As designers, architects or manufacturers & contractors, we are all connected to the building industry and we are increasingly aware of the massive implications of adding millions of square feet each year on planet Earth. To quantify this, it is estimated that about 40% of CO2 emissions are related, in some way, to the building construction industry. We also understand that there is a need to course correct and bring sustainable practices in a more rigorous way, even in built retail environments. Stores are slowly but surely demonstrating their commitment towards sustainability to their customers, and that they are relevant for today, and also for the future. There is a rising need to adopt circular sustainable design practices through recycling, repurposing, reducing and reusing. [caption id="attachment_57012" align="alignleft" width="399"] Super clear transmission with minimal glazing system of the façade lends the zen attitude in design and creates an inside outside connect[/caption]...

As smart building technologies become more prevalent, how do you see façades integrating with these systems to enhance overall building performance? Integration of façades with smart building technologies has been happening for a while now. The most prevalent example is the integration of shading systems with BMS (Building Management Systems and BAS (Building Automation Systems). This includes internal shading such as blinds and louvers as well as external shading as a part of kinetic façades. Smart glass is also becoming quite popular. Smart glass is one whose VLT (visible light transmittance) changes depending upon external conditions. All of these have served to help façades improve user comfort and energy efficiency of the overall building. The next step in the process of façade integration with building automation that we can hopefully look forward to is the reduction in risks and costs associated with the same. Improvement in data collection and sensors...

Today’s high-rise buildings are shedding their static skins and embracing a new generation of intelligent systems that redefine comfort, performance, and environmental responsibility. This in-depth analysis delves into the world’s most widely installed cutting-edge façade solutions, exploring their general and specific design parameters, performance characteristics, and the materials shaping this exciting evolution. The future of high-rise buildings is being reshaped by intelligent façades, a new generation of cladding and glazing systems that go far beyond aesthetics. These dynamic systems integrate cutting-edge technologies to optimise comfort, performance, and environmental impact, setting a new standard for sustainable and responsive architecture. General Parameters and Specific Considerations for Façade Design Sustainability: Minimising environmental impact through energy efficiency, resource conservation, and responsible material selection. Comfort: Optimising thermal and acoustic insulation, daylighting, and indoor air quality for occupant well-being. Thermal: Maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures through passive and active solar control, natural ventilation, and efficient insulation. Visual:...

Building operation accounts for 30% of global energy consumption and 26% of global energy-related emissions according to Buildings - Energy Systems - IEA (n.d.). Commercial and residential buildings consume about 33% of the energy for cooling and daylighting in India (Kumar et al., 2017). Due to such significant contributions to negative phenomena like increasing carbon emissions, rising global temperatures, and climate change, optimizing building energy performance has become a matter of utmost importance as a corrective measure. In fine-tuning a building’s energy use, looking at customized climate-responsive design solutions that reduce building energy demand, also called passive design, becomes crucial. Passive design is as important, sometimes more, as deploying efficiently-performing air- air-conditioning and ventilation systems. Passive design involves parametric analysis considering the element-wise contribution to the building heating/ cooling demands. The critical aspect of passive design is the building envelope that separates the building’s conditioned and unconditioned environment. ROLE OF...

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...

In an interview with SWATI PUCHALAPALLI Founding Partner & Director, Terra Viridis, she explains her approach to design, principles of sustainability, carbon neutrality, and conservation of energy. She also spoke about services offered by Terra Viridis, some of her milestone Net Zero projects, and much more. Here is the excerpt from the interview. Tell us about your educational background and career experiences. How did you enter this profession? I studied architecture and moved into sustainability immediately after. I did my masters in sustainable design from Edinburgh, UK. On the completion of my M.Sc., I worked in London for about six years in a consultancy firm called BDSP Partnership, which specialised in the sustainable design of buildings. I moved to India to work on a project that was very close to my heart, and which I felt very passionate about. [caption id="attachment_54254" align="alignright" width="774"] National Maritime Heritage Centre, Aerial view (Architect...

