The Society of Façade Engineering brings people together in a forum where they can work together to advance knowledge and practice in facade engineering, promote good practice and ensure that today's increasingly complex building façades meet the many and varying performance criteria. In particular, it addresses the complex issues in building physics of thermal insulation, ventilation, lighting, solar control, and acoustics. 'Façade engineering is the art of resolving aesthetic, environmental and structural issues to achieve the enclosure of habitable space.' The boundaries between the many disciplines involved in the process of design, supply, installation, testing and operation of building façades is becoming blurred. For buildings to achieve a high energy efficiency and create a comfortable environment for occupants, there must be appropriate dialogue between architects, façade engineers, building services engineers, structural engineers and contractors. This article explains why the Society was formed and its objectives.
