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...

The panel discussion on the New Mumbai Fire Brigade Regulations on Glass Façades focused on the following aspects: Architectural considerations while designing fire-safe façades; Perimeter protection - preventing the spread of smoke from floor to floor; and Cladding - the problematic zone. The panel comprised of Atul Bhandari, Director - Design & Projects, RSP India; Praveen Chaubey, Project Manager, Priedemann; Mukesh Jaitley, Director - Projects, The Wadhwa Group; Shrikrishna Ginde, VP - Operations, Belgium Aluminium & Glass; Sunil H Nesarikar, Chief Fire Officer, Mumbai Fire Brigade; SS Warick, Chief Fire Officer & Fire Advisor, MIDC; and Shashikant Jadhav, Chairman, PEATA Committee - Fire Safety Practices with KR Suresh, Regional Director, Axis Façades as the moderator. The panel discussed the new Mumbai Fire Brigade regulation on glass façades. Here is the excerpt from the discussion: During fire, at times building façade becomes a major barrier to evacuate people. Façade consultants, in...

ABSTRACT Shanghai Tower is a 124-level, 632m (2074ft) tower, with a gross floor area (GFA) of 380,000m² (4,090,320ft²) above grade. It is arranged in nine vertical zones and is shaped as a combination of efficient footprint with circular floor plates forming stacked cylinders from 12 to 15 stories in height “interrupted” with MEP/refuge floor areas that create zone divisions. These cylindrical shapes are enclosed with a rounded-apex triangle profile as outer skin allowing for introduction of a Sky Garden concept that utilizes the “dual skin” façade approach – atypical double skin façade.In considering the façade design, Gensler introduced a combination exterior and interior curtain wall system resulting in a high-performance façade, totaling 210,000m² (2,260,440ft²) of glazing area. To refine the tower’s shape and respond to its location efficiently, a series of wind tunnel tests were conducted to measure the region’s largest natural forces: the typhoon and other strong prevailing winds....

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...

Introduction: Windows and curtain walls generally represent as much as 50% to 100% of the exterior cladding of large buildings and are determining elements in the performance of the vertical building envelope. They are a critical and important architectural feature of a building and represent a significant portion of the overall cost of building construction. Given the ever-growing complexity and variety of modern building envelopes, the evaluation of their performance, in terms of structural integrity and durability as well as comfort requirements, in the pre-construction and construction phase is essential in order to avoid undesirable and costly problems during the service life of the building. Before we delve deeper into the fundamentals of façade testing, let’s review the basics of glazed curtain wall designs. Curtain Wall Design Monumental glazed curtain wall systems are normally factory-fabricated assemblies that can be shipped to the job site — either as pre-assembled panels (unitized)...

Ethylene-Tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) is one of the trending innovative cladding materials in the market which is known primarily through iconic projects such as Eden in Cornwall UK, Allianz Arena Stadium in Munich and National Aquatic Centre a.k.a. Watercube in Beijing. Being very thin, lightweight and when used in air-filled cushion systems its enormous strength and a range of adaptive environmental attributes render ETFE a very creative solution to many projects. ETFE has been known since the 1940s, which was an accidental spin-off of man-made fluoropolymer during DuPont's research program to develop an insulation material for industrial machinery that was resistant to friction and abrasion, immune to radiation and effective at both extremely high and low temperatures. Until 1970 it was not commercialized after which it was used in a wide range of applications in the petroleum, automotive, aerospace and nuclear industries. The first architectural use of ETFE was done in...

In architecture, the facade of a building is often the most important aspect from a design standpoint, as it sets the tone for the rest of the building. From the engineering perspective of a building, the facade is also of great importance due to its impact on energy efficiency and functionality of the building. Internationally, the trend of façade lighting is catching up fast. the number of buildings that have illuminated façades is increasing sharply. People find the nightscapes around them created by illuminated building façades. These façades facilitate orientation, convey messages, communicate emotions and create attention. Illuminated building façade creates an added value to the building and has an architectural and economic merit by making the location more beautiful. It shows off the building in a right light, literally, and brings across a positive corporate image. However, pertaining to architectural, social and technological changes, lighting design demands an enormous...

“The art is at one’s surface and symbol; those who go beneath the surface do so at their own peril” ~ Oscar Wilde Introduction The surface is seen, the surface is perceived, and the surface defines the aesthetic impression of the object. The aesthetic experience of a fenestration object is an interlinked and inseparable union of the sensory and contemplative responses. Illuminating the modern surface condition, façades are becoming virtual screens reinventing the art of projection. While the surface of a façade is defined by glass and framing material together with cladding if any, this article’s prime focus is to delve into the various possibilities of surface finishes available for aluminium and uPVC – so far the most popular choice of materials for window and façade frames. Definition: Surface finishing is the process of enhancing the properties of aluminium in all its forms to give it a decorative visual appearance,...