Selecting the right automatic entrance solutions for a building is a multifaceted process that requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure optimal functionality, energy efficiency, security, and overall user experience. As a facade consultant, your expertise extends to the exterior and entry points of a building, making your role instrumental in making informed decisions regarding automatic entrances. In this comprehensive guide, we will elaborate on key points to consider when choosing automatic entrance solutions, delving deeper into each aspect. 1. Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency is a paramount concern in modern building design and operation. Automatic entrance solutions can significantly impact a building's energy consumption, making it crucial to prioritize low-energy operations. Here's a detailed look at this aspect: Low Energy Operation: One of the primary considerations is the energy consumption of the automatic entrance. Many systems offer low-energy modes that reduce power consumption during periods of low traffic. These...

The field of building exteriors has seen significant progress in the development of materials for cladding façades, windows, and doors. Architects and designers now have a diverse selection of materials, such as glass, aluminium, metals, concrete, brick, fly ash, wood, bamboo, rammed earth, and tensile fabric. These materials offer distinct properties that allow for visually impressive and environmentally appropriate structures to be created. [caption id="attachment_53948" align="alignright" width="276"] The façade radiates warmth and transparency: Glass offers transparency and visual connectivity, metal strips provide strength and support, and wood introduces a natural and textured element to building façades[/caption] Glass has gained immense popularity due to its transparency, versatility, and capacity to maximise natural light in buildings. With advancements in glass technology, such as low-emissivity coatings and double or triple glazing, improved insulation and solar control are achieved, leading to reduced energy usage for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Aluminium, known for its...

This 10-storey hospital functions as three medical speciality centres— housing inpatient services for high-risk obstetrics and neonatal care, cancer care and advanced surgical care. The building’s overall curvilinear form was driven by the design of the patient units in conjunction with advanced modelling to capitalise on views, maximise daylight, minimise solar gain and glare. [caption id="attachment_52100" align="alignleft" width="217"] Building Exterior[/caption] The geometry creates a continuous flowing curve of the exterior—a dynamic form with beautiful proportions that changes as one passes around the building’s perimeter. Elevated gardens and terraces are integrated into the exterior, bringing nature up to the patient floor level. In addition, the façade is further articulated by a series of horizontal and vertical projections, which serve as shading devices. The interplay of these projections along with the varying floor plates breaks down the building mass, making it less intimidating. With the intent of creating a homogeneous envelope while...

MARKET FOR DOORS & WINDOWS The door and window market continues to develop and improve. The door and window industry has entered the era of brand marketing, which is an effective tool for corporate competition and a carrier for realising corporate value. This year, the door and window industry has been fighting a price war, showing an intensified trend, and even a rare low price. [caption id="attachment_50322" align="alignleft" width="217"] Single vertical cable façade with spider fittings[/caption] The commercial and residential sectors offer prospects for growth in the global door and window industry. With a CAGR of 3.8% from 2016 to 2021, the worldwide door window market shipments were predicted which reached $231.3 million in 2021. According to a survey by Lucintel, the global door window market is anticipated to expand between 2022 and 2027 at a CAGR of 4.9% and $308 million in value and volume. Through 2025, window demand...

Piramal Aranya is situated in a very propitious location, right next to the Veer Jijamata Udyan and with proximity to the eastern waterfronts. The Aranya towers are perceived as very elegant, tall and sleek structures. They will redefine expectations of living within the centre of Mumbai. Connections with the city are enhanced with incredible unobstructed views of the entire Mumbai peninsula, making sure the architecture isn’t a barrier to connecting with the city. ‘Columns’ are swapped for blade walls and the windows are maximised to the full width of the living and bedroom accommodation. Full-height corner windows have also been incorporated into the design for some of the apartments providing a panoramic view of the exteriors. Full-width glazing of the façades maximises daylight with operable sliding window systems for ventilation. For curtain walls, openable windows have been provided as per the CFO requirement. This has been done without sacrificing the...

