Tell us about four major trends in exterior wall cladding? Structural Glazing – Glass envelopes for the built blocks allow for a sleek modern façade, add to the aesthetics of the building, let the light in and also protect the interior of the place from weather conditions. [caption id="attachment_48137" align="alignleft" width="217"] Victor MTB3- Bangalore; Fritted orange glass panels[/caption] Natural cladding for aesthetic - Stone cladding, ceramic cladding, tile cladding, and terracotta cladding. Natural stone cladding was one of the traditional choices and has started to gain popularity once again. This material has an earthy look and unrivalled beauty. Its extreme durability and long lifespan and fire resistance. Metal sheet cladding - The Aluminium, Copper and Zinc cladding sheets do more than just provide the skin of the building with a smooth and durable finish. It is corrosion resistant and is available in a wide variety of choices. Wood and marble...

Construction is a vital sector in architecture. Many sites have opened while observing strict safety protocols, and this has kept consultants and contractors busy despite the challenging months. Nevertheless, crises and opportunities seem to have had a massive impact on the façade and fenestration sector compared to real estate. Due to the effects of COVID-19, the façade and fenestration industry faced challenges like shortages of liquidity, materials, labor, etc. As a result, many upcoming projects were halted due to the recession. The cost of products, materials & labor has also increased dramatically. Although the demand for façade materials may have decreased due to cost constraints, things seem to be finally getting back on track. [caption id="attachment_45649" align="alignright" width="300"] Glass has transformed modern architecture, allowing people to enjoy panoramic views[/caption] Glass has transformed modern architecture, allowing people to enjoy panoramic views. Flat glass is widely used in industrial settings for numerous...

[caption id="attachment_44910" align="alignright" width="300"] Example of water infiltration within a curtain wall assembly[/caption] The most common and costly problems associated with the in-service performance of vertical building envelopes of large buildings can be attributed to excessive air leakage and water intrusion. Windows and curtain walls in particular — as well as their interfaces with adjacent wall constructions — are critical elements in the performance of the vertical building envelope. Improved standards and design principles have contributed to significant overall improvements in the performance of window and curtain wall systems, including resistance to water penetration, air leakage, wind load, or condensation. However, the reality is that many recently constructed buildings still experience problems with the service performance of installed windows and curtain walls. Typically, these problems result from poor fabrication or installation or a lack of adequate quality control.   [caption id="attachment_44912" align="alignleft" width="300"] Example of water infiltration at a punched...

Vetrotech Saint-Gobain, the global leader in fire-resistant glass solutions, together with Forster Profile Systems, global leaders in specialist steel fenestration solutions, announced the successful development of their new fire-rated, slim-line structural glazed curtain wall system. Both Vetrotech Saint-Gobain & Forster Profile Systems have their headquarters in Switzerland (Basel & Arbon respectively), with regional offices spread across the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions. All of their fire-rated systems are tested and certified to the highest international standards, such as BS, EN, NFPA, ANSI, ASTM. Traditionally, fire-rated façades utilise the stick method of construction, with mullion/ transom spigots, dry-glazing gaskets, pressure plates, and external snap-on capping to hold the fire-resistant glass in place. However, while architects often look for a clean, uncluttered appearance, which can only be achieved using structural silicone glazed systems, they also demand a seamless interface between firerated and non-fire rated structural glazing, either on the interior or on...

Innovation Glass India Pvt. Ltd. announced the recent completion of the Cummins Technology Center in Pune, India, which broke ground in 2013. The new technical campus was designed by Venkatraman Associates. Cummins, which has technical centers in 30 countries around the world, designs and manufactures diesel and other alternative fuel engines. The company’s forward-thinking and innovative work is manifested in the stunning architecture of the new campus, which features the world’s largest faceted wall—made possible by VS1. VS1 is a patented curtain wall system that uses a blade shaped mullion and cast aluminium fittings to support insulating or monolithic glass. This simple kit of parts offers users an unprecedented level of flexibility while eliminating transoms and fitting hardware from daylight openings. After an international bidding process, It was selected over conventional solutions as the system of choice for the Cummins façades. [caption id="attachment_43604" align="alignnone" width="774"] Suspended VS1 canopies shield the...

