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Elevating Building Exterior through Advancements in Façades, Cladding & Fenestration

By: Ashish Batra, Uniifyy

The field of building exteriors has seen significant progress in the development of materials for cladding façades, windows, and doors. Architects and designers now have a diverse selection of materials, such as glass, aluminium, metals, concrete, brick, fly ash, wood, bamboo, rammed earth, and tensile fabric. These materials offer distinct properties that allow for visually impressive and environmentally appropriate structures to be created.

Glass has gained immense popularity due to its transparency, versatility, and capacity to maximise natural light in buildings. With advancements in glass technology, such as low-emissivity coatings and double or triple glazing, improved insulation and solar control are achieved, leading to reduced energy usage for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Aluminium, known for its lightweight properties, durability, and recyclability, is another commonly used material for cladding systems. Aluminium Composite Panels have gained popularity for offering dynamic, sleek façades with a wide range of colours, finishes, and designs. Stone, high-pressure laminate, glass, zinc, metal, ceramic, and concrete offer diverse options for achieving desired aesthetics and performance in cladding applications.

Cladding trends have evolved to encompass a wide array of materials, colours, and designs. There is an increasing demand for sustainable and natural materials like wood and bamboo, as they add a touch of warmth and organic appeal to the building envelope. Alternative materials such as rammed earth and tensile fabric have also garnered attention for their unique and sustainable attributes. In fenestration, material and system selection is primarily driven by factors such as energy efficiency, durability, and design adaptability. Common materials for windows and doors include uPVC (Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride), aluminium, wood, and other metals. uPVC is favoured for its exceptional insulation, low maintenance needs, and cost-effectiveness.

Aluminium is renowned for its strength, lightweight nature, and sleek profiles, making it well-suited for contemporary architectural designs. Wood, prized for its timeless aesthetics and natural insulation properties, remains a popular choice, while other metals offer durability and customisation possibilities.

As the industry embraces sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies, we can anticipate a future brimming with advancements that will shape the aesthetics and performance of buildings on a global scale. The integration of innovative materials, the application of advanced technologies, and the adherence to high standards for façades, cladding, and fenestration will continue to elevate building exteriors, creating visually stunning, sustainable, and functional spaces.

Modernly Luxurious A house in Gurugram, Haryana

We as a design team not only believe in these principles of design but also reflect on them in each design we create. One such is the above-showcased project called, ‘Modernly Luxurious’ built in Gurgaon spanning 500 sq. yards that exemplifies the use of innovative materials, advanced technologies, and adherence to high standards for façades, cladding, and fenestration.

Using oak veneer on the walls creates a visually stunning and acoustically harmonious study space. The combination of revolving louvers and ventilation quality in the façade ensures optimal control over sunlight and heat gain. The use of terrazzo stone for the table adds sophistication and elegance to the overall design.

In terms of technologies, the project embraces modern systems to enhance sustainability and energy efficiency. The façade system promotes natural ventilation, contributing to a pleasant and comfortable living environment. Energy-efficient systems are integrated to minimise the ecological footprint of the project.

Moreover, the project also adheres to high façades, cladding, and fenestration standards. The choice of materials and construction techniques ensures durability and longevity. Overall, the design takes into account local climate conditions, optimising natural light penetration while mitigating heat gain. The design achieves a harmonious balance between aesthetics and performance by following these standards.

In conclusion, the advancements in façades, cladding, and fenestration have revolutionised the architecture and construction industry. We as designers continue to push and re-create new boundaries and look forward to exciting developments that will shape the form, functionality, functionality, and sustenance of buildings in the future.

QUICK FACTS:

• Project: Modernly Luxurious
• Location: Gurugram
• Client: Dr. Goyal
• Architect: Ar. Ashish Batra and Ar. Kavita Batra
• Architectural Hardware used: Zinc, Aluminium windows, powder-coated grills, HPL, Thermo-Ash wood
• Commencement Date: 2020
• Completion Date: 2022

Article - with insights from Kavita Batra, Founder& Principal Architect of the design firm, Uniifyy.