Tell Us About Aedium Designs. When Did You Start, And What Has Your Journey Been Like So Far?
Deepu Shyam Prakash (DSP): We kicked things off in October 2022, and since then, we’ve been on an exciting ride! We’re a One-Stop Design Consultancy firm, and in a short amount of time, we’ve earned recognition for our fresh and innovative approach to architecture and design. Our philosophy is all about integrating key design elements—architecture, interiors, landscape, and sustainability—into one seamless process.
At the core of everything we do is a client-centric approach. We love working closely with our clients, getting to know their needs and aspirations, and creating designs that really reflect their vision. And, of course, we aim to go above and beyond expectations.
Sustainability is also a big part of who we are. We make sure to incorporate eco-friendly materials and technologies into our projects whenever possible. Innovation is key for us, too—we’re constantly exploring new design possibilities and staying ahead of the curve. We also believe in the power of collaboration, always working hand-in-hand with our clients, consultants, and other partners to make sure each project is a success.
As we keep growing, our goal is to leave a lasting impact on India’s design landscape while staying true to our values of innovation, sustainability, and client satisfaction.
What Are Some Of The Major Milestone Projects For Aedium Designs So Far?
In just 2.5 years, we’ve built up a portfolio of over 40 million square feet of built-up area, covering all sorts of projects—commercial, hospitality, healthcare, residential, and industrial. Some of our major projects include the World Trade Center in Shamshabad (3.46 million sq. ft.), the Manjushree Packaging Manufacturing Facility in Mysuru (0.4 million sq. ft.), Kaynes Semiconductor Manufacturing Facility (0.2 million sq. ft.), Aster Hospital in Kasaragod (0.2 million sq. ft.), and Kauvery Hospital in Hosur (0.34 million sq. ft.). We’ve had the privilege of working with some great groups like Sattva, Assetz, Concorde, Puravankara, and Sumadhura, just to name a few.
What Type Of Projects Does The Firm Specialise In? Could You Share A Few Of Your Milestone Projects?
DSP: Aedium Design specialises in a diverse range of projects across various sectors, including Residential, Commercial & Retail, Industrial & Manufacturing, Business Parks, Healthcare, and Hospitality. This diverse portfolio demonstrates Aedium’s versatility and ability to cater to a wide range of client needs and project requirements.
What Is Your Take On Sustainable Façade And Fenestration Designs?
Nishanth H.H (NHH): Sustainable façade and fenestration design is fundamental to energy-efficient and environmentally responsible architecture. Thoughtful planning of window and glazing locations can optimise daylighting, ventilation, and thermal comfort.
For example, north-facing windows (in the Northern Hemisphere) allow consistent natural light without excessive heat gain, while south-facing openings benefit from shading devices such as overhangs, fins, or louvres to prevent overheating. East- and west-facing windows, which are prone to glare and heat gain, should be minimised or effectively shaded.
Building orientation further enhances sustainability by aligning the structure with the sun’s path and prevailing wind patterns. Orienting the longest façade to face north-south reduces solar heat gain and facilitates passive cooling through cross-ventilation.
Choosing sustainable façade materials- such as recycled metal, photovoltaic panels, green walls, corten steel, and high-performance glazing- minimises environmental impact while improving insulation and durability.
Smart façades take sustainability to the next level by integrating advanced technologies like dynamic glazing, photovoltaic panels, and automated shading systems that respond to environmental conditions. These features adapt to changes in temperature and sunlight, ensuring optimal energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Together, these strategies enable buildings to achieve reduced operational energy consumption, enhanced user comfort, and a smaller carbon footprint while exemplifying modern, sustainable design principles.
How Would You Define Your Design Process For Façades And Fenestrations In Your Projects?
NHH: Our design process for façades and fenestrations revolves around creating a unique identity for each project while prioritising sustainability, user experience, and attention to detail.
We begin by immersing ourselves in the context and purpose of the project—analysing the site’s climate, cultural influences, and the building’s function. This informs the development of a façade that reflects the project’s character, whether through innovative use of materials, shapes, or patterns, creating a distinct architectural identity.
Sustainability is a core principle throughout the process. We select high-performance, eco-friendly materials, such as energy-efficient glazing, recycled metals, and renewable resources, to minimise the building’s environmental impact. We also optimise the placement of windows to maximise daylight, reduce energy consumption, and ensure thermal comfort.
Enhancing the user experience is central to our design approach. We aim to create façades that allow for ample natural light and views while minimising glare and maintaining a comfortable indoor climate. The strategic use of shading devices, operable windows, and thoughtful detailing ensures that occupants enjoy a pleasant, functional space.
