Event Location: Glass Wall Systems, Hotel ITC Grand, Mumbai on 1st of August Glass Wall Systems announced the opening of a new design studio at Marathon Max, Lower Parel, Mumbai and a brand new manufacturing facility at a gala dinner hosted by the promoters in Hotel ITC Grand, Mumbai on 1st of August. With the influx of fresh funds, market looking upwards and a strong back up of new and existing orders, there is only upward swing for the façade major. An unabashed show of self-sufficiency was all that it needs to boost the sinking spirits of the market plagued by uncertainties since long. The event witnessed a power-packed guest list comprising of the who’s who of the Indian construction industry. Raman Sapru from Oberoi Constructions, Rahul Saraf from Forum Group, Hemant Shah from Ackruti Group, Jimmy Gandhi from Lodha, John Guest from Omkar Developers, HasmukhUpadhyay from Wadhwa Group, Vivek...

AluArc, a trademark of Gurkan Building Elements Inc, has introduced movable glass systems to meet the diversified requirements of customers for space enclosures, partitions and weather protection. The systems are the result of Turkey’s oldest and pioneer system design company and of 30 years of Turkish and Austrian expertise. The company currently exports to more than 40 countries. [caption id="attachment_34350" align="alignleft" width="300"] Sibel Mutlu General Manager AluArc[/caption] Architects and designers want to bring the aesthetics and joy of outdoors and create additional living spaces to the buildings with flexible solutions. With the high stability of aluminium and creative design of movable glass systems, more transparent spaces can be created without sacrificing the durability and strength. The systems require minimal tool usage and simplest possible manufacturing and installation duration 's which create a high value for the manufacturing dealers. Moreover, the performance to investment ratio comparing to standard window system makes...

The term ‘façade’ is derived from the Italian word ‘Facciata” which refers to the exterior or different faces of a building. With the development of new technology in the field of art and architecture and innovative designs and forms, façade has become a contested space for discussion among architects, designers and academicians. The definition of surface in an urban context is subjective and has various meanings and representations. In today’s contemporary world, the façade is treated as a stage for performance and demonstration and has an active integration with its neighbourhood. [caption id="attachment_57367" align="alignnone" width="774"] In the project Floating Walls, the exterior surfaces are a blend of clean white walls juxtaposed against timber and glass[/caption] Façade is a fusion of numerous art forms and has unexplored potential as a territory for architectural invention. It acts as a palette for creating ingenious patterns that interact with people and their settings. Façade...

In the dynamic landscape of contemporary architecture, glass façades stand as iconic symbols of modernity, sophistication, and connectivity with the surrounding environment. However, amidst the growing discourse on sustainability in the built environment, the excessive use of glass in building façades has come under scrutiny for its environmental impacts. In this article, we aim to delve into the nuanced considerations surrounding the strategic reduction of glass in building façades, exploring its multifaceted environmental benefits and implications within the broader context of sustainable architectural design. Environmental Imperatives and Strategies Glass, renowned for its luminous qualities and architectural allure, has pervaded modern building design, particularly in façades. Yet, its ubiquitous presence poses significant environmental challenges, spanning energy consumption, carbon emissions, and resource depletion. The environmental impact of glass usage encompasses multiple dimensions, from energy-intensive production processes to operational inefficiencies. Efforts to mitigate these impacts necessitate a multipronged approach, emphasising reduction strategies, and...

What is the size of the present architectural glass market in India? The Indian glass market is evaluated at around INR 125 billion in FY 22 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6-6.5% through FY 2028. Growth in the Indian glass market is majorly driven by the growth of value-added products which cover high-performance glasses and other specialized glasses which help in achieving sustainability through their functional properties. The growth of coated glass in India is largely led by the domestic players because of the obvious advantage of supply through local players to save on fuel and carbon emissions. While the major driving factor for the glass industry is high-performance glass, the concern is that this consists of a very small share of the overall glass market. Coated glass is only 13-15% of the total glass market which in other developed countries is around 40-45%. The major...

