New Building Enclosure Design and Construction Consulting

Q: Does CANY design buildings?

No, CANY provides building enclosure consulting to support architects and owners in delivering high-performance, code-compliant envelope systems.

Q: When should we engage CANY?

Early involvement—ideally during schematic or design development—lets CANY add value through design review, system selection, and detailing support.

Q: Can CANY assist with façade upgrades on existing buildings?

Yes, CANY also consults on existing buildings. Façade upgrades for older buildings fall under our restoration and retrofit services.

Q: What does it mean to 'unlock square footage' under programs like Zone Green?

Incentive programs like Zone Green allow developers to exceed zoning limits by meeting energy efficiency standards—CANY helps you qualify.

At CANY, we partner with architects, owners, and project teams on new construction projects to deliver high-performance, resilient building enclosures that uphold exceptional performance and architectural integrity.

From early design through construction, we offer a holistic approach, while focusing on the critical details of a building’s enclosure - foundation, waterproofing, façade systems, glazing, and roofing. We make sure these elements work together as one continuous, protective system.

What We Do

CANY’s enclosure consulting services support every phase of new construction with a focus on design and technical problem-solving, performance validation, constructability, and code compliance. We help architects build what they’ve designed and assist owners in meeting their project goals efficiently and cost-effectively.

We work closely with the design team from start to finish:

Reviewing schematic, design development, construction documents to ensure constructability, durability, and code compliance.
Providing technical recommendations and detailing, based on experience and proven performance.
Preparing enclosure specifications to align performance standards and clarify requirements.
Providing construction-phase support, through submittal reviews, mock-up and field observations, and installation inspections to confirm the enclosure is built as designed.
Observing lab and field tests to verify performance, including curtain wall and window field tests, roof flood tests, and full-scale performance mock-ups.
Advising on coordinating sequencing to avoid coordination issues and construction delays.
Supporting energy compliance, performing whole building performance model exterior envelope data, COMcheck analysis, THERM/WUFI simulations, thermal bridge and condensation risk assessments, and navigating NYC Energy Conservation Code and incentives like Zone Green.

Talk to CANY about your next project – see what’s possible.

New Building Enclosure Design and Construction Consulting

Have a project in mind? We’d love to hear about it—let’s talk and see how we can help bring it to life.

Why New Building Enclosure Consulting Service Matters

In New York City, building enclosures are required by code to act as a continuous membrane, protecting the building from the ground up. This includes foundations, walls, fenestrations and roofs. Although comprised of various system and materials, the building enclosure must

perform as a single, unified system to ensure consistent protection and performance.

Our consulting service helps make sure that happens—so your building stays energy-

efficient, weather-tight, and code-compliant.

A well-designed, properly built enclosure:

Controls air and water infiltration
Enhances energy performance
Reduces operating costs
Assists in overall performance to meet applicable Local Laws
Can unlock additional square footage under incentive programs like Zone Green, NYSERDA New Construction and other city-backed initiatives*
Many incentive programs reward projects with high-performance building enclosures (better insulation, airtightness, and energy efficiency). In some cases, like Zone Green, this can mean extra usable, rentable, or sellable space beyond standard zoning limits. Others, like NYSERDA’s New Construction Program or Con Edison Efficiency Programs, provide financial incentives for exceeding code-mandated energy performance. CANY helps projects qualify for these benefits by delivering energy-efficient building enclosure designs that meet or surpass the required performance benchmarks.

CANY's Involvement

With nearly three decades of expertise, CANY brings a solution-focused, performance-driven, technically rigorous approach to every new construction project. We align design intent with resilient, high-performing building enclosure systems – ensuring architecture and performance work in unison.

Our involvement spans the entire project:

Step 1 - Assessment and Consultation: CANY join the project team early to review the architect’s design intent, project goals, and enclosure concepts. We assess the proposed systems, code implications, and potential risks to set clear expectations and project priorities.
Step 2 - Design Reviews: We perform thorough design reviews and system evaluations. We refine details, recommend materials, and plan sequencing to balance aesthetics, performance, constructability, and budget.
Step 3 - Execution and Implementation: During the construction process, we review, observe mock-ups and performance tests, inspect key installations, and verify code compliance.
Step 4 - Ongoing Support and Optimization: CANY remain engaged through completion, conducting building enclosure inspections, resolving field issues in real time.

We understand the importance and impact of building enclosure decisions, and we help project teams make practical, informed choices early, where they matter most.

Key Benefits

Why Choose CANY for New Building Enclosure Consulting?

Independent enclosure experts with nearly 30 years of hands-on experience
Proven ability to provide balanced, performance-driven solutions that honor the design vision
Strong support for energy performance, cost control and Local Law 97 compliance
Field-driven solutions and best practices to reduce the risk of delays and costly construction errors
Effective collaboration and communication from design through testing and construction
Intelligent, buildable solutions that unlock code incentives like Zone Green, NYSERDA New Construction, and Con Edison Energy Efficiency Programs

FAQ

Does CANY design buildings?

No, we’re consultants. We support architects and owners by consulting on building enclosure systems to ensure durability, performance and compliance.

When should we engage CANY?

Early involvement – ideally during schematic or design development – allows us to add the most value through design reviews, system recommendations, and specification development.

Can CANY assist with façade upgrades on existing buildings?

Yes. This falls under our Existing Buildings services. Even if it’s a new curtain wall system on a 20-year-old building, consider this existing building work.

What does it mean to “unlock square footage” under programs like Zone Green?

In NYC, zoning laws limit how much floor area you can build on a given site. Incentive programs like Zone Green allow projects to gain additional square footage beyond those limits if they meet specific sustainability and energy performance criteria.