Façade is one of the most crucial parts of a building and adds a visual outlook as an effect on the entire building’s design. A building façade has many layers to protect the exterior of the building, providing it sustainability, at the same time it’s identity. Façades should be aesthetically pleasing and its exclusivity is the requirement of the present era. Curtain wall and cladding are the integral part of a façade system. With the right choice of façade, by keeping in mind the materials’ durability, sustainability, compatibility and suitability, safety and availability, the look and lifespan of the entire building can be transformed. The right material gives a perfect façade. For this cover story, we interviewed a few top names from the Middle-East’s façade industry to help our readers in choosing the best suitable solutions for their building façade requirements. The experts have also shared their views on the...

Façades are the most important building element from both the users and the architect’s point of view. They are the most difficult to design since the perception of iconic and technologically advanced façades is changing frequently. As per the United Nations Environment Program, buildings and their construction together account for 36 per cent of global energy use and 39 per cent of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions annually. [caption id="attachment_39031" align="alignright" width="151"] AR. Khozema Chitalwala Principal Architect & Designer, Designers Group[/caption] Since the building’s envelope is the primary contributor to energy gain, and correspondingly its most important element in controlling the carbon footprint, it is no longer a matter of choice but mandatory to come up with technologies that perform better, are more functional and, of course, look great. Designers are researching and experimenting with new and complex façade and fenestration technologies. [caption id="attachment_39032" align="alignleft" width="150"] AR. Manish Dikshit Partner &...

One of the most prominent trends in the last few years in real estate has been the usage of glass façades. Most of the iconic buildings in Indian metros today are elegant corporate houses with glass façades. Today, glass façades have become an industry with several companies offering a plethora of choices in everything from supplying different glass to customisation, cleaning and maintenance. The reason for architects' and developers' preference for glass is because it reduces the weight on the foundation and hence makes the building lighter as compared to constructing walls. Structurally glazed façade systems create greater transparency than traditional captured systems. There are fewer visual interruptions due to the use of less metal on the glass façades, creating a seamless, continuous transparent look, merging the interiors with the exterior. Since there is little to no exposed exterior metal, there is also less thermal bridging with structural glazing, saving...

The client approached us with the idea of developing a Tech Park inside the REC Campus for the purpose of training computer science engineering students and to provide incubation centres which can host young start-ups. The aim was to encourage the recent graduates to enter the start-up ecosystem. The building needed to be completed in an express timeline of 180 days as the infrastructure was needed for the upcoming new batch. The existing facilities inside the campus were dismal and poorly equipped for computer science training. The site selected was an open land near the existing administration building. Being at the entrance of the campus, the building needed to be innovative and futuristic, symbolising the willingness of the university to adapt to the next generation of computer technology. Concept Note- Rec Tech Park [caption id="attachment_38609" align="alignleft" width="362"] The roof of the atrium was made with translucent polycarbonate sheets that allow...

What is your take on the growing demand for glass in niche and low-rise applications? Glass, being a versatile material, founds its usage in many niche applications. Due to its inherent property of being transparent, it has started replacing other common building materials. For instance, we have seen a steep growth in the usage of fire-rated glass for partitions & doors. Full metal or wooden doors are being replaced with small vision panel doors, full glass doors, and full-height fire-rated glass partitions. We have also seen glass being used for various architectural masterpieces, whether it is a luxury retail area, mall or airport. Here, architects make use of specialty glass products that can play with the colours and light. What are the trends in architectural glass in the Middle East? The rulers of the UAE have the vision to move the country forward and make it a futuristic place where...

What are the advancements in facade technologies & façade materials in the past 5 years? During the past 5 years, advancement in facade technologies has led to the introduction of innovative curtain wall systems. One of the most significant changes in technical solutions and the aesthetics of high-rise buildings was caused by the role of the contemporary glass façade of the building. It is noticeable in the last few years of development of new advanced façade solutions integrated with plants to combine architectural features and trendsto reduce carbon emissions. [caption id="attachment_36287" align="alignleft" width="500"] Nana Princess Luxury Suites, Villas & Spa - Greece[/caption] Currently, ventilated double skin façades represent the most valid technology, where shading devices are placed between two layers of glazing, capturing the energy trapped in the cavity. In a naturally ventilated façade, the cavity between the two skins is ventilated with outdoor air. An active wall façade is...

