Ethylene-Tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) is one of the trending innovative cladding materials in the market which is known primarily through iconic projects such as Eden in Cornwall UK, Allianz Arena Stadium in Munich and National Aquatic Centre a.k.a. Watercube in Beijing. Being very thin, lightweight and when used in air-filled cushion systems its enormous strength and a range of adaptive environmental attributes render ETFE a very creative solution to many projects. ETFE has been known since the 1940s, which was an accidental spin-off of man-made fluoropolymer during DuPont's research program to develop an insulation material for industrial machinery that was resistant to friction and abrasion, immune to radiation and effective at both extremely high and low temperatures. Until 1970 it was not commercialized after which it was used in a wide range of applications in the petroleum, automotive, aerospace and nuclear industries. The first architectural use of ETFE was done in...

Since the time immemorial there have been endless discussions and debates on the system to be used for doors and windows in a building – Commercial /residential / so on and so forth. Initially wood has been the architectural favorite. The warmth, the colour, the grain, in short simply the life a wooden window brings to a window opening is remarkable and unmatched. But, it comes with its own limitations. Its sensitivity to harsh climatic conditions, its proneness to various degradation factors vis-à-vis moisture, salty air, woodworms, and adverse environmental effects of timber harvesting led to the exploration of various alternative materials. Then arrived aluminium. Fast forward a few years, another technological advancement called uPVC windows. Along with this commenced the unending battle of Systems. Try searching the ‘Google’ master for aluminium and/or PVC and like a skilled magician he takes out 16500 results in mere .34 seconds from under...

In architecture, the facade of a building is often the most important aspect from a design standpoint, as it sets the tone for the rest of the building. From the engineering perspective of a building, the facade is also of great importance due to its impact on energy efficiency and functionality of the building. Internationally, the trend of façade lighting is catching up fast. the number of buildings that have illuminated façades is increasing sharply. People find the nightscapes around them created by illuminated building façades. These façades facilitate orientation, convey messages, communicate emotions and create attention. Illuminated building façade creates an added value to the building and has an architectural and economic merit by making the location more beautiful. It shows off the building in a right light, literally, and brings across a positive corporate image. However, pertaining to architectural, social and technological changes, lighting design demands an enormous...

“The art is at one’s surface and symbol; those who go beneath the surface do so at their own peril” ~ Oscar Wilde Introduction The surface is seen, the surface is perceived, and the surface defines the aesthetic impression of the object. The aesthetic experience of a fenestration object is an interlinked and inseparable union of the sensory and contemplative responses. Illuminating the modern surface condition, façades are becoming virtual screens reinventing the art of projection. While the surface of a façade is defined by glass and framing material together with cladding if any, this article’s prime focus is to delve into the various possibilities of surface finishes available for aluminium and uPVC – so far the most popular choice of materials for window and façade frames. Definition: Surface finishing is the process of enhancing the properties of aluminium in all its forms to give it a decorative visual appearance,...

Introduction to Natural Ventilation: Ventilation in a building is a very important and crucial factor that ensures hygiene for its occupants and at the same time, provide comfortable and an ideal controlled ambiance. The Invention of Ventilation, ‘Natural Ventilation’ to be more precise, cannot be ascribed to a certain date. The first attempt on ventilation was made as early as the stone-age period of pre-historic times, when man used fire to produce heat for preparing food and to keep predators away. In this process, he discovered the need to have an opening in the roof of their caves to let out the smoke and simultaneously to supply air to keep the fire burning. The warm temperature out of the fire, along with ventilation in roof top, created a comfortable ambiance for the stone-age man living in caves. The concept of ventilation can be seen very predominantly in the ancient buildings...

With over 12 years’ extensive experience in architectural façade industry, Ayca Ozcanlor is the senior façade consultant at Arup, Singapore. Her expertise lies in designing various façade systems. Ayca Ozcanlor is involved in several major projects in Singapore, India, China, Romania, Germany, Israel and Turkey and is working with renowned architects, developers and specialist façade contractors. With her in depth knowledge and eye to catch innovation, she wrote this feature on ETFE façade material for Window and Façade Magazine.

Event Location: Glass Wall Systems, Hotel ITC Grand, Mumbai on 1st of August Glass Wall Systems announced the opening of a new design studio at Marathon Max, Lower Parel, Mumbai and a brand new manufacturing facility at a gala dinner hosted by the promoters in Hotel ITC Grand, Mumbai on 1st of August. With the influx of fresh funds, market looking upwards and a strong back up of new and existing orders, there is only upward swing for the façade major. An unabashed show of self-sufficiency was all that it needs to boost the sinking spirits of the market plagued by uncertainties since long. The event witnessed a power-packed guest list comprising of the who’s who of the Indian construction industry. Raman Sapru from Oberoi Constructions, Rahul Saraf from Forum Group, Hemant Shah from Ackruti Group, Jimmy Gandhi from Lodha, John Guest from Omkar Developers, HasmukhUpadhyay from Wadhwa Group, Vivek...

What is a window treatment? With a primary goal of enhancing the aesthetics of a window in a building, the window treatment is a non-architectural element placed on, in, around or over a window. Often the main goal of the window decoration is to beautify the window & the room and to secure privacy. Treatments for covering the window may include: Hard treatments – Hard window treatments are made of hard materials like wood or vinyl. Soft Treatment – anything made up of soft materials comes under the category of soft treatments like the curtains and the draperies. Window shutters: These are usually installed onto the window frame and are horizontal slats, made either of wood or a poly resin that can either be stationary or may have a tilt. They do not move up and down like blinds but in certain applications can fold across the window. Types of...

