The new Student Learning Center at Toronto’s Ryerson University in Canada, which opened in February 2015, Designed by Zeidler Partnership Architects of Toronto and Snøhetta of Oslo, Norway and New York City, features a dazzling 5,000 sqm (53,820 sq ft) glass façade printed with white geometric patterns. The white shapes were printed on more than 1,000 digital ceramic-printed glass panels, which were fastened to the aluminium support system with silicon, eliminating protrusions and creating a clean and smooth appearance. Moreover, the building has used 50 per cent more glass than most LEED buildings. The eight-storey building is a trailblazer on multiple interconnected levels: outstanding achievements in both sustainability and innovation, within a strictly limited budget. The pattern design, digital ceramic in-glass printing, glass treatment, and installation techniques were all crucial to the building’s overall design and functionality. To meet the university’s requirement that its state-of-the-art centre for study and collaboration...

Vietnam’s construction industry is flourishing, with major cities like HCM City and Hanoi witnessing a remarkable upswing in stunning high-rise developments. The market’s strong inclination toward top-notch quality and technologically advanced products underlines the immense potential of custom-designed façade products in Vietnam. Major Vietnamese façade contractors have made impressive strides, not just within the country but also on the global stage. BM Windows stands out with its grand projects on coveted land, showcasing world-class façade designs that epitomize Vietnam’s current façade development. BM Windows is poised by ambition to elevate the company to international acclaim. Urbanisation remains an undeniable global trend, and Vietnam is firmly entrenched in this trajectory of progress. Presently, Vietnam stands as one of Southeast Asia’s most developed nations, with urban centres experiencing remarkable growth and breakthroughs. Nearly all major cities in Vietnam are swiftly embracing globalisation and international modernisation trends. The rapid development of Vietnam’s urban...

The choice of glass for a particular project will depend on several factors, including the desired performance characteristics, design aesthetics, and budget. Here are some common types of glass and their ideal applications: • Annealed glass: This is the most basic type of glass often used in low-rise buildings or interior partitions. • Tempered glass: Tempered glass is a type of safety glass that is more durable and resistant to breakage than annealed glass. It is often used in applications where safety is a concern, such as doors, windows, and other building openings. • Laminated glass: Laminated glass is a type of safety glass that is made up of two or more layers of glass, with a plastic interlayer in between. It is often used in applications where safety is a concern, such as skylights, balconies, and exterior walls. [caption id="attachment_51615" align="alignright" width="362"] DLH Park, Mumbai[/caption] • Low-E glass: Low-E...

The façade of a building is one of the most crucial and challenging parts to design because it sets the standard for iconic structures. The modern façade design is continually changing as technology advances at a rapid rate. Future façades will perform more than just basic needs like weather and environmental protection. A longterm, sustainable perspective and an adaptation to the attainment of climate goals are necessary for the façade of the future. The façade will continue to shield the structure from the effects of the environment and influence the home’s aesthetic appeal in the future. Future façades won’t be used for simply technical purposes. A façade of the future should instead actively improve society. The façade will continue to shield the structure from the effects of the environment and influence the home’s aesthetic appeal in the future. We interviewed a few industry experts and here are the responses presented...

In today's world, each building must have an intelligent and responsive surface to survive. Cladding materials will never be earthquake or fire-resistant, but structurally developed surface materials with a specific function may be. Intelligent façades maybe both be responsive and pleasing to the eye. Because of their inherent qualities, readily accessible cladding materials may be responsive and interactive with the surroundings when utilised appropriately. For sustainable living, these qualities can be specified and described. Building spaces with time management, cost, availability, and maintenance, as well as designing with diverse obligations and liabilities, are today's requirements. [caption id="attachment_48209" align="alignright" width="300"] Godrej Platinum, Mumbai[/caption] As a result, many elements are reviewed before implementation The selection of cladding material is made with care, taking into account the location, weather, surrounding region, and kind of property – residential, commercial, industrial, and so on – all of which can aid in material planning. There are...

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...

What are the criteria for selection of architectural hardware for fenestrations? Door and window hardware is a general term for various metal and non-metal parts installed on the exterior windows and doors of buildings. They play a key role in opening and closing doors and windows. The surface is generally treated by electroplating or spraying, which is sturdy, durable, flexible, economical and beautiful. Door and window hardware are selected based on the design, requirements and profiles of the project. The hardware accessories must meet the engineering stress requirements as well as the overall sealing performance of the door (window) including engineering cost, service life and appearance. What kind of services can the door and window hardware supplier provide to customers? In the project design stage, assist customers to improve the design of profiles and provide reasonable advice Selecting hardware, combining project profiles and requirements Provide suitable hardware products Provide face-to-face...

