development and at project milestones is crucial, ensuring alignment with standards and offering valuable recommendations for enhancement.

Additionally, the Facade Specialist scrutinizes reports from facade consultants and specialist contractors, contributing comprehensive feedback for Studio teams to address in their projects. Collaborative moments in the canteen or shared spaces provide opportunities to exchange insights with colleagues, promoting a culture of shared knowledge and project discussions. Furthermore, it is essential to liaise with industry experts—consultants, contractors, and supply chain partners for staying up to date on facade industry trends and for organizing technical workshops for the Technical Design Group.

Job title: Façade Specialist

Reporting to: Façade Specialist Lead and Senior Partner

Responsibilities

• Proactively engaging with internal project teams to understand façade challenges and provide adequate technical support.
• Independently attending collaborative meetings and workshops with internal and external stakeholders - providing façade guidance, information, and recommendations.
• Reviewing design information, including drawings, presentations, and specifications, and providing façade comment and advice.
• Proposing potential cladding strategies and concepts and detail input on full building cladding and interface solutions, with appreciation of innovation and developing holistic progressive project solutions.
• Investigation and diagnosis of areas of risk and proactive approach to developing solutions.
• Review of information provided by façade consultants and contractors.
• Production of technical design details and coordination with wider office support teams and design studios.
• Input into the project Specification and deliverables.
• Provide effective maintenance and replacement strategies.
• Supporting teams dealing with requests from contractors, consultants and clients.

• Project management and administration daily.
• Attending site/factory/mock-up test inspections and the production of detailed reports.
• Providing regular updates of project progress to supervisor.
• Providing technical façade and 'lessons learnt’ presentations to the studio to enhance the collective technical knowledge.
• Develop and produce best practise technical memos for façade topics.
• Exploring the latest technology and software to help develop the business.
• An active interest in and full collaboration with other specialist disciplines.
• Equity, diversity & inclusion (EDI) is a core priority. To support and champion the embedding of this focus as a collective workforce responsibility, EDI should be integrated, where relevant, into all workstreams.

Qualities & skills required

• ARB Chartered Architect/qualified façade engineer with experience delivering facade design with design-led practices.
• A degree in Engineering, Architecture or similar.
• International project portfolio.
• Knowledge of façade consultants, specialist contractors and façade suppliers.
• In depth construction knowledge and experience including technical inspections and review of information provided by façade contractors.
• Production of Facade Fire Risk assessments and knowledge and implementation of latest government fire regulatory measures.
• Preparation of technical due diligence reports.
• Ensuring project outputs, systems and materials conform to scope, are safe, robust and of desired quality.
• Support innovation and the development of bespoke progressive solutions.
• Excellent practical knowledge of façade systems and materials.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of 3D design software (Revit, Rhino, CATIA, etc.)
• Knowledge of 3D geometrical analysis (Grasshopper, Excel, etc.)
• Knowledge of graphic software (Photoshop, InDesign, etc.)
• Ability to liaise and deal professionally with all staff within the office and external stakeholders, including clients, consultants, contractors, manufacturers, etc.
• Ability to use effective communication and negotiation skills in order to resolve critical issues.

This description reflects the core activities of the role but is not intended to be all-inclusive and other duties within the group/department may be required in addition to changes in the emphasis of duties as required from time to time. There is a requirement for the post holder to recognise this and adopt a flexible approach to work. Job descriptions will be reviewed regularly and where necessary revised in accordance with organisational needs. Any major changes will be discussed with the post holder.