As societies move towards being carbon neutral, the Singapore government is targeting to achieve the climate ambition of net zero carbon emissions by mid of 21st century. In 2019, Singapore introduced the carbon tax and Bloomberg reported in February 2022 that the carbon tax levels will rise progressively from 2024. In addition, the electricity tariff in Singapore influenced by the gas and oil costs has also increased steadily since January 2021. These events brought about the urgency for organisations to explore innovative solutions with renewable energy. Singapore’s shift towards renewable energy is not the most straightforward one due to our geographic limitations. Being a small and resource-constrained country, Singapore is constrained by limited space and low average wind speeds, making it unsuitable for harvesting wind energy and hydropower. While solar energy is one of the promising renewable energy sources on our sunny tropical island, we still lack the space for...

An Interesting interview with Ar. Sumit Dhawan Founder & Principal Architect, Cityspace '82 Architects talks about his journey over the years, major projects, and his design principles. He also explains the key factors to consider while designing façades for various types of projects, on choosing materials for façades and the latest technologies applied to attain the most sustainable buildings. Hers is the excerpt from the interview Please tell us about your practice and its growth over the years? I started a solitary practice directly after completing B.Arch in the year 2005 and founded Cityspace’82 Architects. My childhood passion for architecture manifested my perseverance and belief which lead me to practice unconditional hard work. I got my first project immediately after the completion of my internship in the last year of college. The project was a 500 Sq yd residence in Gurugram assigned to me by a friend’s father Mr. Bhutani,...

Excerpts from an interesting interview with Ar. Ishan Grover and Ar. Karan Grover from Karan Grover & Associates (KGA) sharing insights about their firm, accomplishments, and their mission and vision. Please tell us about your practice and its growth in India over the years? Ar. Karan Grover (KG): Karan Grover and Associates (KGA) was established in 1985 after dissolving a partnership with Ar. Manoj Patel, which started 10 years ago. KGA emerged into a multi-disciplinary organisation with the best associate consulting teams for all the services, which is seen as an integral part of architectural design activity. In 2004, KGA was the first architectural firm in the world to win the USGBC “Platinum” award for the greenest building in the world - The “CII–Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre”. Later, we also went on to win the second Platinum Award for the interior of ABN AMRO Bank in Ahmedabad. [caption id="attachment_47540"...

An interview with Jasmin Hodzic, AME Director - Marketing at Guardian Glass about the journey of Guardian Glass, the products they offer in the market, the benefits of their products, and so on. Read the excerpts below Brief about the history and objective behind Guardian Glass? Guardian Glass has a heritage of matching the latest technologies to people’s needs. Perhaps this is no surprise once you realise we began as a windshield glass manufacturer for Detroit’s automobile industry. Not a place to succeed without having innovative ideas, strict quality control, and a relentless work ethic. On October 26, 1970, Guardian opened its first state-of-the-art float glass plant in Carleton, Michigan, becoming the first U.S. company in over 50 years to enter the primary glass market. Following this success, Guardian went on to construct glass manufacturing plants across the United States, then Europe, then globally across regions as diverse as Thailand,...

In architecture, façades can be considered as visual gateways to buildings. In addition to providing a watertight enclosure, façades also control the amount of natural lighting, ventilation, and thermal protection. Façades greatly influence the aesthetics of buildings and can also have a huge impact on their energy efficiency, lifespan, and ease of maintenance. Here are some parameters to consider while designing façades and fenestrations so they can create an incessant dialogue with the surroundings as well as the observer, in addition to being energy-efficient and sustainable. COMMUNICATING FAÇADES When considering building designs that communicate with its surroundings, façades have to be regarded with a keen design eye and sensitive outlook, as they are what first catches the attention of the spectator and sets the tone for the rest of the building. They can be often misinterpreted as static emotionless walls embracing trendy silhouettes and flashy materials, with little regard to...