All of us want to live, work, play, shop relax in natural light and stay connected to the surrounding spaces and views. Natural Light is healthy and gives us a sense of well-being and comfort. People working in Natural Light are more productive and are also more positive due to mental and visual stimulation as proven in many studies worldwide. Medically too, it has been proven that patients recover faster and feel less pain needing lesser analgesics, when recovering or recuperating in natural light conditions in comparison to artificially lit areas. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="392"] Fig.1: 1 Lux is the illumination on a surface of 1 sq m by 1 candle, placed at 1m from such surface[/caption] Natural light in a building will depend upon several factors and a good building design should result in most parts of the building as well The design should also address the energy transfer....

Architect Tony Kettle The LakhtaCenter is designed to be a colossal project to construct a contemporary business center in the Primorsky district of Saint Petersburg, Russia.It will be implemented as a pilot project of an integrated development of the area and the construction of a mini city on the outskirts, therefore creating a sustainable district for life and work. At 86 floors and 462 m tall, it will be the tallest tower in Europe when completed in 2018. The architects Gorpoekt and RMJM deployed a whopping 44,000 sqm of high-performance glass from Saint-Gobain for glazing Europe’s tallest tower. The objective of the project is the construction of a cluster in Petersburg that would align with international standards of construction of a business and public environment so as to increase the level of business activity in the city and North-western region as a whole. The headquarters of Gazprom Neft and Gazprom...

Innowood Australia Pty Ltd Ventilated Facade systems also known as double-skin façades or rain-screens, can also assist in protecting buildings against the combined action of wind and rain by counterbalancing the effects of water beating on walls and keeping the building dry. At its most basic, a ventilated façade system consists of two layers of different facades which are separated by an air cavity. This cavity prevents rainwater from penetrating and diffuses water vapour from the inside to the outside. While the external cladding serves to provide the majority of rain and wind protection, the air corridor between the support structure and the external cladding plays a major role in the ventilated façade system. A naturally ventilated façade results in a temperature difference between the face of the cladding panel and the air cavity behind it. This in turn creates a variation in air density and causes air to flow...

The elite conference from the house of Zak Group on façade design and engineering successfully completed its 15th Indian edition in Bangalore. The second conference in 4th season, Zak World of Façades, Bangalore revolved around the theme of responsible façade execution to harness sustainability. The one-day conference, held at Hotel ITC Gardenia, Bangalore on 15th July, saw a never-before gathering of some of the most prominent and appreciated names from the construction industry in India and abroad, sharing their expertise and experience in order to achieve the best façade execution practices. The cosmopolitan city of Bangalore has grown manifolds organically in the last couple of decades. The city is constantly striving to strike a sustainable balance between its ever-growing industry and residential population. Building façades play an irrefutable role in the functionality of a building and determine its prowess to provide comfortable accommodation while giving an exceptional experience. Needless to...

Façade and fenestration are often considered the biggest hurdle in achieving higher levels of energy efficiency in buildings. Buildings have evolved from being predominantly passive systems to having high levels of internal control due to the addition of man-made materials. With the increase in artificial lighting in buildings in the 20th century, the size of fenestrations was reduced significantly as well as dependency on them. They now occupy only about 15 to 20 per cent of wall surface area and play many roles including supplying daylight, providing views, acting as ventilators, noise and heat insulators and glare protectors. Windows not only add to aesthetics but are also a significant component of heating and cooling costs. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="160"] Ar. Vivek Bhole, Chairman & Managing Director, Vivek Bhole Architects Pvt. Ltd[/caption] Building owners opt for the most efficient façade and fenestration system which contributes to energy conservation and, thereby operational...

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...

It was February 12, 2005, when an electrical fault on the 21st floor of the Windsor building in Madrid started a small fire. The building was unoccupied and the fire was undetected for quite some time before the city’s fire officials were notified. By the time they arrived, the magnificent 32-story structure was essentially lost. All that firefighters could do was to try for the next 18 hours to keep the fire from spreading to adjacent structures. There was no impact from a jumbo jetliner, and this fire lacked the thousands of gallons of jet fuel that so readily accelerated the World Trade Center fires. It was just a little electrical problem. So how could this fire spread so uncontrollably that it consumed eleven higher floors and turned the fourth largest structure in Spain’s capital to rubble? Unfortunately, we may not be able to avoid such disasters where the perimeter...

Audaciously sculptural or pared down pristine. India’s great feats of architectural ingenuity are pushing the field in bold new directions. Designing energy-efficient terminals that have a long-lasting effect on the environment and passengers alike is the definition for new-age terminal designs. Creative Group, one of the leading Architecture and Engineering Consultancy firms in India, has demonstrated that large expansive public concourse within an airport terminal assists to alleviate a passenger’s sense of being crowded while still accommodating the flow of arrival, departing and connecting passengers. Extensively designed facades within the spaces of Airports in Chennai, Raipur, Goa and Vaodadara are thought products Design of a sustainable endeavour by the design team. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="350"] Raipur Airport designed by Creative Group[/caption] “The facades that we have designed for all these airports allow natural light to filter through the skin of the terminal thus providing passengers the delight of experiencing exterior...

