Building Envelope

Where Buildings Meet the Weather

A building’s envelope is the system of roofs, walls, windows, and foundations that keeps air, water, and heat where they belong. When it fails, water and air get in, and damage and disputes follow. Aperture investigates why envelopes fail, tests and commissions them during construction, and assesses facades and structures for safety and code compliance. Our engineers, architects, and building scientists bring decades of experience to owners, developers, attorneys, and insurers at every phase of a building’s life, from design through litigation.

Forensic Investigations

Investigation of envelope failures to determine the cause, origin, and extent of air and water intrusion and related damage. Includes evaluation against applicable codes and standards, repair and remediation strategies, and expert-witness and litigation support.

Facade & Structural Assessments

Inspection programs for the safety and code compliance of building exteriors and structures. Includes ordinance-required periodic facade inspections, structural soundness evaluations, due diligence, condition prioritization, and compliance filings with municipalities.

Testing & Commissioning

Field and laboratory testing to confirm envelope performance during and after construction. Includes water penetration testing, air barrier testing, performance testing, infrared thermography, hygrothermal modeling, third-party construction observation, and aerial inspection by drone.

Design & Risk Analysis

Envelope design and advisory services across an asset’s lifecycle. Includes building envelope design, contract administration, and integration of roofing, wall, window, and barrier systems.

Related practices: For subsurface and foundation movement, see Geotechnical Engineering. For broader construction-defect and property-damage matters, see Built Environment.

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