A façade typically represents 30 per cent of the total development cost. The taller and more complex the building becomes, the figures escalate. A key component of the cost is the thickness of glass, framing members and size of brackets – all of which are largely dictated by the wind loads that the building is subjected to. I In today’s world, tall buildings dominate the skyline thus defining the prosperity of any modern city. Over the last two decades, the number of tall buildings over 200m in height has increased by 352 per cent (Reference CTBHU Research) and is growing. An estimate shows that Asia alone accounts for more than 70 per cent of high buildings, which are above +200 m, globally. With the early involvement of façade engineering expertise, savings can be made through coordination of the structural design. Added value can be achieved with a façade design that...

During the times of modern architecture and the international style the dream of fully glazed highrise buildings became a sparkling reality – creating astonishing façades, allowing an interaction between inside and outside and paying homage to great views. But in present days due to building regulations and higher sustainability demands this architectural intent has become more and more impossible to realize. Therefore the recently opened Festo Automation Center with its all-glass façade points out the enormous technological accomplishments and the intelligence that lies within the design of the building. [caption id="attachment_38099" align="alignleft" width="217"] Fig.1: The Festo Automation Center Tower standing proudly in Stuttgart[/caption] A normal or rather passive building envelope is transformed into an active building component reacting dynamically to changing environmental conditions. As a result cooling energy needed can be reduced by up to 20 per cent and the user comfort can be increased. This high-performance façade is based...

WFM: Please give us a brief introduction of your fim and a few of your recently completed important projects. Jonas Upton-Hansen: UHA is an international architecture and design studio based in London. The firm was founded in 2011 with an initial focus on luxury residential projects in London and grew rapidly to undertake larger-scale projects across Europe, Asia and the Americas including countries such as China, India, Mexico and Russia. Recent projects include a 20 million Sq ft mixed-use master plan in central Moscow on the historical ‘Hammer & Sickle’ steelworks; a 160m tall luxury office tower and hotel in downtown Mexico City and a corporate headquarters in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. In India, UHA is involved with a significant number of prestigious projects: in Gurgaon - the Michael Schumacher World Tower for Homestead; a series of projects for M3M Group including the St Andrew’s Tower, Escala Urbana Premium and Satya’s Element...

WFM: Please give us a brief introduction of your firm and a few of your recently completed important projects. ZC: Bentel Associates is a leading Architectural practice formed as a joint venture between ICS Group, India and Bentel Associates International, South Africa. We are a dynamic international design team, offering a full range of cutting-edge specialist design skills including master planning, architecture, interior design, graphic design and store planning. Some of our recently completed projects include – PVP Square in Vijayawada, Pacific Mall in Dehradun and Acropolis Mall in Kolkata. WFM: You have been working with international architectural firms like RTKL and SOM earlier in Madrid, Dubai, etc. How different it is to design and work on projects in India? ZC: There are always cultural differences that can create obstacles to a quick understanding of what clients want and price sensitivities which vary globally. What doesn’t change however in our...

Today, as we are progressively spending, close to 90 per cent of our time indoors – working or at leisure, the need to feel connected with the outdoors, and the natural world is also growing. A key factor catering to this need is exposure to daylight. It is more than just vitamin D, the pull of the natural view outside is built into our psyche; and this pull is addressed by the comfort that daylighting strategies in building designs, bring in. So what is Daylighting? What is the source of Daylight? How does it affect us? And if it does affect us, what amount of daylight is good? How can access to Daylight, while staying indoors, be addressed? These are some questions that come to our mind, naturally. What is Daylight? It is a carbon-neutral renewable source of energy and can replace up to 80 per cent of lighting energy...

In a rendezvous with WFM, Architect Arunjot Singh Bhalla, Managing Director, RSP Design Consultants India Pvt. Ltd, spoke about his company’s Indian operations, evolving designs and trends in façades and fenestration, and much more. WFM:Please give us a brief introduction of your firm and few of your recently completed important projects? Arunjot Singh Bhalla: RSP Design Consultants India Pvt. Ltd is an International Design Company with close to 60 years of successful track record in a diversified range of projects. The Indian operation of RSP Design was established in February 1996 with Bangalore as its main office and over the years we have forged a competent team of over 370 professionals in 5 offices across India. As Project Consultants, RSP Design provides multi-disciplinary Design Services including master planning, building planning & design, interiors, MEP and landscape design services for a wide range of projects in the institutional, residential, commercial, IT...