Finally, we are detail-oriented, ensuring that every design decision – whether structural, material, or aesthetic – is carefully considered. Our goal is to create façades that not only function sustainably but also contribute to the project’s identity, making it memorable and impactful for both users and the community.
Please Talk About Some Of The Most Preferred Façade Materials.
NHH: In our projects, we favour materials that not only offer high performance but also enhance the building’s visual and environmental integrity. High-performance glass is a cornerstone of our façade designs. It allows for optimal daylighting while minimising energy loss and heat gain, creating a comfortable interior climate. Additionally, the transparency of the glass enhances the building’s connection to its surroundings, contributing to both its aesthetic appeal and occupant well-being.
Aluminium is another material we often choose for its versatility and durability. It is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and easy to maintain, making it ideal for intricate designs and large-scale installations. Its recyclability adds to its sustainability, ensuring the facade remains eco-friendly.
Zinc is valued for its timeless, natural appearance. As it weathers, zinc develops a unique patina, giving the façade a dynamic and evolving look. It is low-maintenance and extremely durable, making it perfect for projects that require both aesthetics and longevity.
Terrazzo panels bring texture and a sense of luxury to façades. Made from a combination of marble, quartz, or other aggregates set in concrete, terrazzo offers both sustainability and design flexibility. It is durable, low-maintenance, and can be customised in a wide range of colours and finishes, contributing to a unique and elegant façade that also offers thermal mass benefits.
Could You Please Brief Me On The Latest Trends In Façade And Fenestration Designs, Materials, And Technologies?
NHH: The latest trends in façade and fenestration designs reflect a growing focus on sustainability, innovation, and enhanced user experience. Among the most exciting developments are dynamic façades, smart glass, IoT in façades, and photovoltaic façades, all of which contribute to energy efficiency and environmental responsiveness.
Dynamic façades are revolutionising building design by allowing façades to adapt to changing environmental conditions. These façades feature adjustable elements such as shading devices, louvers, and operable panels that respond to sunlight, temperature, and weather, optimising energy use and improving indoor comfort. By reducing solar heat gain and glare, dynamic façades help minimise the need for artificial lighting and mechanical cooling, thus lowering a building’s energy consumption.
Smart glass, also known as electrochromic glass, is another major trend. This technology enables glass to change its opacity in response to electrical signals. Smart glass reduces heat buildup, glare, and the need for blinds, allowing for greater control over the indoor environment while maintaining access to natural light and views.
The integration of IoT in façades enables real-time monitoring and control of building systems. Sensors embedded in façades track environmental variables like temperature, humidity, and light, allowing automatic adjustments to heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. This intelligent approach improves energy efficiency and ensures optimal comfort.
Please Brief On The Things To Consider While Designing The Most Sustainable Façades And Fenestrations, And Their Designs.
NHH: When designing sustainable façades and fenestrations, it’s crucial to focus on creating energy-efficient buildings that minimise their environmental impact while improving occupant comfort. Several factors play a significant role in achieving these goals, and considering them will ensure the façade and fenestration designs are not only visually appealing but also responsible and functional.
Building orientation is one of the key elements to consider. The positioning of a building can have a major impact on its energy consumption. By strategically placing façades and fenestrations, you can optimise natural light penetration, which reduces the need for artificial lighting. Moreover, proper orientation helps regulate solar heat gain, leading to better thermal performance and reducing the need for air conditioning and other cooling systems.
Choosing the right materials is equally important. Sustainable material selection is essential for ensuring durability and energy efficiency in the façade. Using materials such as high-performance glass, aluminum, or locally sourced and recycled materials helps minimise the environmental footprint. Materials with high insulation properties, such as thermally efficient glazing, are particularly beneficial in preventing heat loss during colder months or heat gain in warmer climates, enhancing the building’s overall energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency should be a priority when it comes to glazing systems. Incorporating energy-efficient technologies like double or triple glazing, low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings, and thermally broken frames can significantly improve the building’s thermal performance. In addition, advanced technologies such as Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) can transform façades into power-generating surfaces, which not only provide renewable energy but also contribute to the building’s energy autonomy.
Smart fenestrations, which include intelligent systems like electrochromic glass and dynamic shading devices, are another essential aspect. These systems automatically adjust to changing environmental conditions, controlling solar heat gain, glare, and light levels. Such technology improves user comfort while also reducing energy consumption by adjusting to real-time needs.