Glass has become a transformative material in modern architecture, offering a multitude of advantages that go far beyond its aesthetic appeal. As a favored façade material, it allows for sleek and versatile designs, maximizes natural light penetration, and fosters a strong connection with the surrounding environment. Moreover, innovations like low-emissivity coatings have significantly contributed to the energy efficiency of glass, making it a sustainable choice for modern buildings. In regions with abundant sunlight, such as the Gulf, glass façades play a crucial role in optimizing energy savings by reducing the need for artificial lighting and cooling. [caption id="attachment_55528" align="alignright" width="300"] Image Courtesy - Future Architectural Glass[/caption] The choice of glass type and coatings also plays a pivotal role in determining a building’s energy efficiency and thermal performance. Factors like double or triple glazing, Low-E coatings, and tinted or reflective glass impact insulation and solar control, make it essential to consider...

Can you provide an overview of Emirates Glass LLC’s core products and services, and how it contributes to the glass industry in the Middle East and globally? Our product range includes more than 400 different and in-house developed performance coatings, from hard and solar control coatings to low-emissivity single and double silver, selective double silver, coatings across the entire colour spectrum to meet even the most challenging requirements we receive from consultants and architects in terms of performance and aesthetics. Emirates Glass also provides a wide array of double or triple-glazed insulating glass units, safety, bullet-resistant and laminated glass, non-rectangular and bent elements – or a combination of any of the above. Some more special products include glazing units with captured or suspended elements for aesthetic or performance-enhancing applications such as honeycomb diffusers, metal and synthetic meshes, or mashrabiya inserts to reflect our local heritage and ability to integrate traditional...

The word ‘Façade’ means ‘Face’ in French, and a building’s façade is actually the front of a building and its face. Glass walls on the exterior of buildings are widely used to improve the beauty, keep the interior temperature in check, and allow enough natural light to enter which gave rise to the increasing use of glass. Some of the advantages of using glass in high-rise buildings: Efficiency: The glass façade on the exterior of the building allows an optimum level of natural light to enter, which reduces the cost of lighting. Safety & Maintenance: The key factors to consider while designing a façade are safety, longevity, and maintenance. Glass has a smooth glossy surface, so it is dustproof and can be cleaned efficiently. Unlike other materials, it is easy to maintain. Strength & Weather Resistance: The materials used in glass façades are extremely strong and durable. They are designed...

Nowadays, responsible designs & constructions are integrating façade fire safety right from the designing & planning phase - fire-resistant materials of construction are used (e.g. FR ACP, FR High-Performance Glass, ACM), evacuation spaces are provisioned, firefighting systems are integrated, etc. Active fire protection is primarily the action is about detecting, stopping and escaping fire. Automatic fire detection & alarm system • Automatic sprinkler/spray system Total flooding systems/fire suppression systems Foam pourer system Fixed water monitors Fire extinguishers Fire hydrant system/standpipe/yard hydrants Fire hose reels Ventilation & evacuation Passive fire protection breaks the building into compartments and prevents the spread of the fire through the use of fire-resistance-rated walls and floors and contains the fire. Separation & compartmentation of vertical openings (stairways, exits, hazards, etc.) Smoke and fire dampers Fire doors • Fire stops Intumescent fireproofing/coatings STANDARD FIRE TESTS FOR MATERIALS ISO 13785-1:2002 specifies a screening method for determining the reaction...

Cladding acts like the skin of the built form and is an integral part of the building. Innovative cladding designs can add more aesthetics to the building and can add more value to the character of the building. Most of us see cladding systems as a means to provide an architectural expression with a high-impact aesthetic layer to the building. We often delve with parametric techniques to design the geometric system for cladding followed by play of materials and colours, says Ar. Sushant Verma, Founder, rat[LAB] Studio. [caption id="attachment_54654" align="alignright" width="137"] AR. SUSHANT VERMA Founder, rat[LAB] Studio[/caption]Exterior wall cladding serves several important purposes in the construction & design of buildings. Cladding enhances the visual appearance of a building and contributes to its overall design and architectural style. It provides a protective barrier against the elements, such as rain, wind, snow, and sunlight. Cladding protects the underlying structure from wear and...

