Welcoming, pragmatic and informative discussions in a conference sends a positive message to potential customers and draws them into business. That is exactly what is seen in the third session (13th edition) of ZAK World of Facades held at New Delhi on 4th September in the Hyatt Regency Hotel. ZAK World of Facades, India’s largest and exclusive conference on Facade Design & Engineering, is determined to propagate awareness on the newest cutting edge technology and perspectives that are revolutionizing the field. The conference lays bare a platform for networking, necessary in the professional world. Iconic façades require all the stake holders to strike the right balance between a host of parameters from conceiving the correct design to specifying the optimum materials and finally putting them together in place to materialize the epochal, vanguard building envelope. With ever increasing population density and destinations getting farther, the demand for the latest and...

The front door of a home always makes the first impression. It makes a style statement and gives a hint on what people can expect when they walk through the door. Preferences change, trends may come and go, but the classic, elegant look of a solid wooden door is here to stay. Wood is timeless and natural appeal makes it an ideal material for any luxe project which cannot be replicated by fibreglass or steel. Here is a design and material guide to help you choose the right door for interiors and outdoors among the various wood door manufacturers. Entry Door for Apartments The entry door extends a warm and friendly welcome to your abode hence selecting an entryway can be completely overwhelming, but fortunately this design and material guide will provide a few helpful tips. Wood species used for doors need to meet very demanding conditions and be tough...

Established in 1964, Consolidated Engineering Company (CEC) has grown from a small-scale manufacturer of aluminium hardware to one of the largest players in Façade Systems in India. It had been slow and steady growth over the years, working with some of the leading architects, and consultants, associating with numerous prestigious and landmark projects in India. WFM brings you the edited excerpts from the interview of Rajeev Shamlal, Arjun Shamlal and Rishi Shamlal, Partners of Consolidated Engineering Company (CEC), detailing their business and future plans along with potentials and opportunities in the façade industry in India. WFM: Please tell us about yourself and about your company Consolidated Engineering Company (CEC)? Rajeev Shamlal: Consolidated Engineering Company (CEC) was established in 1964 by my father Shri Shamlal. I joined the company in 1976 after doing my Chartered Accountancy, my elder son Arjun joined the company in 2003 after completing his masters from London...

Coming full circle to where it started from, Zak World of Façades returned to Bangalore in its third season with an all new emphasis on the façades for high-rise cluster housing owing to a spurt in the residential demands of the cosmopolitan. The one day conference held at Ritz Carlton Hotel, Bangalore on 19th June saw participation of stalwarts from the construction industry fraternity in India and abroad, sharing their experience to achieve best façade execution practices. After their highly encouraging and successful first & second season around India, the third season of Zak World of Façades started with Mumbai in April 2015 and Bangalore was second in a line of series of events planned. The event was intimate, with a little under 300 attendees who heard a dozen leaders from the industry at the grand conference hall of Ritz Carlton. The theme of the conference organized at Bangalore was...

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...

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...

Event Location: Zak World of Facades at ITC Maratha, Mumbai on 10th April 2015. After many successful and highly motivating events all over India, another exclusive Forum on Façade Design & Engineering was held as a part of Zak World of Facades at ITC Maratha, Mumbai on 10th April 2015. The former conferences created a benchmark in the city in its earlier editions in 2013 & 2014. Zak World of Facades conference is determined to propagate awareness of the newest cutting-edge technology and perspectives in the field of façade design. A hot topic of discussion at the conference this time was the new Mumbai Fire Brigade regulations on glass façades. The conference expedited a platform for networking, necessary in the professional world. The first session of the conference saw discussions on ‘Efficient design of façades on high rise towers’. Case studies on Ocean Heights in Dubai (twisted) (310m), Entisar Tower...

20th September, Pune : After the 1st highly successful edition in Bangalore, Zak – World of Windows conference moved to Pune and rendered another success story where close to 250 delegates from architect, developer, window contractor fraternity attended and witnessed the enlightening presentations and thrilling panel discussion. Windows are in integral part of timeless architecture, crucial in enhancing the functionality of the buildings. A typical fenestration component suffices the basic requirements of light and ventilation, but along the way faces the challenges of heat/sound and air/water ingress. The 2nd edition of ZAK world of Windows aimed at Design complementing functionality; Security requirements for mechanical burglar resistance; Possibilities and limitations of window ventilation; Modernization v/s cost effectiveness; Safety, security, sound, solar & savings; Installation – the missing link. The intriguing session of presentations and discussion started at 7 in the evening and lasted till well after 11 PM. About 250 representatives...

Event Location: Zak World of Façades held on the 30th of June at the Taj Palace in New Delhi The 6th Zak World Of Façades completed successfully in Delhi with a turnout of 427 delegates. The key highlight was the resolution on the selection criteria for equivalent materials and consultants for a façade The building façade plays a vital role in bringing the architect's vision to life. It makes a major contribution to the sustainability of a building, influencing both energy efficiency and the quality of the internal climate. It is also an integral part of the building’s aesthetic, complementing the structural form and defining its visual impact on the urban environment. In India, we still miss the fundamentals of the façade, which is a complex subject for most of us. The 6th edition of Zak World of Façades held on the 30th of June at the Taj Palace in...