About The Project One of the most luxurious developments in Dubai, City Walk brings together high-end fashion brands, fine dining restaurants, opulent homes, and aweinspiring entertainment venues. Developed by Dubai’s foremost real estate company, Meraas, City Walk is a design-inspired lifestyle destination. Meraas and global design experts from Benoy worked together to create this multi-purpose space right in the heart of the city. This unique property, complete with its own rainforest, al-fresco dining options and busy stores, was created to meet the diverse needs of residents and tourists alike. A small part of the much larger Downtown area, City Walk has become a bustling cultural and retail hub for the city. The Challenge With City Walk being a luxury retail development, we were tasked with the job of creating a glamorous and striking façade for the property. The architect wanted to create an exterior that would reflect the mood of...

Modern technology has given us much better alternatives. Along with many other building materials, the doors we install are wonders of engineering and design. They are aptly designed and well-insulated to provide a thermal barrier between the weather and your home or office, at the same time providing a beautiful entry setting. You can even get doors with large glass panels that use low-E glass technology to deliver excellent thermal performance. Thus, doors and windows play a major role in boosting the energy efficiency of any building. They may also provide some of the biggest energy savings. This edition’s cover story is all about the right designs and proper installation techniques of doors in order to provide the utmost acoustic and thermal comfort within a building. It also elaborates on the performance evaluation of different door configurations to enhance energy conservation. We spoke to the experts on the above-mentioned topics,...

What are Your Views on the Growing Demand of Glass in Building Envelope? [caption id="attachment_33439" align="alignright" width="362"] DAMAC Towers by Paramount Hotels & Resorts Dubai is clad by a Variety of Guardian Glass Coated Solutions, Helping Achieve Complex Aesthetic and Performance Requirements[/caption] We are seeing more buildings with bigger windows, larger window to wall ratios and generally bigger window panels. This is because architects realise the benefit of placing importance on the wellness of the inhabitants, and how wellness is achieved by having a building with more outside vision than a building with closed box walls. With the continuous development of new glass products and innovations in glass, we are able to create a lot more options for architects to realise their vision with glass and make bolder statements in their designs, all the while meeting increasingly more stringent building codes. What Should be the Choice of Glass for Windows...

Rising majestically above the city and the Arabian Sea, Omkar 1973 stands as the tallest residential tower in Mumbai by Omkar Realtors and Developers Private Limited. Never before has and perhaps never again will, a structure of such monumental significance emerge, that too in the very heart of Mumbai. The success story of completion of Omkar 1973 was the talk of the town. Here are the key factors which played a major role in achieving the same. In total 36,500 panels were procured, shipped, fabricated and installed in a record of 16 months period. 1. Unique Elevation: Though Mumbai skyline has many high-rise skyscrapers but the shape of Omkar 1973 was unique of its kind. Lots of curvature and interfacing with different elements has made the construction very challenging. Fosters Partners has conceptualised the project in a very professional manner. Later on DSP & Omkar internal Architect team played a...

ITES, the IT building designed by Ar. Sangeet Sharma of SD Sharma & Associates, is an interesting and a composed architectural project. As a plotted development, it was imperative to design a building which was most functional and eco-friendly. The longer sides were covered with the adjoining buildings so the essential lights was from front and back. The plan is a block of two large halls/working spaces with the central vertical circulation. The central lobby consists the entrance, staircase lifts and toilet blocks-there by giving two large halls an obstructive columnless space. The halls are oriented southwest in the front and northeast on the rear. The design challenges included a perfect environment conducive to IT and an area full of vigour. The key principal design factor of this project is the consideration of the orientation. Being a plotted development the phases of the building faces South West (SW). The challenge...

All of us want to live, work, play, shop relax in natural light and stay connected to the surrounding spaces and views. Natural Light is healthy and gives us a sense of well-being and comfort. People working in Natural Light are more productive and are also more positive due to mental and visual stimulation as proven in many studies worldwide. Medically too, it has been proven that patients recover faster and feel less pain needing lesser analgesics, when recovering or recuperating in natural light conditions in comparison to artificially lit areas. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="392"] Fig.1: 1 Lux is the illumination on a surface of 1 sq m by 1 candle, placed at 1m from such surface[/caption] Natural light in a building will depend upon several factors and a good building design should result in most parts of the building as well The design should also address the energy transfer....

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...

The enormous economic and population growth worldwide over the last four decades has together driven the impacts that threaten the health and well-being of our communities and nations. To name a few -  ozone depletion, climate change, fouling of natural resources and extensive loss of biodiversity and habitat. Amidst this, one word that drives all activities across the globe in today’s time and age is Sustainability. Ranging from ecosystems to buildings, from commercial buildings to urban habitats, you name it and it strives to be sustainable. Leaders in business, government, academia, public interest organizations, and communities are responding with innovative new solutions to sustainability. Large corporations, as well as small businesses, are progressing beyond simple regulatory compliance in favour of more proactive roles in finding solutions to sustainability issues. The Indian building and construction industry is not far behind in this race run for the cause. “For most urban projects,...