Kohinoor Square Tower, Kohinoor Group, Mumbai Kohinoor Square Tower, Kohinoor Group at Mumbai, India is planned as a mixed-use commercial high-rise tower. The source of inspiration for the design concept is the meaning of the name Kohinoor: mountain of light. Kohinoor is also the name of the largest diamond in the world -the hardest substance found in nature. At 52 stories, one of the towers will be among India’s tallest office buildings. The structure comprises a concrete core and post-tensioned concrete slab and spandrel beams. The tower's design objectives challenge the typical glass office building with the abstract pattern created by diamond geometry and triangulation. The triangular shapes are layered onto the building's mass and façades, through clearly defined planes and opposites: void and solid, opacity and transparency. The glass surfaces of the Kohinoor Square Tower are an abstract pattern inspired by the geometry and triangulation of a diamond. Technological...

Typical building façades require the design team to strike the right balance between a host of parameters that pull the design in different directions, including structural, aesthetic, thermal, technological, acoustics, security, and more. Healthcare facilities have not only these to contend with but a unique set of challenges that require consideration of multi-stakeholder needs, including patients, operators, health authorities, builders and architects, with often conflicting demands.Through a combination of early façade consultant engagement and the incorporation of imaginative thinking and the latest technology, the façade can literally unify these demands. Patient Comfort Patient comfort is one of the prime concerns when designing hospitals and healthcare premises. Patients require a quiet atmosphere, plenty of natural daylight, as well as thermal comfort in order to recover in the best possible environment. This involves the deployment of a variety of façade design solutions such as multi-functional low-emissivity coatings, laminated double-glazed units, exterior shading...

In the dynamic landscape of architectural hardware, adherence to global standards serves as the cornerstone of reliability, safety, and innovation. As a leading international brand specialising in architectural hardware manufacturing, Kinlong confronts a pressing challenge: the proliferation of substandard products in the marketplace. In this article, we explore the profound ramifications of substandard manufacturing practices on our industry and our collective pursuit of elevating standards of living in our rapidly developing nation. [caption id="attachment_57489" align="alignleft" width="274"] Dreams mall[/caption] In recent years, the market has been inundated with architectural hardware products that fail to meet international benchmarks. These products compromise on quality, durability, and safety, presenting a significant challenge to both consumers and industry professionals. While they may initially seem cost-effective, their long-term consequences can be severe, tarnishing the reputation of the industry and compromising the safety of end-users. One of the most significant impacts of substandard manufacturing is its erosion...

How have you seen the adoption of BIM evolve in the field of architecture and façade design over the years? The adoption of BIM technologies has been experiencing steady and rising demand in the last few years, on the global level and especially in the Gulf Area, where there are a lot of urban development running with huge investments. The evolution of BIM technologies over the last 10 years is notable especially in the area of façade design (building envelope). The evolution of BIM technologies helped designers to implement their complicated designs, this has resulted in another level of innovation in façade designs and construction. Giving example the works of Architect/ Zaha Hadid, these types of designs wouldn’t be possible to construct without the evolution of BIM technologies, as well as the challenging urban developments like “The Line” Project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In your experience, what are...

Altahir Ibrahim is a distinguished architect and Building Information Modeling (BIM) specialist. With a wealth of experience spanning the architectural landscape, he has made significant contributions to the field, particularly in the Middle East region, including the UAE and the groundbreaking NEOM project in Saudi Arabia. Equipped with specialised knowledge in the BIM field, he has been instrumental in spearheading innovative approaches to architectural design and construction. Their expertise extends beyond traditional methodologies, as he continuously seeks to leverage emerging technologies to optimise project outcomes and enhance collaboration.