Event Location: ZAK world of Windows 5th July, Bangalore 5th July, Bangalore: The 1st ever conference exclusively focusing on windows was recently concluded in Bangalore with a record turnout of 300 delegates from the architect, developer, and window contractor fraternity. Windows are an integral part of timeless architecture, crucial in enhancing the functionality of the buildings. A typical fenestration component suffices the basic requirements of light and ventilation, but along the way faces the challenges of heat/sound and air/water ingress. The 1st edition of ZAK World of Windows aimed at a proper understanding of fenestration and addressed issues like design and application challenges, measuring the performance of windows and doors and their affectivity in bringing life to the interior spaces. The intriguing session of presentations and discussion started at 7 in the evening and lasted till well after 11 PM. About 310 representatives from architects, developers, specifiers, contractors and other...

Event Location: Zak World of Façades held on the 14th of June at Taj Coromandel in Chennai The 5th Zak World Of Facades completed successfully in Chennai with a turnout of 320 delegates. The key highlight was the launch of the Indian Façade & Fenestration Association (IFFA) and Qualindal. The building façade plays a vital role in bringing the architect's vision to life. It makes a major contribution to the sustainability of a building, influencing both energy efficiency and the quality of the internal climate. It is also an integral part of the building’s aesthetic, complementing the structural form and defining its visual impact on the urban environment. In India, we still miss the fundamentals of the façade, which is a complex subject for most of us. The 5th edition of Zak World of Façades held on the 14th of June at Taj Coromandel in Chennai focused on the performance...

Event Location: Zak World of Façades Mumbai, 11th April 2014 Façades, rising high for high-rises – Zak World of Façades Mumbai, 11th April 2014: Taking a cue from the current trend of tall buildings and building on the glory of enormous success of the previous editions, Zak World of Façades in its second season two, returned to Mumbai on the 11th of April at ITC Maratha with a never before confluence of première façade consultants, high profile architects and real estate honchos from India and abroad. More than 421 delegates, all key representations from the top architectural firms, developer community, façade consultants, contractors and other façade enthusiasts discussed and pondered over the theme of façade design criteria for tall structures with a special focus on façades for residential and hospitality. Performance criteria such as thermal efficiency, fireproofing, acoustics, photovoltaics, façade testing and more were also discussed. The conference started with...

Since the time immemorial there have been endless discussions and debates on the system to be used for doors and windows in a building – Commercial /residential / so on and so forth. Initially wood has been the architectural favorite. The warmth, the colour, the grain, in short simply the life a wooden window brings to a window opening is remarkable and unmatched. But, it comes with its own limitations. Its sensitivity to harsh climatic conditions, its proneness to various degradation factors vis-à-vis moisture, salty air, woodworms, and adverse environmental effects of timber harvesting led to the exploration of various alternative materials. Then arrived aluminium. Fast forward a few years, another technological advancement called uPVC windows. Along with this commenced the unending battle of Systems. Try searching the ‘Google’ master for aluminium and/or PVC and like a skilled magician he takes out 16500 results in mere .34 seconds from under...

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...

The history of city of Delhi has seen it being built, ransacked and then rebuilt a number of times. The city boasts of being equally modern as it is ancient with iconic modern landmarks dotting its landscape amidst the ancient historical ones. Looking at modern architectural landmarks, one name that can be associated with a large number of them, invariably, is Alkarma. Be it Vikas Minar at ITO or India Habitat Centre on Lodhi Road, the firm has manufactured and installed windows at these buildings and continues to be one of the most reputed façade manufacturing in this part of the country. WFM speaks to Sandeep Chowdhry, Managing Partner at Alkarma and Managing Director at Durable Windows(a sister concern of Alkarma ), a man of fine taste and impeccable discipline in whatever he undertakes, as he relates various anecdotes along his exciting journey at Alkarma. Following are the excerpts –...

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="221"] Er. Cyrus Pithawalla[/caption] Enter the most upmarket locale of suburban neighborhood in northeastern Mumbai – Powai. Amidst the upscale hotels and commercial buildings, the place is marked by a distinct neo-classical styled architecture – Hiranandani Gardens. After 1985 , Hiranandani Developers purchased large tracts of land between Vikhroli hill and Powai lake and set up the present day township. Besides Powai, Hiranandani Developers have a prominent presence in Thane, another suburban township near Mumbai. Hiranandani group – focused on a larger goal of the Happiness of people and raising global lifestyle, has gone from strength to strength. Hiranandani Group is synonymous with quality, commitment, reliability and excellence in architecture. WFM brings you the edited excerpts from a candid tête-à-tête with Er. Cyrus K Pithawalla – Director, Engineering of Hiranandani Constructions Pvt. Ltd. In conversation with Er. Pithawalla, a force to reckon in the construction world, a...