What is the size of the present architectural glass market globally and in India? [caption id="attachment_56363" align="alignright" width="200"] SUHEL KACHWALA, Managing Director, FG Glass[/caption] Suhel Kachwala: The global market for performance glass used in the façade and fenestration industry is expected to grow by a good value and roughly the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2023 to 2032. Tariq Kachwala: The growth of the Indian architectural glass market is estimated to be around CAGR 7.5% for 2023-2027. What are the driving factors of the architectural glass industry? Suhel Kachwala: The increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings is a major driver of the growth of the performance glass market. Performance glass can help to reduce energy consumption by up to 50% by controlling heat gain and loss. [caption id="attachment_56365" align="alignleft" width="365"] Lupin Research & Development Centre, Pune[/caption] Additionally, performance glass can improve the thermal comfort of...

In the realm of architectural design, façade lighting emerges as a pivotal element, not merely illuminating structures but orchestrating a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality. Beyond its practical role in providing visibility, façade lighting serves as an artistic tool, transforming buildings into captivating landmarks. Creative ingenuity is paramount when designing façade lighting systems, necessitating a delicate balance between form and function. The longevity and sustainability of façade lighting installations hinge on a meticulous consideration of materials, technologies, and energy efficiency. The article delves into the latest trends and innovations shaping the field, exploring favored technologies for eco-friendly and energy-efficient designs. Additionally, it unravels the marketing potential inherent in façade lighting, discussing its role in creating brand identities, promotional images, and advertisements. The impact of façade materials on lighting, strategies for minimizing maintenance costs, and the integration of eco-friendly practices all take center stage. As sustainability gains prominence, the article...

How would you explain the role of façade lighting in enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of a building? Façade lighting is inseparable from the architectural façade itself. It renders the nighttime perception and identity of the façade forms and elements to appear as per the architects' vision. Without lighting, the architecture would appear dark and unnoticed, as its existence and beauty cannot be appreciated at night. Lighting highlights the aesthetics of the building materials and colours. It also picks up different moods and reinforces statements of the architecture that do not appear during the day and even conveys messages to communicate with the users. In some projects, a generous amount of glass façade allows the interior lighting out and contributes to the façade lighting expression. Therefore, the perceived façade lighting is precisely what is curated inside the architecture. Intense collaborations between various parties are required to devise a good façade...

Glass has become a transformative material in modern architecture, offering a multitude of advantages that go far beyond its aesthetic appeal. As a favored façade material, it allows for sleek and versatile designs, maximizes natural light penetration, and fosters a strong connection with the surrounding environment. Moreover, innovations like low-emissivity coatings have significantly contributed to the energy efficiency of glass, making it a sustainable choice for modern buildings. In regions with abundant sunlight, such as the Gulf, glass façades play a crucial role in optimizing energy savings by reducing the need for artificial lighting and cooling. [caption id="attachment_55528" align="alignright" width="300"] Image Courtesy - Future Architectural Glass[/caption] The choice of glass type and coatings also plays a pivotal role in determining a building’s energy efficiency and thermal performance. Factors like double or triple glazing, Low-E coatings, and tinted or reflective glass impact insulation and solar control, make it essential to consider...

By 2050, façades and fenestrations will evolve towards sustainability and timelessness, integrating biophilic design principles with living elements and natural materials. Dynamic shading systems and other adaptive technologies will be ubiquitous, optimizing energy efficiency and enhancing occupant comfort. Moreover, the adoption of modular and flexible designs will facilitate easy customization and future adaptations, ensuring their continued effectiveness in the ever-changing urban environment. This transformation reflects a commitment to creating architectural elements that harmonize with both nature and modern living. FUTURE FAÇADE & FENESTRATION: MATERIALS & TECHNOLOGIES In the global markets by 2050, we anticipate a prevalence of sustainable materials. Bio-based composites, advanced recyclable metals, and innovative glass solutions will dominate. These materials will prioritize longevity, with self-healing and low-maintenance features. Nanotechnology may further enhance their performance, offering increased durability and resilience against environmental factors. This shift towards eco-conscious materials will align with the enduring principles of timelessness and sustainability. [caption...

