Material procurement planning plays a key role in the successful implementation of the project. Normally the decisions are delayed and once the procurement starts there is a mad rush to complete the project, which results in overlooking many key aspects which eventually further delays the project. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="392"] Another project by Omkar under construction[/caption] Technical details : Glass: Glass selection is the most time-consuming item. It needs thorough detailed work. Selection parameters should be clearly defined viz colour, U value, light transmission etc. Look for the ideal combination of DGU laminated or both. Select proper interlayer film depending upon usage internal or external. Select glass processing as per requirement viz tempering, heat strengthening, heat soaking etc. Selection of face to be fritted in case of frit glass Aluminium: The following points are to be considered during finalizing extrusion Alloy & temper selection depending upon usage & bending Powder...

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="166"] Ar. Karl Wadia,Senior Associate Architect, Architect Hafeez Contractor[/caption] Ar. Karl Wadia, Senior Associate; Architect Hafeez Contractor; has always had a penchant for design. He graduated from The Academy of Architecture, Mumbai in 2003 and completed post graduate degree from the Columbia University in New York. His humble beginning in the field of architecture started as a young intern at Architect Hafeez Contractor’s office. Karl, through hard work and dedication, now heads a team of approximately 70 Associates, Architects and CAD Team, popularly known as ‘Karl Group’ at AHC (Architect Hafeez Contractor). Ar. Karl Wadia spoke to WFM about an array of topics including his firm’s design strategies, important ongoing projects, latest trends and technologies in façade and fenestration design, and safety & security aspects to be factored during design. WFM: Can you describe the evolution of your work from when you began? Ar. Karl Wadia (KW):...

In the heart of Dubai, halfway between the world’s tallest building (Burj Khalifa) and the newly opened Dubai Water Canal, construction is coming to an end on yet another landmark for the city: The Opus by Zaha Hadid. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300"] Street view of The Opus[/caption] The Opus is a mixed-use 20-story building – hotel, serviced apartments and offices –which resembles a glowing cube that floats above the ground and has a freeform void in its centre. The building consists of two concrete towers connected by a steel bridge on top and a large steel-supported atrium roof at the base, seamlessly cladded with glazed curtain walling. The external façades are built with transparent glazing with a mirror pattern, in contrast with the freeform inner “void” area which has dark blue glazing. Our job since the start of the project was to provide consultancy services on building envelope engineering. From...

Ozone, a dominant international player in the architectural hardware domain, introduced the Telescopic Automatic Sliding Door System recently. This system works on a double pulley mechanism enabling wider clear door openings occupying minimum parking space. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="392"] The system works on a double-pulley mechanism[/caption] With the emergence of spacious & luxurious commercial spaces, the need for wider door openings is on a rising trend, The Ozone Telescopic Automatic Sliding Door System is the best solution for such requirements in the category. These systems are efficient in handling high-traffic movement yet ensure smoother door performance with every closing or opening. In this system, in order to achieve a wider clear door opening space, two pieces of active door panels/leaves should be installed in a space of one. These 2 door panels/leaves move simultaneously at a 2:1 speed ratio. The Ozone Automatic Telescopic Sliding Door System is an ideal solution...

WFM: Please brief us on the history and objective behind the formation of your company - Global Aluminium. Anil Agarwal (AA): Global Aluminium (P) Ltd was started in the year 1996 with a clear vision and commitment to change the Aluminium extrusion industry from one that sells to one that serves. It started with an Idea to give less importance to revenues and profits but more to quality and service for which today it has become very well-reputed. We started with one press of 1000. M.T. and gradually expanded to 5 extrusion presses catering to the needs of engineering, industrial, electrical, defence etc. Global has expertise on the making of extrusions ranging from 1xxx to 7xxx series alloys and has a well-established name among its clientele and general market. In the year 2010, we entered the field of architecture through marketing, finding out needs and viability and discovered that this...

