Classic Marble Company (CMC) has introduced its latest porcelain slabs , offering – Calacatta Nero. Launched under the Quadra range of design surfaces, the Calacatta Nero is a sombre white slab that has been rendered a splash of grey. The shiny polished porcelain slabs has a thickness of only 12 mm and is available in 3000 X 1500 mm size, apt for wall-cladding and façade applications. The black and white amalgam creates dramatic patterns forming a beautiful background for contemporary decor. CMC, through a strategic tie-up with the Indonesian tiles maker PT Quadra ‘Dinamika Internasional’, is offering the Indian market a new hi-tech, extra-large format, porcelain slab product. Quadra is a very popular product in the international markets and is admired by the architectural world for its superior quality and versatility. Quadra is a homogeneous full body design, which has edges in the same finish and looks like the upper...

Please tell us about your company Greenlam Industries, and yourself? How long you have been in this business and in the Indian market? [caption id="attachment_31976" align="alignnone" width="774"] White and red shades always exude a bold and modern finish,radiating a crisp and classical look[/caption] Greenlam laminates is among the world’s top three, Asia’s largest and India’s number one surfacing solutions brand. With its presence in over 100 countries, Greenlam has focussed on developing quality products with great passion for innovation. We offer end to end surfacing solutions to customers with the varied range of product offerings, which consist of laminates, compacts, interior and exterior cladding solutions, restroom and locker solutions, decorative veneer, engineered wooden floors and engineered wooden doors. Our manufacturing units, based at Behror, Rajasthan and Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh, are best in class, using the latest technologies along with R&D centers to deliver unparalleled products to our customers. Across product...

Cladding is an exterior finishing system a skin to a skin or an additional non-load-bearing layer that serves a dual purpose. It not only helps protect the interiors of the building from harsh weather elements but also makes the outside decorative and attractive. The right cladding helps to maintain the buildings weather-tight and cost-effective, at the same time providing thermal insulation, reducing the temperature variation inside the building. It also helps to improve interior acoustics and daylighting. The cladding can influence the value, sale-ability and safety of the building. So cladding your property effectively is a wise investment that pays both short and longer-term dividends. There are now more cladding systems in the market than ever before. Finding the most appropriate choice may take a little time, but cladding – used creatively and intelligently – is a great way to stamp your own personal style on a property. Ready to...

Man has moved from wheel to chip. This dramatic journey from wheel to chip is symbolic of mankind's continuous obsession for excellence. Similarly, the cladding industry is also moving to new and innovative products. Some of the changing trends that define the current industry are as mentioned below. Cladding Material  Exterior cladding is a blend of aesthetic and functional attributes. For more than a decade, glass, stone, wood, and metal/ACP has always been the traditional choice of material for exterior cladding. Nowadays, new and innovative materials such as exterior grade laminates, (as per EN438-6), glass fiber reinforced concrete, metal cladding (zinc, copper, and steel) are creating a healthy disruption in the market. The differentiating advantages of exterior grade laminates are Eco-friendliness, thermal efficiency, energy renew-ability and sustainability. Green Building As per the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), commercial buildings consume more energy than highways and roads, and hence there is...

In simple terms, the application of one material over the other is called cladding. Exterior cladding is a term which is applied to the cladding of buildings and homes from outside. It forms a skin over the concrete and brick and provides some degree of thermal insulation and weather resistance and also increases the aesthetic appearance of the building. Exterior cladding brings to mind many factors - weather proof, rot proof, termite proof, heat proof and many more. And now since awareness is increasing and we realize the importance of sustainability and green, we are also concerned about the way the product has been made and its ingredients. [caption id="attachment_31824" align="alignnone" width="774"] The-Hill-Crest-by-GA-Design[/caption] Choosing a cladding material for your building depends on all the above factors along with the aesthetic value a particular product might have. Exterior cladding solutions are wide and varied. A number of materials ranging from wood...