Please provide an overview of NCL Buildtek’s journey and how it has evolved over the past 30+ years in the construction and building materials industry. NCL Buildtek Ltd is a part of NCL Group and comprises Alltek spray plasters and Seccolor galvanised steel windows. Over a period of time, the product portfolio expanded to various other building materials like AAC Blocks, Dry- Mix Mortars and Tile Adhesives, uPVC windows & doors, Aluminium windows & doors & ABS doors. Today, NCL Buildtek Ltd Buildtek comprises four successful business verticals: NCL Coatings Putties, Textures, Emulsion Paints NCL Windoors Colour-Coated GI windows, ABS Doors, uPVC Doors and windows, and high-end Aluminium Windows & doors. NCL Wall Solutions AAC Blocks, Dry-Mix Cement Mortars, Tile Adhesives NCL Services: Installation Services of doors and windows Can you share some insights into the variety of aluminium window designs and customisation options that NCL Buildtek Ltd offers to...

In the realm of cutting-edge technology for aluminium and PVC extrusion processing, one name shines brightly on the global stage – Pertici Industries. With a steadfast commitment to innovation and a rich reservoir of experience and expertise, Pertici has firmly established itself as a leader in this field. Pertici’s primary focus on serving the window and door industry has not limited its reach; instead, it has become a cornerstone for expansion into various industrial sectors. From automotive to furniture, railway to lighting, heating to energy, and even naval applications, Pertici’s influence resonates far and wide. Their innovative solutions transcend industries, addressing the real-world requirements of customers across the globe. At Pertici, machinery development is an art form. Every component is meticulously designed and produced to achieve the highest standards of efficiency, flexibility, user-friendliness, and maintenance ease. What sets them apart is their unwavering dedication to engineering robust and dependable solutions....

The word ‘Façade’ means ‘Face’ in French, and a building’s façade is actually the front of a building and its face. Glass walls on the exterior of buildings are widely used to improve the beauty, keep the interior temperature in check, and allow enough natural light to enter which gave rise to the increasing use of glass. Some of the advantages of using glass in high-rise buildings: Efficiency: The glass façade on the exterior of the building allows an optimum level of natural light to enter, which reduces the cost of lighting. Safety & Maintenance: The key factors to consider while designing a façade are safety, longevity, and maintenance. Glass has a smooth glossy surface, so it is dustproof and can be cleaned efficiently. Unlike other materials, it is easy to maintain. Strength & Weather Resistance: The materials used in glass façades are extremely strong and durable. They are designed...

These days, sustainability is a hot topic across all the industries, and more and more responsible industries are taking initiatives to engage and promote sustainability by producing eco-friendly products having sustainable methods from production to supply and after sales service. Infrastructure is one such industry which has a major role to play towards sustainability, and this industry requires more and more natural resources to meet their demands. uPVC is such material which is 100% lead-free and sustainable in nature, it can be recycled without loosing its natural properties and remain unchanged for developing products many times. uPVC windows and doors are response to the growing demand of sustainable products used in the booming infrastructure market. uPVC window and door systems have become popular in the last 10 years and growing its share in the overall fenestration market, reasons for this growth are a) these systems are durable and does not...

Today, pollution has emerged as a perennial problem in almost all cities worldwide. Consequently, whether people are outdoors or indoors, pollution affects everyone due to rising pollutants in the ambient air, more so in urban areas. In the current context, air pollution is not the sole issue. Noise pollution can also impact the health of residents within their homes or offices. What’s more, harmful pollutants may include dust and other allergens. But the right brand of high-quality windows and doors can ascertain that air and sound pollution are either eliminated or kept to the bare minimum. Old, worn-out, damaged windows and doors are the main reason why hazardous pollutants gain entry inside the premises, compromising the health of inhabitants. Moreover, inadequate insulation within homes reduces energy efficiency, in turn inflating the monthly electricity bills. Salient Features of uPVC and Aluminium In such situations, the best countermeasure is to make sure...