Minimalistic and simplistic façade design incorporated with façade systems which are current and energy efficient are paramount factors when dealing with residences. The integrated design approach of combining both aesthetics and functionality helps in developing the architectural form and give rise to an “intelligent skin”. Design firms create SVAGRIHA rating awareness by practically executing Green construction practices in façade designs. Effective façade systems and techniques have been used in the independent residential project called ‘Green One’ to achieve a 5 star TERI GRIHA rating, first of its kind in India. The most basic and essential façade design aspects that affect the interior living quality that have been taken care of are: Natural ventilation Natural lighting Solar control Strategic massing is vital and is done to provide shade and maximise diffused lighting in the interior by staggering and stacking of the built form. The hard scaping is then reduced by adding...

First things first, I wish to make it clear that the views presented in this article are not influenced or biased in any way by me being a stakeholder in the glass facade industry. Yes, my profession as a glass supplier did motivate me to pen (rather type!) this down but my aim here is to present, as objectively as possible, the reasons why glass is being used as ubiquitously as we see today, and whether or not we are right in doing so. This article focuses on three key aspects of a glass facade - day lighting, energy and safety - and in the process analyses its effects, its benefits, the problems arising from its use and tools to help overcome some of these problems. For ease of understanding and to maintain focus on the core topic of this discussion, I have overlooked the regulatory requirements of glass facades...

Ricky Doshi (G.D Arch, M.Arch (USA), C.O.A) is the Founder & CEO of ARD Studio - an architectural firm founded in August 2013. ARD Studio had initially started as a sidearm M/S Doshi Associates, a 30-year-old film in the field of Architecture & Interior Design (primarily) headed by his father, Ar. Bakul Doshi. Ricky Doshi completed his under graduation from L.S. Raheja School of Architecture in 2008. He began his career as a Junior Architect with Hafeez Contractor & Associates. He pursued his Masters from Savannah College of Arts & Design (SCAD) University, USA. He then worked with New York Design Architects LLP a year. Coming back to India, he worked with renowned architect Reza Kabul as an Associate Architect where his designing skills shone.

Festivity - Celebration - Networking was the buzzword at the Festival of Architecture & Interior Designing 2016. FOAID successfully completed its 3rd & 4th edition covering Mumbai & New Delhi respectively. The forum acted as a platform for a large number of architects, interior designers, design consultants, students & builders across India to Learn- Network- Share their creative experiences. The event saw more than 150 eminent speakers, over 700 delegates and 4000 creative minds attended the show at Delhi and Mumbai. The concurrent events at FOAID had a lot to offer like the National Conference which saw over 20 inspiring presentations by eminent Speakers and 12 thought-provoking panel discussions by stalwarts sharing their rich experiences. The short & unique concept of D-Talks gave a varied flavor where presenters spoke on the topic inspiring innovation and shared their perspective on innovation. Design Arena broadened its horizon by displaying built, unbuilt Indian...

THE BEST ITALIAN STYLE AND FULL-SERVICE SOLUTION FOR MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS. Nexion is a brand created by Speranza Group, a Italian leading manufacturer of ceramic surfaces, and Simpolo Vitrified, one of the top Indian ceramics and sanitary fitting producers. Nexion creates a bridge between Italy and India, by offering ceramic surfaces and design solutions of impeccable quality, designed entirely in Italy and produced in India in its brand-new plant, using the very latest Italian technologies. With the Architecture Division, Nexion assumes the role of a full-service provider, capable of assisting the customer from the very earliest design phases to installation and certification. Today Nexion is the only Indian producer and supplier of the whole facade ( skin and structure). Nexion Design and Performance TWO MANUFACTURERS OF EXCELLENCE TO ENSURE BUILDINGS’ STYLISTIC AND PHYSICAL QUALITY Ventilated facades are created by cladding the outsides of buildings with ceramic materials and they provide...

Mahatma Gandhi once famously remarked, ‘Mother Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed’. Do you know that at the rate of destruction that we are in today, there won’t be any trees left for Koala bears to cling on, no forest for elephants to graze, no ice caps for polar bears to stretch, and the penguins and seals would go homeless. Yes, such is the damage we are causing the earth! At our rate of consumption, several natural resources are fast depleting. We see states already fighting for water. Trains with water had to be sent to Latur in Maharashtra to provide some relief for the drought affected. The fragile ecological balance is being abused. Modernization of living spaces coupled with growing demand for office spaces, due to the steep growth in service industry has led to increase in energy consumption, and higher usage...