Please tell us about your practice? I started my architectural  practice in 1989, after graduating from CEPT University, Ahmedabad. The driving force behind the journey of over three decades has always been the openness to continuous learning, the quest for excellence and the sheer joy and pride in our work. As an architectural firm, we have grown exponentially by accepting every challenge that came its way. We not only provide technically sound advice, but cutting edge technology and engineering, trendy, modernistic architecture, interiors and landscape designs. I have poured in my passion, commitment, wholehearted enthusiasm, hope and my energy in all my work, maintaining a high level of integrity and commitment. [caption id="attachment_31711" align="alignnone" width="774"] The entire house is cladded with natural stone[/caption]   At HPA, H stands for happiness, P for positivity and A for accountability. That tells our philosophy. We are a small team of 20 people based...

Eurobond, one of the leaders in the ACP façade industry has brought new line of products in the market. The Advantages of Eurobond  FR ACPs are: Non-Combustible Low Toxic Smoke Safer Evacuations Innovative Core Superior Strength Everlasting Finish Tested and certified 10 years warrant FR-ACCP Eurobond FR-ACCP (Aluminium Core Composite Panel) Eurobond Aluminium Core Composite Panels (ACCPs) eliminate the combustible core of ACP with non-combustible pure aluminium core. ACCP, along with A2 class fire retardance, offers best strength to weight ratio among the three classes and gives a better edge for application. The ACCP sheets are as formable and construction friendly as regular ACP, and are also completely recyclable and eco-friendly. They are the best choice for high rise constructions as they are incombustible and very light in weight. A2 ACP Sheets Eurobond FR-A2-ACP EUROBOND A2 ACP sheets are composed of 90% mineral core sandwiched between two aluminium skins of alloy...

Glass For thousands of years, Glass was thought of as something to look at. It was valued in making precious objects for decorating purposes. Glass really became useful when it was thought of as something to look through. Ancient art is now a medium of architectural advertisement. Glass is architectural. Its transparency, masking, fabrication ability, adaptability and specialisation highlight its suitability for structures. To meet the specific construction needs, it can be made transparent, translucent, opaque, diffused or stained by mechanical or chemical means. Processed and cured correctly, it is sound insulating, heat absorbent, heat reflecting, weather resistant, non-abrasive, and incombustible. Efficient Use of Glass in Façade and Fenestration It starts with understanding the building requirements and selecting the optimum basic glass and its processing. With the logical and correct selection, glass can be a very useful and friendly material by providing optimum daylight, energy efficiency, sound insulation, comfort and...

Rising Trend of Glass Façade in India Glass with time has risen to be one of the most important and primary construction components in the building industry. In a country like India, which consists of hot and humid climate zones and where thick brick walls and concrete structures are better at providing insulation, thus lessening the cooling loads of the buildings, in recent times, are using more and more glass for building façades. The increasing demand for Glass façade lies in the fact that glass imparts higher aesthetic value to a building. All high rise buildings in the metro cities are glazed with high quality Glass façades. The other reason for this trend is the fact that apart from the sophisticated exterior, glass façades make the buildings lighter and reduces the weight on the foundation. Also, glass provides natural day lighting and unobstructed views of the exterior giving the building...

The production of window glass started in 1836 in a factory in Belgium. Since then, the product has come a long way. Glass has become an inevitable part of any urban building. One of the first milestones was the invention of tempered glass in 1929 by the French glass company Saint-Gobain. The first double  glazing was produced in 1947 in Belgium, and it became popular due to its insulation capacities, both thermal and acoustic. During the 1950s, the British manufacturer, Pilkington invented a new method of glass production called float process and since then float glass has become the rage. By the end of the 20th century, 90% of the flat glass used throughout the world were float glass. Enameled and tinted glass followed this. [caption id="attachment_31416" align="alignright" width="150"] ANSHU SHUKLA Deputy General Manager – Design, Kalpataru Ltd.[/caption] With the material science constantly pushing its boundaries, we saw the entry...

CMC Launches One of the Rarest Natural Stones Classic Marble Company (CMC) has introduced a new natural stone ‘Spiderment’ - one of the finest marble products, from its 9th Avenue gallery collection. The newly launched natural stone is one of the rarest and most exquisite natural marble found on earth. Spiderment is a white marble, displaying a dark brown vein emerging from one edge, and subtly extricating on the other side to create a spectacular abstract piece of art. The unusual stone is embellished with dark and light orange veins and mottles. The classic marble surface with an orange and brown mix creates a mesmerising visual for the walls. A book-matching of the design further beautifies its appearance making it no less than a piece of fine art for any space. 9th Avenue is CMC’s exclusive collection of the rarest and most exquisite natural stones found on earth. These first-choice...