Glass façades have become increasingly popular in contemporary/high-rise buildings due to their numerous advantages. One of the most significant benefits of glass façades is the ability to allow natural light to penetrate deep into the building’s interior, creating a more pleasant and productive work environment for occupants while also reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. [caption id="attachment_54834" align="alignleft" width="300"] .[/caption] This can improve the energy efficiency of the building and lower operating costs. In addition, glass façades can provide a sleek, modern appearance that is often desired in contemporary architecture.They can also offer unobstructed views of the surrounding environment, creating a greater sense of connection to the outdoors. Modern glass technology has also improved the thermal and acoustic performance of glass façades, making them more energy-efficient and able to reduce noise transmission. They are designed to be durable and long-lasting, withstanding extreme weather conditions and resisting damage...

What should be the approach for a solid fire-safe design considering the materials, design and technologies? We have to strictly follow the fire code of the country. In the Middle East, we follow the country’s fire code which ultimately directs to NFPA. NFPA is followed for fire safety design, installation and testing of a system that includes design of floor layouts, fire compartments using fire/smoke rated partitions, opening protection using fire-rated doors, windows, etc. Active systems are designed following NFPA. All materials and equipment are required to have a 3rd party test certificate (listing) to ensure that the design requirements are in accordance with the test parameters. If the design requirements are beyond the limits of test parameters, then the materials are not accepted. We need to check the test procedure and other parameters of the test to ensure the product is suitable for the intended use. Manufacturers often state...

CJ Blossom Park in Suwon, South Korea, designed for one of Korea’s largest companies, consolidated the corporation’s previously disparate pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and food products businesses into a single location. [caption id="attachment_54779" align="alignright" width="414"] Concept sketches[/caption] The building’s architecture, which was designed by the Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign, is inspired by CJ’s brand identity—defined by a three-petal blossom. These are represented by three elliptical towers of differing heights, each housing one of CJ’s divisions. The towers rise around a central atrium that cultivates interconnectivity and engagement with fluid circulation and natural light. An outer-pleated perforated screen wraps around the entire complex and shades the floor-to-ceiling semi-unitized glazing, providing an even distribution of light deep into the building. By carefully coordinating pleat folds and screen densities with building orientation and program elements, this secondary skin enabled the team to place full-height glazing around the entire perimeter of the building without negatively impacting...

Exterior wall cladding is a crucial aspect of building design that offers both practical benefits and aesthetic value. It enhances a building’s appearance, protects it from the weather elements, and contributes to its overall performance and longevity. The choice of cladding material should be made based on factors such as climate, architectural style, maintenance considerations, and environmental impact. The right cladding helps to maintain the buildings weather-tight and cost-effective. It provides thermal insulation and helps in reducing the temperature variation inside the building. It also helps to improve interior acoustics and daylighting. The cladding can influence the value, saleability and safety of the building. So cladding your property effectively is a wise investment that pays both short and longer-term dividends. Certainly, investing in new cladding for your property can be a great way to enhance its aesthetic appeal and give it a unique touch. Investing time and thought into selecting...

Tell us about your practice and design approach? MAB Design Studio is a multi-disciplinary Architecture & Engineering practice with offices across Egypt, and the UAE. We have been established in the Egypt for 8 years, with a significant portfolio of work across the Middle East. Championing the convergence of art and science, our approach to design is truly collaborative, combining the experience and specialist knowledge of our architects and engineers, in combination with external specialist designers and clients to deliver comprehensive and holistic solutions to design projects. In the role of Lead Consultant, from design inception to completion on-site, our team is carefully selected to ensure the best possible outcome of each project, combining local knowledge with global expertise. Could you please tell us about your journey in the field? How did you think of becoming an architect? What do you enjoy most about your profession? I have always been...

In a conversation with Sreenivas Narayanan Technical & Compliance Director - Middle East & Asia Pacific, Siderise Insulation, he talks about Siderise’s evolution, its products, projects and its contribution to improving fire safety in buildings. Here are the excerpts... Can you provide an overview of Siderise’s history and the evolution of your solutions over the past 50 years? Siderise started its life in 1972 as a distributor of acoustic materials. However, we soon became aware that the standard materials available on the market could not always meet the specific requirements of our customer base. So, in 1979, we opened our first manufacturing facility. This allowed us to develop more progressive acoustic options and bespoke product designs for a mix of construction markets. After success in this field, we expanded our offering in 1991 with another manufacturing facility dedicated to the development and production of passive fire protection solutions for the...