Tell us about Aluplast and your business in India Aluplast is a family owned business and the brand is already in the market for more than 30 years. We are global players with sales offices and plants all over the world. Aluplast manufactures highly innovative uPVC doors and window systems, which are well-known and adopted worldwide. Aluplast started their business in India in 2008 and now is a well-integrated business. I am a plastic engineer with a background on glass. That has given us some advantage. Aluplast was established in India when the business activity in the sector was all time low. How did you survive against the odds and now established as one of the most successful players in the field? Though we started as a small business in India, we created our own niche through our quality products and service. The market will get segmented on the basis...

With rapid urbanization in developing countries, need to reduce environmental impact and building energy costs have never been greater. Indian construction industry is at a critical juncture wherein it has to balance the demand of low cost construction but simultaneously comply with the stringent environmental & efficiency norms that are becoming order of the day. Building services engineers now have the capability to challenge existing concepts for energy reduction and investigate alternate materials and façade configurations that affect building’s electro-mechanical designs and have a direct consequential impact on the project’s capital and operating costs. With majority of buildings in India expected to be constructed in next three decades, the experts are working towards creating a balance between the technology from western world and old wisdom of Indian buildings that evolved over a period of time in harmony with nature. Building Façades Façades as a building envelope form the outer skins...

Today, we have gone past the point where going ‘green’ was an option. It has now become an absolute necessity. The concept of green building design relies on minimising the demand for non-renewable resources and optimising the use of natural resources as far as 70 per cent. As a nature green buildings have unique characteristics of having an exposed aesthetics featuring original building materials. An energy-efficient building is one that can reduce energy consumption by at least 35 per cent as compared to a conventional building. Designers utilise the thermal mass by radiating the heating and cooling comfort to better the thermal environment of the building, thereby reducing energy consumption. A responsive building facade is one of the important components to achieve energy efficiency by reducing the need for cooling, lighting and ventilation. Facade design and construction specifications have great potential in controlling its interior environment, through the use of...

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...

Young and dynamic, Hussein Chiniwala (Managing Director, Alfa Facade Systems Pvt. Ltd) is enthusiastic with an outgoing and engaging personality. He worked throughout College to partially self-finance his education. Hussein has demonstrated leadership strengths and a proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment with critical deadlines. He possesses outstanding communication skills, a passion for excellence, and a contagious enthusiasm. He has the ability to establish strong working relationships with other traders, developers, architects as well as staff. Tenacious and resourceful; Hussein will work any hours necessary and will always find a way to get project done on time/on budget. Zoher Chiniwala and Hussein Chiniwala spoke to Windows & Façade Magazine (WFM) about their company, products, manufacturing facilities, services and their future plans & endeavours. [caption id="attachment_32411" align="alignnone" ]Project: Cyber Towers; Client: Magarpatta Township Development; Architect: Space Designer Syndicate  WFM: Please give us a brief background of your...

Samskruti Hoysala Boutique Apartments, Bangalore Project by Archinova_Environs Panaji, Goa. About the architect: [caption id="" align="alignright" width="340"] Samskruti Hoysala Boutique Apartments, Bangalore[/caption] Poonam Verma Mascaren has is an architect, a conservationist and an environ-activist, with a keen interest in traditional architecture. She is engaged in unravelling and reviving the inherent wisdom of traditional building technology as she believes traditional buildings offer a generically green option. Her Goa-based, award winning firm Archinova_Environs has climate and context-sensitive architecture as its corner stone. Their Project Samskruti Hoysala boutique apartments -has been awarded -‘Best Green Building Project of the Year 2014’ at Worldwide Achievers Real-estate Awards, ‘Best Luxury Property 2015’ at the Global Quality Awards forum, ‘Best Concept and Architecture Award for 2014-15’ at National Real Estate Awards, and Vishwakarma Best Residential Project of the year 2015 by CIDC. An architect and a post-graduate from University of York, U.K. (Charles Wallace Fellow) in Conservation...

At the core of every design is functionality supported by objectives, requirements and possibilities. While some spaces are content being functional, others evolve into aspirational art forms. The difference is not in technology – the difference is DESIGN… Designs should be sensitive to Context, Client, Environment and Business Processes and the same principle goes in designing a beautiful yet functional façade. In fact, the first gesture of an architect is to draw a perimeter; this perimeter which separates the micro climate from the macro space outside, yet is an ode to the communication between finite and infinite. Conveying this idea, there are various factors which are considered important while designing, specifying and selecting a window or a façade solution. Presented hereafter is some of our best Architectural Work that represents factors that architects need to consider while selecting window/ façade systems. Framing views: Referring to the strategic positioning of the...

An architectural practice with focus on creating spaces that exist in equilibrium with their surroundings, at Studio Symbiosis elements of program, site, context, landscape and climate are studied and interfaced, thereby resulting in the amalgamation of these considerations in one coherent design. Bringing out their aesthetic best, Ar. Amit Gupta and Ar. Britta Knobel Gupta, along with their collaborative partner Ar. Vandana Sehgal designed this upcoming hotel in Ahmedabad which is yet to be titled. The uniqueness of the project comes from its concept where the built harmonizes seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. This is an inherent part of the façade design process whereby a feedback loop is established that constantly updates the formal language of the project thereby embedding environmental sustainability in the form itself. Design Challenges: Seamless waves flowing on the landscape and continuing onto the façade were the focal point of the design proposal for this full...