On Glass for Contemporary Façade and Fenestration: Glass is a contemporary material with the inherent quality of framing the views, creating inviting spaces and connecting the outside to the built form. It would not be accurate to classify glass as a good or bad material. It is the vision of the designer and the application that makes its use relevant to the design. Indian climate is a very wide topic itself, and we have a varying climatic condition that might require from a triple glazed windows to trap the winter heat, to twenty percent opening on a particular façade in very hot climatic conditions. Glass can well be a material of choice to achieve even a net positive building. For us, the glass selection is done in spirit of the design and the values required. We prefer using a neutral shade and DGU is our selection of glass. In our...

From the stone age to the current age of modernity and high-end technology, architecture has witnessed an evolution in terms of building materials, construction systems, and design solutions. While materials like stone, clay, and timber were prominent in ancient constructions, a shift to brick, concrete, metal, and glass enhanced the way we built. In the era of smart cities and smartphones, building materials are becoming smarter as well. What is the need for materials and building technologies to constantly evolve? As nature is already depleted of its natural resources and global warming is at its peak, architects and designers have stepped up to create new materials and techniques. Smart Facades: Biomimicry & Biomimetic Facades [caption id="attachment_35478" align="alignleft" width="399"] Architects have created designs inspired by the honeycomb and living organisms[/caption] Buildings are capable of producing up to 33% of carbon emissions, because of which architects are striving towards designing smart façades...

Façade is one of the most significant components of a building envelope. It goes about as the essential obstruction against outer climate components that could harm the well being of the structure, for example, downpour, wind, sun, and so on. In contrast to the structural design of the building, the façades are designed in distinct ways on the basis of different architectural styles. [caption id="attachment_35384" align="alignleft" width="176"] Ian Weekes Associate Director, Abu Dhabi/Qatar, Meinhardt Façade Technology[/caption] The architects have been deploying the latest façade technologies and materials in their designs and it will keep on changing in the future. Technological advancements in the design trends and new materials will keep on entering the façade industry in the Middle East in the future. Sustainability has always been playing an important role in the selection of façade material and designing process and it will always remain the most important part. Other than...

A Holistic Approach To Fire Safe Facades Façade is one of the most vulnerable elements of a building, especially in case of a fire incident. With more attention to aesthetics, cost factor, energy efficiency, eye-catching materials, green concept, etc., considerations of fire safety measures have been slipped under the radar. The scenario has become more complex with the unstoppable mushrooming of high-rise buildings which pose a greater fire hazard. [caption id="attachment_35093" align="alignleft" width="217"] Vijay Kumar Shaw AGM – BD (West Zone), Alstrong Enterprises India (Pvt) Limited[/caption] The role of a façade is as complex as the building itself as it needs to strike a balance between all the parameters such as aesthetics, visual character, structural stability, solar heat gain, daylight filtration, visibility, thermal comfort, branding and programmatic zoning, among other aspects, notes Vijay Kumar Shaw, Assistant General Manager – BD (West Zone), Alstrong Enterprises India. Due to its complex nature,...

A building’s façade is an expressive feature. Perhaps the only visible design element to the non-inhabitants is the façade. Creatively illuminated building façades convey messages, communicate emotions, create attention and facilitate orientation. Moreover, modern lighting solutions for building façades add value to the architectural or economic merit by making a location more prominent, beautiful and safer. Achieving the status of ‘iconic and attractive nightscapes’ demands great aesthetic design sensibility. Lighting solutions also need to be sustainable, save resources and prevent unnecessary light pollution. A building is in constant dialogue with its ecosystem, and for it to be sustainable, an efficient system of façade lighting is imperative. Saving energy is an omnipresent challenge. Façade lighting must, therefore, get to grips with ecological compatibility issues. Night View Of Raipur Airport Designed by Creative Group The number of buildings that have illuminated façades is increasing sharply. Because of architectural, societal and technological changes,...