Exterior wall cladding is a crucial aspect of building design that offers both practical benefits and aesthetic value. It enhances a building’s appearance, protects it from the weather elements, and contributes to its overall performance and longevity. The choice of cladding material should be made based on factors such as climate, architectural style, maintenance considerations, and environmental impact. The right cladding helps to maintain the buildings weather-tight and cost-effective. It provides thermal insulation and helps in reducing the temperature variation inside the building. It also helps to improve interior acoustics and daylighting. The cladding can influence the value, saleability and safety of the building. So cladding your property effectively is a wise investment that pays both short and longer-term dividends. Certainly, investing in new cladding for your property can be a great way to enhance its aesthetic appeal and give it a unique touch. Investing time and thought into selecting...

The word façade originally comes from the Italian word “facciata”, and is defined as the outside or all of the external faces of a building. The term is frequently used to refer just to the main or front face of a building. Along with the roof, cladding is one of the most important elements of a building, since it acts as the primary barrier against external weather elements that could damage the health of the structure, such as rain, snow, wind, frost, sun, etc. Because of this, it is very important to choose a façade system that protects against these risks whilst helping to achieve lower energy consumption, reduce maintenance costs and improve comfort for the inhabitants. Contemporary homes are unique for their incorporation of multiple architectural styles. While they feature the minimal adornment, open spaces and large windows of modern homes, they are also characterized by free-form composition not...

The View Hospital in Doha, Qatar, exemplifies how media façades can not only be used to convey brand messaging or experiential artwork at a giant scale but can also be a key facet of an architectural concept. The View Hospital is located directly on the waterfront and this stunning location is referenced in the façade design with the help of LED lighting integrated into 4,000 sqm of glazing. This high-tech media façade system is a transparent glass, full media display, and structural building element all in one. It also fulfilled all prerequisite functional and design specifications from the design consultants. [caption id="attachment_53147" align="alignleft" width="300"] The View Hospital, Qatar. The 3D rendering of the media façade used in the winning competition bid[/caption] When designing the building, the architects took the surrounding water as a defining element for the elegant glass façade. Measuring 8,000 sqm overall, it covers virtually the entire front...

Glazed Façades in high-rise buildings are associated with Iconic architectural trends developed by world-renowned architects in quest of clean sleek looking surfaces created by the glass. Additionally, the glass offers panoramic unobstructed views, hence enhancing the monetary value of the property itself. Daylight running through the glazing floods the internal space and connects the outside to the inside, creating a sense of well-being within the space. It increases energy efficiency by reducing the constant need for artificial lighting. Glass is quite a durable material. When specified and built properly, it can stand the test of time even in harsh environments with little upkeep. Types of Glass Facades While the façade market offers an abundant variety of façade system solutions, Unitized, Semi-Unitized and Stick curtain walls form the bulk of any high-rise building. Façade engineers should be well adept at selecting the right façade system suiting their project’s needs. Criteria behind...

What are the advantages of glass façades in high-rise buildings? Aesthetics: Glass façades are visually appealing and can create a clean and sleek look for high-rise buildings. They can also be used to create unique shapes and structures that would not be possible with traditional building materials. The transparent nature of glass allows a building’s interior to be visible from the outside, which can add to the aesthetic appeal of the building. Natural light: Glass façades allow daylight to enter the building, making it more airy and bright, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. This can result in energy savings and a more pleasant indoor environment for building occupants, which is the need of the hour. This can help to reduce energy costs, improving the overall mood of people working or living in the building. [caption id="attachment_51891" align="alignleft" width="500"] Prestige Minsk Square[/caption]  Views: High-rise buildings with glass...