What is a window treatment? With a primary goal of enhancing the aesthetics of a window in a building, the window treatment is a non-architectural element placed on, in, around or over a window. Often the main goal of the window decoration is to beautify the window & the room and to secure privacy. Treatments for covering the window may include: Hard treatments – Hard window treatments are made of hard materials like wood or vinyl. Soft Treatment – anything made up of soft materials comes under the category of soft treatments like the curtains and the draperies. Window shutters: These are usually installed onto the window frame and are horizontal slats, made either of wood or a poly resin that can either be stationary or may have a tilt. They do not move up and down like blinds but in certain applications can fold across the window. Types of...

Buildings account for about 30% of India’s energy consumption, and considering estimates that 2/3rd of the buildings of 2030 in India are yet to be built, the role of buildings in energy consumption is only expected to increase. Therefore it is very important for us to make our buildings efficient and reduce the need for energy consumption. When we buy a car, we study a lot of parameters such as colour, aesthetics, space, and also engine capacity, power, mileage (fuel efficiency), speed, etc, Of course in today’s world, you wouldn’t expect anybody to use the same car beyond 10 years (5 years seems more reasonable). Now compare this with buildings. Buildings typically cost several times a car (several hundred times in the case of large commercial buildings), and have a life of at least 25 years. We do look at parameters such as colour, aesthetics and space. But how many...

An Iconic, large, free flowing space being built at the ground floor of J W Marriott hotel in Kolkata is an epitome of technology. The Diagrid, coming up at the entrance lobby, is a triple height structure and on completion, it would be an architectural marvel. Free flowing space is enclosed with a mesh of rectangular tubes (Diagrid) which is glazed with laminated double glass units. The intent of the designers is to have a minimalistic support frame for the entire 2000 sq m of the Diagrid façade, hence there is no structural member supporting this façade. While the span is very large yet the intent was to have as less frame element as possible with a very high performance and acoustic insulated façade. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="340"] The complex structure of the diagrid[/caption] For the façade contractors Glasswall systems, diagrid project for J W Marriot was a challenging project,...

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...

Project by Merge Studio, New York Led by Varun Kohli, Principal at Merge Studio, the team has created a rigorous process of such integration process where environmental analysis, financial feasibility and other parameters are assessed in tandem with the design process, thus allowing them to solve varying problems and often creating opportunities from initially perceived constraints. For architects of the 21st century, it is impossible to ignore the significance of building envelope design in most sizable projects. It is significant aesthetically as the primary visual element of the building, but more importantly, it is essential in negotiating the transfer of energies between the exterior micro-climatic and interior comfort environments. In addition to aesthetic and environmental considerations, the building envelope design must also address pragmatic issues of maintenance and safety whilst responding to market conditions such as financial feasibility, constructability and material availability. Creative design resolutions for such variable parameters can...

[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...

Developing the most prestigious buildings in south India, from UB City to Shantiniketan, from the Golfshire to the Polygon, Prestige group is the uncrowned king, at the helm of the real estate development scenario of Bangalore and other parts of South India. Known to rule the high end as well as the mass-scale residential developments with the same aplomb, Prestige group became the real game changer in the retail segment also when they built the first ever mall that the southern part of India ever saw – The Forum Read along as Mr. GOPAL V. – Executive Director of the Prestige group, talks about the journey, the vision, the challenges and the dreams, which set the developer on a paramount pedestal. WFM: Mr. Gopal, could you please give us a little background about yourself and how long have you been with Prestige? Gopal (Executive Director, Prestige group): I am a...

Knowing how to do things not just with the head, but with the hands as well, might seem a programmatic and ideological goal. It is not. It is a way of safeguarding creative freedom. We envision a workshop against a studio to Build. The Green Revolution Tall buildings are getting greener. Or green buildings are getting taller. Either way, you slice it, the sustainability movement in the world has gone large-scale and skyward, and nowhere is this more apparent than in Mumbai or in other metro cities of India. By the end of this decade, several green high-rises vis-à-vis apartment buildings, and office towers for financial institutions which are now being planned or are under construction will pepper the skyline. Why the surge? Owners and developers say they’ve discussed green design for years, but no one wanted to be the first to take the plunge. Within a year’s time from...