Please Elaborate on the Use & Benefits of Aluminium Extrusions Used as a Building Material, with a Focus on Whole Building Design, Sustainability and Application Possibilities. The architectural building façade uses a wide range of aluminium extrusions. Architectural aluminium is mainly produced by an extrusion process, which provides nearly unlimited freedom in designing of simple to complex shapes suiting to the building requirements. This gives a great freedom to the architect to design pleasing elevations and forms by keeping functionality and sustainability intact. Modern designs can be produced in 3 to 4 weeks’ time through die cutting and extrusion process. Aluminium extrusions being non-corrosive in nature, provide highest surface finish and possibility to enhance with the exotic finish applications like anodising and powder coating. [caption id="attachment_33626" align="alignleft" width="360"] Double Skin Unitized System[/caption] Aluminium extrusion material compliments 50 to 100 years design life of building façade requirements. Also, being non-corrosive in...

Tell Us About Your Practice and Design Approach? John R Harris & Partners is one of the first European practices to operate in the ME region with the founder of the practice late John R Harris establishing the practice in UK in 1949. In 1960s, John R Harris & Partners were invited by then Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum to develop a master plan for the rapidly growing city of Dubai. Since the establishment of Dubai offices in 1960s, the practice has been delivering several significant projects in the region, which include Dubai World Trade Center, Ruler’s Diwan, Dubai Hospital, Al Baraha Hospital, and recent landmark projects including LOB Tower 17 & 18 in JAFZA, Mirdiff 35 Mall, and currently the under construction Sports Society Shopping Centre. The practice has recently joined forces with Aukett Swanke Group Architects - UK, which has greatly increased our...

Glass is one of the oldest and most popular material in building construction. Over the years, it has emerged as one of the widely used facade materials around the world. Glass when used as a facade material, makes the building look more beautiful. One of the most important benefits of glass is that it allows natural light to enter the building, thus saving the electricity costs. Glass Facade also offers extraordinary flexibility, which makes it the most preferred choice amongst the architects, builders and consultants. In this Article, the experts have given their opinions on how glass is revolutionizing the building industry in the Middle East. Through this article, you will also get to know about the new technological trends in the glass facade and how they benefit the buildings in the region. Demand for glass facades in Building Envelope Over the centuries, the glass has evolved dramatically. For years,...

Saint Gobain Glass  Saint-Gobain founded in 1665, has developed into providing high-performing and innovative glass solutions: products, services and systems, helping to create great living places and improve daily life. In an interview with Window & Façade Magazine, Bruno Mauvernay Chief Operating Officer of Saint-Gobain Glass Exprover shared his views on the scenario of the glass industry in the Middle East. He also talked about the plans of Saint-Gobain for the coming years. Here are the excerpts from the interview… Please Elaborate on the Innovations you have made in the Latest Architectural Projects you have Undertaken. We feel privileged to be part of an industry that challenges us daily to deliver improved performance, design and service. We play our part in designing some of the world’s most iconic architectural projects, offering a wide range of innovative glazing solutions for façades. [caption id="attachment_33208" align="alignleft" width="225"] Edgar N. Putman Event Pavilion[/caption] One...

This takes me back to my childhood and my frequent visits to the grandparent’s village, the colourful doors were such a feature of each house. The colourful wooden carved doors were the identity of that house. The doors are very technical! May be, before we get into the technical aspects of doors, it is important to understand the use and impact of doors. Heavy wooden carved doors were such a striking feature of some of India’s old palaces. The carving, the detailing on the door reminds you of that era’s wealth, might and craftsmanship. Open chain latches were such a bold and striking feature of those days. That was a different time and different age, we moved much ahead. Beyond aesthetics, doors need to be utilitarian and coexist with the space. The Colourful Wooden Carved Doors were the Identity of the Bygone Era We rarely realize, but doors help us...