SHOP

Critical to SHoP Construction's ability to provide comprehensive parametric modeling, information management, and digital delivery of complex facade projects is its ability to provide in-house engineering of each enclosure system, including unitized curtainwalls, rain screen systems, specialized glass and glazing systems, storefronts, membrane and cable systems. SHoP Construction's facade engineering services are offered both for design teams in the early stages of projects - including geometric rationalization, material optimization, engineering analysis, and rapid prototyping services - and to facade contractors either during the design assist process or post-award, offering system design and detailing, structural and energy performance analysis, parametric model development, automated shop drawing production, fabrication package production, direct to fabrication (CNC) delivery, and barcode scanning and database integration.

BARCODE SCANNING & DATABASE INTEGRATION

Integral to model development is our ability to assign or code each model element with a 'barcode' or RFID (raido frequency identification) tag. With this capability, SHoP Construction provides its clients with a comprehensive and interoperable database system which can be utilized to monitor and track each facade component throughout the fabrication, assembly and installation processes. Further to the ability of the facade contractor to monitor his own work, is the longer term potential for the coded assembly element to be digitally monitored on-site as part of a '6D' life-cycle management program.

PARAMETRIC MODELING/ GEOMETRIC RATIONALIZATION

The marriage between high design and cost-effective delivery of facade systems often begins with determining system form early in the design process. SHoP Construction's ability to leverage advanced parametric modeling tools affords our clients the opportunity to realize design intent with a high-degree of geometric resolution and cost effectiveness. We rely on a digitally based, multi-dimensional process which begins with geometric inputs into a parametric 3D model. SHoP Construction utilizes its expertise to develop 3D models to manage design development, drawing production, and when possible, direct to fabrication systems delivery.

MATERIAL OPTIMIZATION

Material selection and layout drives numerous aspects of enclosure design. We work with our clients to review material property and dimension-based distinctions through optimization studies. These studies can lead to informed decisions on efficient layouts and reduced waste, enabling cost-effective and sustainable design.

ENGINEERING REVIEW

SHoP Construction can review proposed designs to ensure design compliance (prescriptive or performance-based) prior to manufacturing or construction. Our ability to provide linear and nonlinear finite element structural analysis (FEA) of systems and components allows us to review and optimize façade systems. We also review material, component and system energy performance (including thermal properties, condensation resistance and shading impacts, among other indices) to quantify façade energy performance and to identify sustainable opportunities.

RAPID PROTOTYPING

As part of our 3D modeling, we offer further study of proposed designs through prototyping processes. SHoP Construction's rapid prototyping service includes 3D printing of details, connections or interfaces between systems, serving as a useful analytic tool during the development stages of a project.

SYSTEM DESIGN & DETAILING

In today's economic climate, designers rely on facade contractors to provide construction solutions early on in the design process, often during design assist phases of projects. Intelligent system development is critical to the success and viability of the A/E team's design. Whether early on in the design assist stage, proposal stage or post-award, SHoP Construction's Facade Engineering team greatly contributes to the evolution of facade contractors' system designs and detail development for responsible system designs.

AUTOMATED SHOP DRAWING & FABRICATION PACKAGES

Once the parametric model reaches a significant level of development, SHoP Construction works toward extraction of the various shop drawings required to service the project. Engineering developments and inputs are captured in the model prior to drawing production. Once integrated, system developments are represented in requisite drawing form. Unique to SHoP Construction's processes is its willingness to invest in research and development in an effort to find the 'right solution' for the job. 'Scripting' or 'coding' is often developed to expedite the shop drawing process through implementation of automated drawing procedures. Once various approvals and sign-offs are obtained, SHoP Construction develops the necessary fabrication packages to fabricate and assemble each proposed system. Each 'fab-ticket' is uniquely coded for database integration and material/assembly tracking.

DIRECT TO FABRICATION (CNC) DELIVERY

The power and time savings provided through multi-dimensional facade systems design and delivery is most readily apparent through fully-automated direct-to-fabrication or 'CNC' processes on the factory floor. SHoP Construction provides digital files for each system component that can be manufactured or assembled by computer. Although represented in drawing form for required approvals processes, the ability to drive fabrication machinery directly from electronic files significantly reduces human error and speeds up the fabrication process. Although robotic assembly is not yet a part of everyday facade manufacturing, we believe it is only a matter of time before its the norm. The digital model will always be the generator and enabler of this process.