At Architectural Wall Systems, we don’t treat curtain wall engineering as a drafting exercise or a box-checking step in submittals. For us, a curtain wall is a structural, environmental, and architectural system that has to perform when the weather shifts, when the building moves, and when years of use begin to separate theory from reality.
A façade that only meets the spec is temporary.
A façade that performs in the field — that’s engineering.
That’s where we live.
We design building envelope systems, curtain wall assemblies, and façade engineering solutions that resist wind, manage drift, adapt to temperature fluctuations, remain watertight, and continue to perform these functions long after the project is completed.
Because a building doesn’t care what the spreadsheet said — it cares whether the design holds up.
People notice the glass first, the reflections, the transparency, the clean vertical lines. But performance doesn’t only live in the glass. It lives in the relationships between:
The curtain wall system, which develops the load path you don’t see, is in front of the primary structure components.
Our work focuses on that invisible backbone, the part that carries pressure, adapts to movement, and protects the building when the environment stops being polite.
That’s why every Architectural Wall Systems project starts with reality, not assumption.
We confirm:
No guesswork.
No “we’ll address it later.”
Later is where failures show up.
We don’t approach façades as separate, standalone components. A curtain wall behaves as an assembly and performs as a system; there’s no in-between.
Our façade structural engineering process models how imposed loads travel:
From the glass → to the gasket → to the mullion → to the anchor → to the structure.
If any link is overstressed, misaligned, or poorly coordinated, the weak point won’t stay hidden for long.
So we engineer:
And we adjust accordingly to reinforce only where the numbers require it.
Over-design wastes time and money.
Under-design risks the building’s safety.
Our job is to mitigate both.
That’s the AWSI Engineer TRUE™ approach — precision, accountability, and decisions backed by feasible analysis instead of convenience.
Our engineering packages are not just paperwork; they are a physical representation of how we think and the decisions and choices we make.
Every Architectural Wall Systems package is designed to be clear, understandable, and trustworthy.
We include:
Architects see the design logic.
Contractors see constructability.
Owners see risk management.
Peer reviewers see discipline instead of patchwork math.
Clarity prevents misinterpretation.
Consistency minimizes risk.
That’s not style, that’s responsibility.
Our engineers run framing members through proprietary calculation tools, multi-span analysis, and performance-based checks tailored to the façade system, whether it’s:
We refine the design until it is:
Lean systems are not about doing less — they’re about doing precisely what the structure demands and nothing more.
That’s how curtain wall engineering becomes both economical and durable.
Our work doesn’t live on paper — it lives on job sites and in buildings people depend on.
We’ve engineered:
Projects like:
Texas Children’s Hospital — curtain wall + cladding engineered to meet demanding healthcare codes.
Denver Art Museum — complex geometry resolved through performance-based façade design.
Stanford Energy Facility — envelope systems engineered around thermal cycling and drift behavior.
1920 McKinney — sleek, high-efficiency curtain wall engineered to meet schedule and performance targets.
Our definition of success isn’t a signed sheet.
Success is a high-performance façade, leak-free, drift-tolerant, that still performs when the warranties are old, and the building is still in service through its 50 plus lifespan.
What does curtain wall engineering include?
Curtain wall engineering encompasses structural analysis, façade design, load path evaluation, anchor behavior, thermal movement, and waterproofing performance, ensuring the building envelope can withstand real-world conditions over time.
Why do building envelope systems matter?
A properly engineered building envelope controls water, air, temperature, and structural movement, protecting the building, improving energy performance, and extending lifecycle value.
What is the role of façade consultants?
Façade consultants, such as Architectural Wall Systems, collaborate with architects, developers, and contractors to translate design intent into systems that meet structural, environmental, and constructability requirements.
How long should a curtain wall system last?
With the right engineering, installation, and ongoing maintenance, a modern curtain wall system can perform reliably for 50 years or more.
The façade transforms a structure into an identity, striking a balance between performance, durability, and visual impact. As the building’s most visible and communicative system, it conveys intent and reveals character through material, proportion, and light.
At Architectural Wall Systems, curtain wall engineering is not simply a deliverable—it is a commitment. A commitment that the building envelope will perform as designed when theory meets reality, and one we take pride in every time we encounter the structures we have helped bring to life.