The site for the project Bajaj Bhavan is located in the heart of the vibrant city of Lucknow, The city of Nawabs. The infrastructure of the city is developing at a great pace and it is now home to many eye catching architecture. Curtain Wall System The building consists of two type of double glazed soft-coat high performance glass: 6-15-6 IGU: 6mm tempered glass + 15mm air gap with Argon gas + 6mm tempered glass (Coating on face 3). 6-15-6 IGU: 6mm tempered glass (with design ceramic frit on face 2) + 15mm air gap with Argon gas + 6mm tempered glass (Coating on face 3). The glass is fixed using aluminium extruded profiles with pressure plate and cover plate. The façade of Bajaj Bhavan is designed according to wind pressure analysis reports. Characteristics of Glass The chosen glass is the most advanced way to achieve that delicate balance between...

  Espree Realtors wanted an eye-catching façade - one that was radical in appearance. Niranjan Kataria, (Partner-Espree Realtors) wanted Architect Neelesh Chopda of Onus Design to think out-of-the-box. In his brief, he was clear that the façade had to be the identity of his commercial building. After much thought the architects concluded on a flamboyant red façade. The Location   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="392"] Aluminium sheets on CNC Turret Punch Press Bed[/caption] The affluent boat club area has always been upper crust and is synonymous with the glitz of glamour - a high profile residential and commercial hub. The street, dominantly lined by boutiques and showrooms, was the premier cerebration of conceiving the design idea. The project required to be glamorous and exhibit an attitude. It is designed in compliance to the targeted end users which are jewellers, brand stores and corporate houses. It needed to portray a sense of...

WFM: Are you doing any project in India? Jürgen Mayer H. (JMH): We are doing a project in India in collaboration with Mumbai-based architectural firm - Collaborative Architecture, headed by Architects Mujib Ahmed and Laita Tharani. We shall reveal the details of the project later. Intense discussions are going on for finalization of this Indian projects. I have travelled to India 5 times and have seen many projects here. My trips were always very interesting and exciting and I look forward to work here in India. WFM: Could you please tell me about your ongoing projects? Jürgen Mayer H. (JMH): We do projects from very small scale ventures to large scale projects. Large scale projects include high rise buildings, especially those done in Germany. All these projects have relationship with the skyline, their elevation and the urban fabric around them and they activate downtown parts. All these projects are very...

The design and structural performance of laminated glass in overhead glazing applications like canopies and skylights is very critical as it has an impact on the safety of occupants of a building and its maintenance workers. For such applications, the post-breakage strength of laminated glass construction is of utmost importance. Pre-breakage strength can be predicted with reasonable accuracy by FEM technique (Finite Element Method) based software packages, which allows the user to input mechanical properties of viscoelastic inter layers along with glass. This helps in inter-layer-based differentiation of pre-breakage structural strength and design optimization. However, the post-breakage strength of glass is still a little-known area as analytical models for this are inconclusive so far and thus destructive testing is the only reliable solution. This article will present impact and load testing, simulating the accidental fall of a maintenance worker. It was done to assess the “fall through” resistance of point...

  WFM: Please brief on the importance of right hardware for windows? Atul Anand (AA): A window is basically made up of glass, profiles, gaskets and hardware. In some countries there are safety standards that the windows should meet - for example in Germany they have the safety standards RC1, RC2, RC3 etc. Hardware is used to create multi point locking which makes the windows safe and to meet such standards. It is through the hardware that correct gasket compression is controlled. It ensures that the sash has the right pressure so that the window is sealed and yet compression WFM: s not so much that it affects the life of the gasket. In case the window is not sealed properly, there will be air, sound and water leakages.   WFM: What are the criteria for selection of architectural hardware for facades and fenestrations? Atul Anand (AA): There are various...