Designplus Architecture Pvt. Ltd (DPA) is a practice based on the belief that each project must be the unique expression of the client’s dream. Counting on sustainability, the team has made every project a triumph of collaboration of disciplines, expertise and experience. Ar. Sonali Bhagwati and Ar. Sohrab Dalal are the founders of the design firm DPA. DPA is an architectural design firm formed out of a merger of DesignPlus and Spazzio Design. DesignPlus with its experience in large format projects and Spazzio with its high design & boutique projects background were a perfect match to provide a wide bandwidth of services. The firm endeavours to create an environment that is seamlessly woven into an organization’s culture while reinforcing the brand identity. DPA believes that good design is intelligence made visible. Innovative design integrated with engineering services has ensured vibrant and successful built environments. Ar. Sonali Bhagwati is a graduate...

In today’s world, where safety is paramount, Window Techs has emerged as a pioneer in fire safety solutions, particularly with its cutting-edge fire curtains. These curtains address the unique challenges posed by modern architectural designs, offering state-of-the-art solutions that seamlessly blend safety with aesthetics. FIRE CURTAINS: TAILORED SOLUTIONS FOR MODERN SPACES [caption id="attachment_57129" align="alignleft" width="350"] Fire Curtain Fabric[/caption] In large, open environments like malls and offices, traditional fire barriers like doors often fall short. Recognising this, Window Techs introduced fire curtains - a vertical solution designed to effectively halt the spread of fire, prevent its escalation, and safeguard escape routes. These curtains offer a flexible and efficient alternative perfectly suited to contemporary architectural designs. RIGOROUSLY TESTED AND CERTIFIED Window Techs prioritises the reliability of its safety solutions. Their fire curtains undergo stringent testing, adhering to international standards such as EN 1634-1, EN 12101-1, and EN 15269- 11. With certifications from...

Designplus Architecture Pvt. Ltd (DPA) is a practice based on the belief that each project must be the unique expression of the client’s dream. Counting on sustainability, the team has made every project a triumph of collaboration of disciplines, expertise and experience. Ar. Sonali Bhagwati and Ar. Sohrab Dalal are the founders of the design firm DPA. [caption id="attachment_57064" align="alignright" width="150"] AR. SONALI BHAGWATI Design Partner, Designplus Architecture (DPA)[/caption] DPA is an architectural design firm formed out of a merger of DesignPlus and Spazzio Design. DesignPlus with its experience in large format projects and Spazzio with its high design & boutique projects background were a perfect match to provide a wide bandwidth of services. The firm endeavours to create an environment that is seamlessly woven into an organization’s culture while reinforcing the brand identity. DPA believes that good design is intelligence made visible. Innovative design integrated with engineering services has...

Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the IIT-Hyderabad project recently and dedicated it to the nation. Team CCBA designed this project and they contributed their expertise and creativity to this prestigious project from the conceptual stage to the meticulous planning and execution. Campus design and Christopher Charles Benninger Architects (CCBA) are synonymous in the world of architecture. [caption id="attachment_57021" align="alignright" width="350"] .[/caption] They have been deeply involved in shaping the architectural and design aspects of the IIT-Hyderabad project with the vision of creating a world-class facility that fosters learning, research, and collaboration. Long associated with the designing of the campus since 2007, our scope of work included faculty Housing, Staff Housing, Lecture Hall Complex, various departments, etc. The IIT-Hyderabad project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and unwavering dedication to excellence. The design of the project is very unique. The curved walls emerge from the...

Art-N-Glass, India’s leading glass processor, showcased their groundbreaking, revolutionary glass canvas project and an impressive six-meter door and slider at the recent ACETECH exhibition held in New Delhi. This marks the first time such an extensive door and slider have been exhibited at an event in India, setting a new standard in the industry. Swapnil Pathak, Director, and the visionary behind the glass canvas project at Art- N-Glass, shared the inspiration behind this unique endeavor. Recognising the limited exploration of glass as a material in architectural design, Art-N-Glass collaborated with ten top designers to conceptualise designs exclusively using glass. The result was the glass canvas project, an ode to the limitless potential of glass as a material. Swapnil expressed his passion for glass, emphasizing its significance not just in India but on a global stage. The project, completed within an impressive 72 hours, aims to encourage other companies to explore...