Staff Profiles
Katie Cunningham leads CWCT’s sustainability work streams, supporting member queries on live projects and driving the research, technical review and publication of industry guidance, Technical Notes and analysis tools. Her work focuses on improving the clarity, consistency and practical application of façade sustainability design and assessment across the sector.
Katie has almost eight years’ experience in architectural practice, working on complex, high-value buildings, predominantly high-rise residential, high-end commercial new build and refurbishment projects. A qualified architect with an MSc in Façade Engineering, she has worked across all project stages, from feasibility and concept design through to detailed design and construction.
Before joining CWCT, Katie worked for a Teir 1 Main Contractor as a Project Façade Engineer and Architect, where she developed whole life carbon capability for dynamic façade assessment, established QA processes for sustainability data, and advised on façade strategy, product development and carbon reduction opportunities.
Katie’s award-winning dissertation explored the assessment of design for disassembly, reconfiguration and reuse in façades, reflecting her wider commitment to practical, technically robust approaches to circular economy and embodied carbon reduction. She has been involved in CWCT publications include Module D Explained, Understanding Façade Complexity and the FaCE Tool.
Mark graduated from the University of Victoria, in British Columbia, Canada, with a degree in Engineering, specialising in mechanical engineering. After initially starting in the marine industry, gaining experience working in harsh marine environments, before transitioning to building science. There, he primarily focused on investigations, condition assessments and the refurbishment of existing buildings.
Mark obtained his Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licence in British Columbia in 2016.In 2018, Mark relocated to London working as a Senior Façade Engineer for a multidisciplinary consultancy, where he applied his experiences in façade failures and building restoration to new-build design projects across the UK. He achieved Chartered Engineer status with CIBSE and gained membership of the Society of Façade Engineering in 2019.
Since 2021, Mark has focused on research and the development of guidance and standards, working with the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology, contributing to industry-leading work aimed at improving the performance and quality of the building envelope.
David Metcalfe is the CWCT Director and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Centre. He is a physics graduate with an MSc in Façade Engineering from the University of Bath.
David is a Fellow of the Society of Façade Engineering and a Board member. He is chair of the Education Committee, a member of the Building Safety Act, Membership and Technical Committees, and past chair of the Fire Committee.
He is a Director of the Joint Competence Initiative (JCI), leading efforts to raise competency across the building envelope sector.
David has provided leadership on the subject of façade sustainability, through establishing a Sustainability Committee and various workstreams, providing much needed guidance to the industry.
Much of David’s recent work has revolved around the issue of fire and facades. This has included authoring various guidance documents, presentations, involvement in various working/advisory groups, and collaboration with other organisations. He was also a member of Expert Panels for a number of government research projects and the development of standards.
Previous areas of work have included built-up walls, automated facades, double skin facades, and thermal performance.
Adam Nagy is a structural and façade engineer who has practised since 2010, with a portfolio developed in engineering design and simulation, technical leadership, product and methodology development in multiple sectors.
Having worked on high-value projects across the UK and internationally, Adam has undertaken technical and project leadership roles across manufacturers, specialist contractors and consultancies, leading façade engineering teams and technical development initiatives. His building envelope engineering experience spans across various systems from conventional façades, typical curtain walls, to free-form envelopes and canopies, and materials of structural and stainless steel, aluminium, glass, ETFE membranes and pillows, cables in tensile and tensegrity systems.
Adam holds an MSc with distinction from the University of Surrey, specialising in spatial structures and envelopes. His dissertation on the progressive collapse analysis of an envelope system was awarded the RC Vaughan Prize.
Adam joined CWCT in 2023 support the structural integrity-related research and development. His work includes technical research, development of industry guidance, support for member enquiries, management of test witnessing services, and teaching on the MSc Façade Engineering programme. His involvement with academia spans more than fourteen years, encompassing study, teaching and industry-focused research.
Simon graduated from Coventry University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Technology and began his career as a Façade Engineer with a UK façade specialist subcontractor, providing structural engineering support across a range of projects. During this time, he also completed a Master’s degree in Civil and Structural Engineering at Coventry University. He is a Member of the Society of Façade Engineering.
He has since worked with a number of international façade consultancies and specialist contractors, gaining experience across both design consultancy and contractor environments. This has provided him with an understanding of the project lifecycle from concept design and coordination through to detailed design, fabrication, and installation across a range of façade systems.
Simon has contributed to a wide range of façade projects, including low-rise curtain walling, rainscreen, and cladding developments through to luxury retail flagship stores, and major projects for internationally recognised design practices. He has also played a key role in the design, management, and delivery of façade systems for a record-breaking supertall tower project.
Since joining CWCT in 2020, Simon has focused on providing structural engineering support, contributing to the development of guidance documentation, and supporting the Façade Engineering Master’s programme through content development and lecturing.