Step 1 Select the Site Location

Start by establishing the geographic coordinate base of your project. You can click anywhere on the interactive map to place a pin, or enter precise coordinates manually in the sidebar inputs. The platform will automatically query real-time elevation datasets, coastline proximity maps, and regional weather climatology profiles (such as annual solar Global Horizontal Irradiation and design wind speeds) for the site.

Step 2 Define the Building Envelope & Terrain

Configure the building's geometry and surrounding local environment parameters in Step 2. Input the building height, typical storey heights, footprint length and width, and select the plan shape. These inputs are processed by the geometric takeoff engine to calculate orientation-specific gross facade areas, and by the wind pressure calculator to estimate boundary layer exposure constants:

• Terrain Category: Determines ground friction boundary layer profile according to Eurocode (EN 1991-1-4) or ASCE 7 exposure constants. Selecting Category 0 represents open coastal exposure with maximum wind speeds, whereas Category IV represents a dense urban core where neighboring structures break up the airflow, reducing pressures.
• Urban Density: Modulates local microclimate shielding. Choosing "Dense Urban / City Centre" applies a local wind exposure dampening multiplier (ranging from 1.0 down to 0.80), directly softening structural load deflection requirements.

Step 3 Specify Facade Systems & Material Rules

FacadeIQ utilizes a dual-system framework, managing transparent vision zones and solid spandrel zones independently to allow modern complex envelope designs:

• Glazing / Vision System: Set options like Unitised curtain wall, Stick framing, or Structural sealant glazing (SSG). This selection governs transparent U-value targets, active daylight transmissivity targets, framing solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) limits, structural sealant bite sizes, and seismic joint displacement ratings.
• Opaque Facade System: Choose construction assemblies such as Rainscreen cladding, Composite panels (ACM), Precast concrete / GFRC, or Insulated metal panels (IMP). This selection governs the solid U-value baseline, acoustic transmission mass (Rw), Glaser build-up defaults, and Stage A1-A3 embodied carbon intensities.
• Opaque Cladding Restrictions: Cladding materials are dynamically filtered based on the opaque facade system. For example, selecting Precast concrete / GFRC restricts choices strictly to mineral options (GFRC, Stone, or Not specified) to prevent physically impossible combinations like a timber cladding precast concrete assembly.

Step 4 Set Environmental Physics & Custom Glaser Layers

Configure internal thermal targets, occupancy loads, and airtightness targets. Adjust the Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR) overall or per orientation. The opaque areas are dynamically derived as the remainder, automatically updating the gross area takeoff displays.

To model hybrid envelope build-ups or custom insulation layers, use the Custom Layer Stack tool. This overrides system-type physical lookups in Glaser vapor condensation risk calculations:

• Sequential Order: Enter layers strictly from the indoor (warm side) to the outdoor (cold side). The first row should represent the internal lining (e.g. gypsum board) and the final row represents the external rainscreen or cladding panel.
• Physical Thickness (mm): Input the physical thickness of the layer in millimeters.
• Thermal Conductivity (Lambda, W/m·K): Define the material's thermal conductivity. Lower values (e.g. 0.035 W/m·K for mineral wool insulation) provide higher thermal resistance (R-value).
• Vapour Resistance Factor (Mu, μ): Enter the dimensionless vapor resistance factor. An open layer like mineral wool has a μ of 1 (highly breathable), whereas a perfect vapor barrier has a very high factor (e.g. 100,000 or more).
• Stack templates: Click "Use typical stack" to instantly pre-populate a high-performance rainscreen sequence (plasterboard, vapor barrier, mineral wool, air cavity, and rainscreen panel) as a reference point you can fine-tune.

Step 5 View the Interactive 3D Model

Once your inputs are configured, the platform runs the analysis automatically. You can explore the fully interactive 3D model in the results panel. The viewer highlights the active orientation faces and overlays the corresponding WWR glazing splits, allowing you to visually cross-reference geometry takeoff results immediately.

Step 6 Analyze Performance & Decarbonization Reports

Switch between the detailed analysis tabs to check engineering performance. The platform calculates structural design wind pressures, monthly condensation risk cycles, BIPV solar yields, and whole-life carbon payback trajectories comparing standard material baselines against low-carbon, recycled-content specifications.

Step 7 Review the Automated Compliance Matrix

Check the Compliance tab to verify code conformance automatically. The app generates clear checklist items evaluating structural joint limits, fire safety ratings, local energy code targets, and provides immediate outline specifications and outline recommendations to feed directly into your predesign dossiers.

Predesign Dossier Quick Tips