Behind The Facade

While the work it does is visually focused, the Building Facade Group prides itself on a multi-layered approach to designing striking yet sustainable building exteriors. Managing Director Sani Chang discusses the journey so far and what’s to come.

- Holly Johnson

An expert in building facade design, Sani Chang thinks of himself as a skin specialist of the construction world. “In the 1990s, we saw the emergence of specialist building consultancies to meet the demand for larger and more complex projects, which required skills beyond those of traditional construction companies. These developers aspired to great things and a higher standard of excellence. This is how the facade consultancy business came about,” he explains. “Filling the gap between architects and structural engineers, we design the building’s skin – whether that be with elements of steel, aluminium, stone or glass. We often joke that we’re shallow designers because we operate superficially. Nonetheless, a building’s skin is one of its most distinctive aspects, and a brilliant facade is more exciting to look at than bland tunnel linings.”

Building on his extensive architectural and facade background, over the past 22 years, Sani has honed his knowledge and experience in the design and procurement of facade systems internationally. Tired of the top-down corporate structure and the industry’s slow recovery following the 2008 GFC, in 2010 Sani and his colleagues decided to take a risk and launch their own consultancy practice, the Building Facade Group (registered as HCCH Consulting in Singapore). “We started a small office in Singapore with three employees who spent most of their time waiting for the phone to ring,” he laughs. “Nevertheless, we knew that after so many years in the industry, we were good at what we did. This was our chance to prove ourselves, rather than shelter under the corporate umbrella. So, at the age of 49, I took the bold step – I put my money where my mouth was.”