Lastly, maintaining sustainability goes beyond design and materials. The maintenance and durability of the façade should also be taken into account. Sustainable façades should be easy to maintain and designed to last for many years, with materials and systems that can withstand environmental stress and require minimal upkeep. This approach helps ensure the long-term efficiency of the building while reducing maintenance costs over time.
By focusing on these factors, architects can design façades and fenestrations that are sustainable, energy-efficient, and contribute to a building’s overall environmental performance.
What Are The Design Tools Used In Designing Effective And Efficient Façades For Buildings?
NHH: To design façades that are both effective and efficient, architects today rely on a combination of advanced tools that focus on performance, sustainability, and user experience. Key technologies such as Building Information modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and computational design have significantly reshaped the façade design process, making it more data-driven, precise, and adaptable.
BIM is instrumental in creating comprehensive 3D models that integrate all aspects of a building’s façade. By providing a platform for architects, engineers, and contractors to collaborate, BIM enables design decisions to be based on accurate, up-to-date data. This tool also allows for simulations that optimise factors such as energy use, daylighting, thermal efficiency, and material selection, helping to refine the façade’s performance before physical work begins.
The integration of AI brings another layer of optimisation by analysing large datasets, such as weather patterns, sunlight, and air circulation. AI-driven systems can generate façade designs that improve energy efficiency and enhance comfort. Furthermore, AI tools can predict the long-term durability and maintenance needs of façades, ensuring that they remain effective and sustainable throughout their lifespan.
VR enhances the design process by allowing both designers and clients to interact with 3D representations of the façade in an immersive environment. This provides a better understanding of how the design will look in real life, making it easier to identify issues and refine designs early on.
Lastly, computational design tools allow for the exploration of complex geometries, using algorithms to create optimised façade solutions that balance aesthetic beauty with high performance, minimising material waste and maximising sustainability. Together, these tools empower architects to create façades that are not only visually appealing but also efficient, durable, and environmentally responsible.
Please Provide A Brief On Future Façade Technologies, Designs, And Materials That You Wish To See In The Next 20 Years.
NHH: The future of façade technologies, designs, and materials over the next two decades will be marked by a harmonious integration of innovation, sustainability, and advanced design principles. As the architectural industry shifts towards environmental stewardship and occupant well-being, façades will evolve from mere protective layers into dynamic, high-performance systems that enhance energy efficiency, aesthetic appeal, and environmental sustainability.
Smart façades will play a pivotal role in this transformation. By incorporating advanced materials like electrochromic glass, these façades will adjust their transparency in response to changes in sunlight and temperature. This ability to control heat gain and light Smart façades will play a pivotal role in this transformation. By incorporating advanced materials like electrochromic glass, these façades will adjust their transparency in response to changes in sunlight and temperature. This ability to control heat gain and light levels will reduce reliance on artificial lighting and cooling, improving energy efficiency while still maintaining natural light and expansive views. Additionally, dynamic shading systems will allow façades to respond automatically to the sun’s movement, minimising solar heat gain and preventing excessive glare, which in turn reduces energy costs.
Another key trend will be the development of energy-generating façades. With the integration of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), façades will transform into active energy producers. Solar panels embedded within the building envelope will convert sunlight into electricity, powering the building or contributing excess energy to the grid. Advances in solar technology and design integration will make these systems more efficient and visually appealing, turning façades into essential components of a building’s renewable energy strategy.
As environmental concerns intensify, biophilic and living façades will become more common. Plant-covered walls, or green façades, will not only improve the building’s aesthetic value but also contribute to air purification, thermal insulation, and the reduction of the urban heat island effect. Hydroponic and aquaponic systems could also be incorporated, allowing for vertical gardening that contributes to sustainable food production.
Furthermore, AI and automation will revolutionise façade design and performance. Intelligent systems will continuously monitor environmental conditions, adjusting the building’s energy use and enhancing occupant comfort. Automated manufacturing and installation processes will streamline façade production, making high-performance and sustainable façades more accessible and cost-effective.
Looking ahead, the next 20 years will bring significant evolution to façades, transforming them into multi-functional, sustainable, and responsive systems. These changes will play a crucial role in enhancing a building’s energy efficiency, shaping its aesthetic identity, and reducing its environmental impact. As a result, the way buildings interact with their surroundings will be redefined, paving the way for more intelligent and eco-friendly architecture in the future.
“The future of façade technologies, designs, and materials over the next two decades will be marked by a harmonious integration of innovation, sustainability, and advanced design principles.”
