‘Integrative’ is the most popular word of this era on a sustainable platform. Be it in any process, function, application, etc., everything is said to be integrative. Owed on a large scale to the construction industry, this is currently a necessity. The participation of people from various sectors is mounting and the approach has to be integrative – a proper collaboration and coordination of all. Even when talking about the façade, it has to be an integrative approach to design, as the façade envelops the building and all of its functions (Figure 1). The façade is a major contributor to the overall energy consumption, daylight and well-being of the occupant. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="286"] Double-skin façade[/caption] The building is not just an envelope to protect us from natural occurrences but a filter that will enhance what is desired and reduce what is unwanted. The initial conceptual design phase should be...

Since inception, the primary function of buildings was to provide shelter and protection from the environment. As time passed, lifestyle changed and so did architecture where the original concept of providing shelter transformed into providing comfortable indoor ambiance. During this transition, building façades have gone through a lot of changes and modifications. The building façades remain one of the most important exterior components for building functionality. Apart from just aesthetic point, it also has a critical role related to energy performance and interior functioning of a building. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="260"] A hotel in Mumbai - achieved energy efficiency and optimum daylighting by controlling floor to window ratio, using recessed windows for solar shading and high performance clear glass[/caption] In case of a window, the basic objective is to admit daylight in a building and also provide view to the user. As quoted “a window that admits sunlight for winter...

Energy Conservation has gained momentum in recent years. The increasing demand for energy efficiency has influenced the technical development of right construction methodology and usage of right products for façades and windows. Nowadays advanced and technically superior innovative solutions are available which are cost effective and facilitate greener buildings with a low carbon footprint. On an average depending upon the location in the world, it is observed that buildings consume more than 30 – 40 per cent of energy. In extreme cold and hot regions this consumption may go more than 40 per cent as well. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="364"] Air Tightness and Insulation[/caption] Windows and façades are few of the most important factors while considering the overall energy efficiency of a building. Therefore the requirement and selection of right construction methodology and right products is very important and it helps in achieving the overall performance. Special type of products...

The office for the architectural firm ‘Abhikalpan Architects Pvt. Ltd’ at Indore features a unique double-glazed façade unit fixed with spider fittings, unlike the conventional DGU fixings, which is affixed within frames earlier. Expanding a small office of 1500 Sq ft, beyond the borders of its room was a major concept while planning this building. The indigenous customized detailing makes the façade a proper combination of delicate and strong materials. The installation of the glass on the façade reduces the operational cost of the building for the future. Design Evolution: Utilizing the benefits of the orientation of each elevation, the design has evolved. Each façade is treated differently, to explore the opportunities to create an energy-efficient structure and to contribute to visual interests. Each glazed façade is treated differently, to explore the opportunities to create an energy-efficient structure North Façade The north façade has a customized glazed façade, which consists...

Zak World of Facades, 22nd April 2016, ITC Maratha Hotel, Mumbai After the stupendous success of the initial three seasons, the fourth season of the Zak World of Facades conference series kicked start in Mumbai on 22nd April at ITC Maratha, with an all-new emphasis on the National Building Code and an every pressing issue of the fire safety and the return on investment for facades. The one-day conference held at Hotel ITC Maratha, Mumbai, on 22nd April, saw a never-before gathering of some of the most prominent and appreciated names from the construction industry in India and abroad, sharing their expertise and experience in order to achieve the best façade execution practices. As the city’s buildings face some particular challenges with respect to providing sustainable accommodation and working abodes, façades play an irrefutable role in their functionality. Needless to say, this edition exhibited some of the finest facade products...

29th January 2016 The Gateway Hotel, Ernakulam, Kochi The 7th edition of ‘World of Windows’ was held on 29th January, at The Gateway Hotel, Ernakulam, Kochi. World of Windows by ZAK has always been the harbinger of technology and unprecedented networking opportunities for the fenestration industry. Continuing the endeavour, another successful conference culminated in the Port City of Kochi, Kerala. The 7th edition of ZAK World of Windows took place in the Ball Room of The Gateway Hotel by Taj, in the picturesque Marine Drive area of Ernakulam, Kochi, rendered yet another success story where delegates from the architect, developer, and window contractor fraternity attended and witnessed the enlightening presentations and interacted with the panellists during the discussion session. Windows are an integral part of timeless architecture, crucial in enhancing the functionality of the buildings. A typical fenestration component suffices the basic requirements of light and ventilation, but along the...

