How to meet building regulations without sacrificing creativity, with digital facade planning and access solution support

As artistic and individual as many construction projects can seem during the initial design stages, the need to meet upcoming building regulation parameters can douse the flames of creativity. Of course, ensuring the safety and security of new and developed existing buildings is paramount, but if not considered early on in the design process, bending to meet safety regulations at a later stage can mean giving up on the more creative aspects of a project.

Safety and security, however, are not the only parameters. There are also client-set sustainability targets for architects and planners to concern themselves with – now just as valuable to a corporation’s brand as a glittering architectural jewel in its crown, the industry-specific security requirements regarding a building’s entrance, the safety of its emergency exit procedures, and the ease and functionality of its use, all to consider.

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First point of contact: the challenges of facade design and planning

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A building’s facade represents the physical face (hence the name) a company presents to the world. But although the look of a building’s facade is one of its most important design considerations, the architectural elements are highly fortified with building regulations and codes, along with other design factors:

• Emergency Safety: As the only means of escape in an emergency, regulations demand a building’s facade feature non-combustible, stable, durable, and inclusive exit points for people of all ages and abilities.
• Building-Specific Security Features: While allowing as many people to exit as quickly, calmly, and safely as possible in emergency situations, the majority of large-scale buildings also need to include access control for those coming the other way, for safety and security or ticketing purposes – or both as at international transport hubs and large entertainment venues.
• Environmental and Sustainability Credentials: To achieve certain environmental accreditations, a building’s thermal efficiency can be improved with the use of sensor-controlled sliding or revolving doors, for example.
• Clean and Contemporary Design: By following the recent design trends of clean lines and bringing a natural outdoor feeling to a building’s interior spaces, architects and designers can create a comforting, welcoming atmosphere both inside and out.

With many of the above façade and access requirements having contradicting solutions, professional specifiers must make decisions early on during a project’s planning stages – often selecting a customised option that balances one with another.

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Finding a way in: dormakaba Specification Support clears a path for design professionals

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With a range of automatic and manual doors, barriers, and security gates available, as well as the technology systems to keep entrance and exit points safe, secure, and monitored, the timeframe involved in searching for the perfect customised option in a sea of access solutions can have a big impact – especially at such an early stage – on a project’s schedule, and can often be rushed or even overlooked as a result.

As an international expert in architectural entrance products and access control solutions, dormakaba’s product range includes solutions that balance safety, security, traffic flow, and ease of operation with sustainability-focused technical spaces and the aesthetic options to fit multiple project styles. But finding the perfect combination to meet the dual demands of building regulations and clients is no simple task.

Helping architects, designers, and planners find the right solution that works for each individual project is precisely what dormakaba’s Specification Support Service is designed for. The service assists professionals by suggesting different types of facade access solutions and explaining how they can meet the specific requirements of a project. This means not only finding the most suitable product solutions, but also those with the technical specifications to comply with regulations and upcoming design challenges.

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dormakaba’s digital planning tools and BIM library specifications

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Professionals in the construction sector like architects, engineers, and planners are adept at visualising fully-formed three-dimensional spaces, along with spotting any future hazards or complications – like fire-safety or security compliance, with just a set of blueprints alone. With multiple voices needed to offer opinions on ongoing projects at any one time, however, the use of digital design and planning tools such as BIM software makes architectural planning far more inclusive. Giving all stakeholders the ability not only to visualise the plans but also to suggest and see any amendments made in real-time.

With the ability to speed up project processes from weeks to hours, cut the mistakes and misinterpretations that result from a paper-led design system, and even utilise AI to plan and co-ordinate the project schedule for more efficient management, BIM-led projects have a clear advantage.

The only downside is a restriction of available products to include in a project’s digital doppelgänger. With a wide range of dormakaba’s products available in a dedicated BIM library, however, BIM-based projects can find and select the solution they require from the start. Using its details to inform scheduling decisions during the planning stage, and to inform on building management processes and services allows architects, planners, and all construction professionals to find solutions that meet building regulations and client requests with speed and simplicity.

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Find out more about how dormakaba’s Specification Support Service and extensive BIM library can help you find and select the perfect access solution to balance aesthetics with sustainability and security, all while adhering to local building regulations.

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