Glass has made its way as a wonder material and deep inroads in the building industry. It has revamped itself hugely and the industry has broken the conventional fears and norms of breakage, safety, security and several other factors and addressed them head-on. The technological innovations in glass and glazing have helped and rewarded the industry with substantial growth in volumes and adding diversity and versatility in usage. Façade glazing contributes to the aesthetics of a building and reduces the visual and physical weight of a building. It presents design opportunities to architects, where they can explore different geometric configurations and shapes of glass with customised module design and its assembly. Architects are still exploring its creative applications. [caption id="attachment_43466" align="alignnone" width="774"] Blu by BES Consultants[/caption] Window/Façade Glazing - Why is it Important? [caption id="attachment_43467" align="alignleft" width="150"] Dwayne Sloan Director Principal Engineering, Built Environment, UL[/caption] The building façade refers to...

Glass is a versatile material that has been used in architecture for a long time. It is due to its transparency that glass is used in spaces to create partitions without barriers. It can connect the places without the use of concrete and bricks and also let light pass through. This helps the colours and the design to show, so the use of artificial electric energy is used less during the day, and the sunlight or moonlight carries into space. Out of all the materials, glass is already used in most of our homes. The use of glass in home decor is rarely thought of as decorative and is thought to be more utilitarian. Glass can come in several forms from the glazing, to countertops and decorative walls or even cladding and fenestration. Glass Fenestrations [caption id="attachment_43382" align="alignright" width="300"] Glass when used as a facade material, makes the building look...

What are the key elements of curtain walling systems? The curtain wall system is a non-load-bearing façade system that usually consists of a lightweight frame structure with various types of infill panels. A common curtain wall consists of aluminium frames and glass infill. Aluminummullion and transom as profiles, mainly made of alloy, have good extrudability, high-quality finish, corrosion resistance and brackets normally with structural alloys. Glazing can be thermally performance and non-performance. It can vary from monolithic, laminated, insulated units of double or triple glazing. What are the characters of a well-designed curtain wall? In short, a well-designed curtain wall is the one that connects all points on the magic triangle of cost, quality, and time. When I say quality, it is in terms of performance, aesthetics, and its performance or longevity against design life. [caption id="attachment_43164" align="alignleft" width="217"] Many times, the contractors have special teams to install the façade...

A curtain wall is a nonstructural exterior covering of a building that is connected to the frame and used to withstand the effects of environmental elements including wind, rain, etc. For better performance of the façade of the buildings, it is very important to carefully study the curtain wall during the design stage to take into consideration all of the performance criteria such as air and water tightness. The selection of the right material and the design elements for the curtain wall are critical to giving longer life to the building. We interviewed a few top names from the Middle East’s façade industry to learn more about effective curtain walling. Here are experts' views and some trips that should be followed. The Key Elements of Curtain Walling Systems [caption id="attachment_43267" align="alignright" width="150"] Douglas Sum Partner and Co-Owner, Heroes Architects and Engineers[/caption] Douglas Sum, Partner, and Co-Owner, of Heroes Architects and...

Efficient buildings are designed to provide occupants with a comfortable, safe, and healthy living and work environment. This requires superior architecture and engineering designs, quality construction practices, and intelligent operation of the structures. According to a study in the USA, the major areas of energy consumption in buildings are heating, ventilation, and air conditioning—35% of total building energy and lighting consumes —11%. Façade and fenestration is often considered the biggest hurdle in achieving higher levels of energy efficiency in buildings. Building owners opt for the most efficient façade and fenestration system which contributes to energy conservation, thereby operational costs. This edition cover story on “Effective Fenestration Through Improved Designs & Systems” discusses key factors such as characteristics and main features of sustainable and efficient façades and fenestration, ideal wall-window ratio, and improved acoustics and thermal comfort through proper design and installation of fenestration. It also throws light on the ways...

Façade is one of the most susceptible elements of building design. The majority of the population, being ignorant about the performance of the material, often fail to understand the veracity that the façade design plays, especially in controlling or propagating the spread of fire. With more emphasis on aesthetics, energy efficiency, cost factor, etc., fire safety has always been kept under the radar. However, keeping in view the present market trends, this has gone beyond just the aesthetic part and plays a more prominent role in light conveyance, acoustics execution, and effectiveness. The scenario has become more complex with the unstoppable mushrooming of high-rise buildings which pose a greater fire hazard. Though there are numerous fire safety-related codes and standards, in India these are scarcely followed. When it comes to façades, it is mostly influenced by the pure considerations of alluring appearance and pricing, and is yet to hit the...