The Louis Vuitton Foundation is an art museum and cultural centre in the Bois de Boulogne overlooking the Jardin d’Acclimatation in Paris, France. The building was designed by Los Angeles-based architect Frank Gehry and was opened to the public in October 2014 after six years of construction. Foundation Louis Vuitton deploys SentryGlas® ionoplast interlayer and Dow Corning Silicone to float like a sailboat above the treeline of the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, showcasing one of the most fascinating glass roofs ever seen, with 12 unique, curved glass sails. Built at the behest of Bernard Arnault, a French businessman, art collector and chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LVMH, the Louis Vuitton Foundation building expands outwards from a central area into various galleries, referred to as chapels, with the whole structure covered by sails of white glass, inspired by the glass architecture of the end of the 19th century. Designed...

The Michael Schumacher World Champion Tower, Gurgaon was designed with racing, and more particularly Formula 1 as a strong inspiration and influence. The overall building form was designed with the aerodynamic curves and cutting edge features of a racing car, wrapped in a 3-dimensional metallic ‘ribbon’ which is reminiscent of the curves and chicanes of the many racetracks that Schumacher mastered. This striking emblem becomes a link between the two parcels of land divided by the road, physically joining tower with clubhouse, drop-off, Schumacher Museum and EWS. The Tower has other unusual features such as a cantilevered helicopter platform on the north side of the building, and a glass dome at the top of the building, inspired by the form of the Formula 1 cars raced by Michael Schumacher. The development includes a museum and cafe dedicated to Michael Schumacher, showcasing his legendary motor racing career which is ongoing. The...

Architectural Hardware With the entry of international systems, equipment and hardware firms, the Indian architectural hardware for façade and fenestration has also evolved over the years. Technology and its use have increased many folds giving precision to products with quality and sustenance. Along with the use of technology, design has also evolved over the years. Gone are the days of highly reflective glass, strip windows, and punched openings for high-end commercial facades… at least for now. The trend for buildings to have more transparency has been taking precedence in metropolitan areas over the past few decades. This has fueled the designer’s interest to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with lighter support structures, taller unsupported facades, and fewer hardware/connection points. One of these avenues for progressive design is the resurgence of the highly transparent facades. In this article, we shall discuss the hardware which permits such transparent...

Windows and doors in aluminium-wood AELLE-S 190 STH For those who want a durable material such as aluminium and at the same time want inside of their habitat natural wood interiors.The idea solution has a name: AELLE-S 190 STH. The Metra system that allows you to obtain frames large sliding through the use of frames compounds: the outer part consists of aluminium profiles, The internal part composed of solid natural wood. Ease of maintenance Maximum thermal and acoustic insulation Absence of architectural barriers Design of a high standard Inalterability and durability Resistence and structural stability Great comfort in smoothness Wide choice of finishes Locate wood window manufacturers in your area Fabricated in India by Mixx Windows Aluminium Systems for Architecture Curtain walls Windows and swing doors Windows and doors in Aluminium-Wood Windows and Sliding doors Engineered Burma Teak Wood – Alu systems Systems for balconies Verandas Shading system Photovoltaic applications Accessories...

  Turner, a North America-based international construction Services Company, is known for working in diverse markets undertaking complex projects. The company has more than 5,200 employees who work on more than 1,200 projects each year that vary from design/build to procurement services Face to Faceto building information modeling to lean construction. Turner Group´s project management consultancy, Turner International, completes 50 years of its global presence. The Company has been serving the Indian market since the last eight years and is involved in few major projects in Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat. [caption id="attachment_38402" align="alignright" width="192"] Mark A. Boyle (Senior Vice President & Chief Procurement Officer, Turner Construction Company)[/caption] WFM interviewed Abrar Sheriff (President & CEO, Turner International LLC), Jairam Panch (Managing Director of Turner India and Vice President of Turner International LLC, USA) and, Mark A. Boyle (Senior Vice President & Chief Procurement Officer, Turner Construction Company) at an event celebrating...