Axalta Coating Systems, one of the leading global suppliers of liquid and powder coatings, has completed a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance thermoplastic powder coatings combining the highest level of corrosion protection, security and cost-effectiveness for the operator as well as a simple and environmentally friendly application. [caption id="attachment_40040" align="alignright" width="373"] Thermoplastic powder coating used for water infrastructure[/caption] Axalta-engineered thermoplastic powder coatings are designed for toughness and chip resistance without a primer. They provide excellent corrosion protection and weathering resistance and can be sprayed electrostatically, or fluid bed dipped by Axalta’s specialized applicators. Axalta thermoplastic powder coatings are tough enough for lasting performance in a wide variety of aggressive environments and exterior applications, including outdoor furniture, light poles, sign posts, playground equipment, railings and stairways, fencing, cable grids, water transportation pipes, valves and fittings etc. With the products Plascoat® PPA571, Abcite® 1060, Axalta’s thermoplastic portfolio covers the specific requirements of a...

Business Information Modelling (BIM) is a perfect example of how technology can help the construction industry to convert an architect’s dream into reality. BIM helps in proper planning and execution of projects, and is of great help to construction managers. It is the perfect example of team collaboration right from designing to executing. [caption id="attachment_31214" align="alignnone" width="774"] Business Information Modelling (BIM) is a perfect example of how technology can help the construction industry[/caption] BIM is being fast adopted by the façade industry. It enables an effective way to programme, develop, design, build and effectively manage the project. Use of BIM allows planners, designers, and construction managers to better coordinate details and information. [caption id="attachment_31215" align="alignleft" width="774"] The BIM software allows all design data to be organised in one place rather than many separate drrawings[/caption] Business Information Modelling helps construction managers in careful planning and project tracking whether it is a...

Fusion of contemporary and local architecture, AIS Villa is being built in the village of Nachinola in Goa, nestled amidst lush green fields. It is being developed by Ahilia Homes, a boutique interior and an architectural team led by the Tarun Tahiliani design house with support from AIS Glasxperts, the architectural division of Asahi India Glass Ltd. (AIS) that specialises in applied glass. [caption id="attachment_31127" align="alignnone" width="774"] AIS Glass Villa Exterior view[/caption] In keeping with the spirit of modern architecture of the country, this glass and laterite villa is a befitting tribute to the marriage of tradition and technology. A classic Goan courtyard structure has been reinterpreted with steel columns, giant glazing fold out glass doors, and glass chambers in the bedrooms through which old trees retain their beauty, keeping the light and form unique by any structural standards. The villa has been designed architecturally by Sameep Padora in concert...

No doubt, façades are the most important building element from both the user's and the architect’s point of view. They are the most difficult to design too since the perception of iconic and technologically advanced facades is changing frequently. Designers are researching and experimenting with new and complex façade forms and patterns. The glass aluminium facades are bygones now as we see a lot more new materials in the market such as rusted iron panels, zinc, copper and steel, and even high-pressure laminates. Along with the materials that furnish the look and feel of a building, technologies applied to facades are also changing. Leading-edge technologies play a crucial role in terms of sustainability and operational cost-effectiveness. Truly successful facades do far more than merely project an iconic image, they play a vital role in driving or transforming building performance, engaging with the external environment, significantly enhancing durability, and reducing energy...

Profine Group, Germany, one of the world leaders in uPVC profiles and sheet business, through its wholly owned subsidiary profine India Window Technology Pvt. Ltd., has introduced its aluminium range of products under the brand ‘AluPure’ aluminium window and door systems for Indian market. Objective behind launching “AluPure” in India is to offer international quality, state-of- the-art window & door systems and manifold colour options that can compete with any international brand. The advantage of this systems is that they are produced in India under the stringent international quality parameters and specifications that ensure its 100 per cent functional efficiency and durability. AluPure systems are available for casement and sliding window and door systems with the highest level of quality and security. The profiles are extremely durable, and require only low maintenance over their long service lives. Moreover, AluPure aluminium elements are non-flammable, colourfast, and 100 per cent recyclable. Thanks...