The façade is a derivative of the French word, ’façade’ which means "frontage" or "face”. In architecture, the façade of a building is one of the most critical aspects from an aesthetic standpoint as it becomes the identity of the building, just like the face of a human being. Their façades recognize the most iconic buildings in the world. Fully glazed façades have become the industry standard when it comes to commercial office space design. They enable natural lighting for larger floor plates compared with RCC and brick façades and impart an iconic perspective to the building. Developers can extract higher rentals for fully glazed buildings as compared to buildings with conventional façades. While consultants and designers focus remains on aesthetics, sustainability, new materials, and cost, the aspects of fire safety often get ignored. This article attempts to identify the fire risks associated with glass façades, their application concerning codes,...

Welcome to the world with open arms! Doors and windows are openings towards the world outside. With stylized doors and beautiful windows, we invite all! we invite life as it comes with all its treasures and astonishments. When it comes to doors, we immediately imagine a wood-framed structure prevalent for ages, but nowadays aluminium doors and windows are trending. Moreover, the entire wall is renewed with glass curtains. [caption id="attachment_42189" align="alignright" width="300"] Alfen Bi-folding/Sliding Folding Doors & Windows[/caption] Sleek is the new definition of style, a minimal structure yet complete enclosure with a facility to open the entire structure. There are many advanced features available in the fenestration industry for manufacturing doors and windows. But bi-folding doors and windows are revolutionary. The system allows employing the product as bi-folding doors, windows and also as glass curtains, enclosing the sitting area with scenery still visible. The system works on two horizontally...

The cladding aims to withstand external weathering and offer durability and sustainability to the building façade. The choice in design and material of a façade is determined by factors such as the size and type of building, its geographical location, weather conditions it is exposed to etc. Energy efficiency is the main concern, besides its appearance. Today, the market offers a variety of materials for façades with abundant choices in designs and patterns. Large-size porcelain tiles and high-pressure laminates are in trend for their aesthetic value and sturdiness. Exterior Clad Laminated (ECL) high-pressure laminates and porcelain wall clads are used for the majority of structures. The products have anti-graffiti properties and offer flexibility in installation. These are high-grade and high-pressure compact laminates. Inspired by the colours and patterns of natural wood, the 6mm thick, laminates come in over 200 designs in grainy bark style or plain wood patterns. Mount matt...

Cladding in construction is a material applied on the exterior walls to provide a skin or layer. It provides a degree of thermal insulation and weather resistance and also improves the appearance of buildings. Cladding can be made of any of a wide range of materials available in the market, including wood, metal, stone, brick, vinyl, and composite materials that can comprise aluminium, wood, stones, blends of cement and recycled polystyrene, etc. The wall cladding market in India is still evolving and the future for the same definitely holds much promise with the high demands in the construction industry. In this edition’s cover story, we discuss the trends in cladding materials and technologies, intelligent and responsive cladding solutions, future cladding materials and designs, testing for the wall clads for strength and durability, standards and norms while procuring and installing cladding materials, and much more. [caption id="attachment_41788" align="alignnone" width="774"] One of...

The 42 is a 268 m tall (65 story) high-end residential tower. Currently it is the tallest building in Kolkata. The work on façades of this iconic tower is complete and it is built using high-performance building envelope/façade systems. BES has been appointed by the developer for façade engineering & consultancy from concept to site completion including site phase design approvals, quality control and site inspection for the residential tower façades. BES's scope covers all glass façade designs and overall buildings envelope for the tower, lobby and entrances. [caption id="attachment_41682" align="alignleft" width="300"] Mullion plan details[/caption] Following are key design elements of the tower: • Unitised bespoke glass façade system with high performance DGU • Glass railing for terrace balconies • Triple height entrance lobby façade using bespoke designs by BES • Large cantilevered canopies with steel structure and cladded • Steel canopy structure engineered and detailed by BES BES has...