When you walk towards the majestic Oval Room at The Mansion, your eyes will undoubtedly stop at the striking bronze-shimmered glass panels enveloping this beautiful architecture. What started out as a wildly imaginative design concept, now stands as the country’s largest metal-incorporated glass façade. But there’s more to these glasses than their spectacular appearance - they also very effectively diffuse sunlight and provide a massive reduction in solar heat gain, two inherently important but often overlooked requirements in such free-standing structures. This case study elaborates on the design features of these glass panels and its journey from concept to reality. Hyatt Regency Delhi’s Oval Room at ‘The Mansion’ is its newest event space designed to host conferences, seminars, weddings and corporate meetings. Spread over 1,400 sq m, it is an opulent pillar-free space that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests with an open kitchen setup that translates Panelslive cooking into...

Audaciously sculptural or pared down pristine. India’s great feats of architectural ingenuity are pushing the field in bold new directions. Designing energy-efficient terminals that have a long-lasting effect on the environment and passengers alike is the definition for new-age terminal designs. Creative Group, one of the leading Architecture and Engineering Consultancy firms in India, has demonstrated that large expansive public concourse within an airport terminal assists to alleviate a passenger’s sense of being crowded while still accommodating the flow of arrival, departing and connecting passengers. Extensively designed facades within the spaces of Airports in Chennai, Raipur, Goa and Vaodadara are thought products Design of a sustainable endeavour by the design team. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="350"] Raipur Airport designed by Creative Group[/caption] “The facades that we have designed for all these airports allow natural light to filter through the skin of the terminal thus providing passengers the delight of experiencing exterior...

Bangalore Protech collaborated with one of India’s leading architectural firms based in Bangalore, Gayathri & Namith Architects (GNA) to deliver to the Educational community a world class building which is the cutting edge of design. To meet Navodaya Education Trust’s requirement that its state-of-the-art building be highly appealing and well as conform to the latest green building standards, The design for the facade was conceived keeping in mind the climatic conditions of Raichur which are hot and dry. The aim was to achieve energy efficiency while maintaining the use of natural light and views that were integral to the design. The constraining parameters that were taken into account in the early design stage were: Climate (solar radiation, outdoor temperature) Site and obstructions of the building (latitude, daylight availability, atmospheric conditions, exterior obstructions, ground reflectance) Use of the building (operating hours, occupant’s tasks) Building and design regulations The façade system for...

With the advent of Global Warming, energy efficiency and conservation have become paramount factors when designing a building. A typical building contributes to 40 per cent of the total power consumption today. As an interface between indoors and outdoors, the façade plays a significant role in the definition of a building’s energy efficiency. By employing a rear ventilated facade, an energy concept can be developed for each building that takes into account the heating and cooling requirements of the building along with the perfect light quality inside it. What Exactly is a Rear Ventilated Façade? The rear ventilated façade is a multi-layer building façade system consisting of a rainscreen cladding on the outer layer in combination with a frame, weather-resistant membrane, insulation, sub frame and a ventilated cavity. (Image 1) A differential between the temperature on the face system of the cladding panel and the air cavity temperature creates a...

FunderMax India Pvt. Ltd. with HQ in Bangalore is a 100 percent subsidiary of Austria-based FunderMax, which has architectural products for exterior and interior applications. The company is a member of the Indian Green building Council and the products can also be used in constructing green buildings. FunderMax offers a wide range of exterior solutions (High Pressure Laminates) mainly used for façade and balcony cladding, besides others. It provides decorative cladding shield to buildings from wind, sun and rain. The products offered by FunderMax make it possible to change the appearance of a building in a wide variety of ways, from exciting Nature, Material, Metallic and vibrant Neon and Color decors to Digital Print Designs. The ventilation gaps provided between the panels enable the façade to work on the principle of rear ventilation façade system which, keeps humidity off the wall and adds to the energy efficiency of the building....