An Iconic, large, free flowing space being built at the ground floor of J W Marriott hotel in Kolkata is an epitome of technology. The Diagrid, coming up at the entrance lobby, is a triple height structure and on completion, it would be an architectural marvel. Free flowing space is enclosed with a mesh of rectangular tubes (Diagrid) which is glazed with laminated double glass units. The intent of the designers is to have a minimalistic support frame for the entire 2000 sq m of the Diagrid façade, hence there is no structural member supporting this façade. While the span is very large yet the intent was to have as less frame element as possible with a very high performance and acoustic insulated façade. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="340"] The complex structure of the diagrid[/caption] For the façade contractors Glasswall systems, diagrid project for J W Marriot was a challenging project,...

uPVC windows are no longer the novelty these days as more and more companies are coming and generating awareness about its benefits for the consumer. At WFM we have discussed at length the product and how it co-exists and often even outperforms the conventional aluminium and wood windows. As the market is evolving and the consumer is getting more inquisitive, there has been an onslaught of national and international brands entering and serving this ever-growing market. While there are various brands present, there’s one brand that we all recognise with much ado. Kommerling India is a success story internationally that has been running over more than 100 years. Kommerling is a brand with tradition under the huge umbrella of Profine Group. The company was established as a trading organisation in 1897 by Karl Kommerling. The company started the production of PVC roller shutters in 1957, and the extrusion of window...

An architectural practice with focus on creating spaces that exist in equilibrium with their surroundings, at Studio Symbiosis elements of program, site, context, landscape and climate are studied and interfaced, thereby resulting in the amalgamation of these considerations in one coherent design. Bringing out their aesthetic best, Ar. Amit Gupta and Ar. Britta Knobel Gupta, along with their collaborative partner Ar. Vandana Sehgal designed this upcoming hotel in Ahmedabad which is yet to be titled. The uniqueness of the project comes from its concept where the built harmonizes seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. This is an inherent part of the façade design process whereby a feedback loop is established that constantly updates the formal language of the project thereby embedding environmental sustainability in the form itself. Design Challenges: Seamless waves flowing on the landscape and continuing onto the façade were the focal point of the design proposal for this full...

Project by Merge Studio, New York Led by Varun Kohli, Principal at Merge Studio, the team has created a rigorous process of such integration process where environmental analysis, financial feasibility and other parameters are assessed in tandem with the design process, thus allowing them to solve varying problems and often creating opportunities from initially perceived constraints. For architects of the 21st century, it is impossible to ignore the significance of building envelope design in most sizable projects. It is significant aesthetically as the primary visual element of the building, but more importantly, it is essential in negotiating the transfer of energies between the exterior micro-climatic and interior comfort environments. In addition to aesthetic and environmental considerations, the building envelope design must also address pragmatic issues of maintenance and safety whilst responding to market conditions such as financial feasibility, constructability and material availability. Creative design resolutions for such variable parameters can...

Introduction: Located in a typical hot dry climate, 20 kilometers further from Jaipur, Pearl Academy of Fashion, boasts of a radical architecture that emerges from a fusion of the rich traditional building knowledge bank and cutting edge contemporary architecture. Various passive environment control methods have been incorporated in the design to reduce the dependence on mechanical methods due to the inherent budgetary constraints and the need to combat the adverse climate. Adaptations of traditional Indo-Islamic architectural elements and passive cooling strategies such as open courtyards, water body, a step-well or baoli and jaalis (perforated stone screen) have been incorporated giving the building a distinct feel of ancient-modern confluence. The Façade: The building is protected from the environment by a double skin façade, which is derived from a traditional building element called the ‘Jaali’ that can be found in abundance in traditional Rajasthani architecture. The double skin acts as a thermal...

The history of city of Delhi has seen it being built, ransacked and then rebuilt a number of times. The city boasts of being equally modern as it is ancient with iconic modern landmarks dotting its landscape amidst the ancient historical ones. Looking at modern architectural landmarks, one name that can be associated with a large number of them, invariably, is Alkarma. Be it Vikas Minar at ITO or India Habitat Centre on Lodhi Road, the firm has manufactured and installed windows at these buildings and continues to be one of the most reputed façade manufacturing in this part of the country. WFM speaks to Sandeep Chowdhry, Managing Partner at Alkarma and Managing Director at Durable Windows(a sister concern of Alkarma ), a man of fine taste and impeccable discipline in whatever he undertakes, as he relates various anecdotes along his exciting journey at Alkarma. Following are the excerpts –...

In an exclusive round of question and answer with WFM Mr. Varghese talks about the window and façade industry, his choices and the uphill journey of Sobha Group Following are the excerpts - WFM: Please tell the readers how you got into the PV Varghese: I was working in Dubai for a construction company taking care of their cladding division when I got a call from Sobha Group. Mr. PNC Menon interviewed me and shared his vision of setting up a glazing and metal works division for Sobha  Group as a part of their backward integration initiative. The association worked out and I moved to Bangalore to set up the same. Since then I have been part of the illustrious Sobha group. WFM: So this division only does projects for Sobha’s in-house projects or have you diversified to other avenues? PV Varghese: Actually not. In fact only 15-20% of SGMW...

“Mighty spirited in progressing from a 2 member team setup, in a small rental office premises to a team of 230 highly talented group of Architects, Interior Designers, Engineers and Professionals in a spacious office premises of 50,000 sq. ft. floor space. He has recently received several prestigious awards and recognition in multiple categories, HSBC Sponsored International Asia Pacific Property Awards 2012, Bloomberg Property Awards 2012 for best residential high-rise design in the world, CNBC Award: Best In Ultra Luxury Segment 2013, Artists in Concrete Awards Asia Fest: 2013-14 for best Educational Institute Design where his work was selected from amongst the top architects of the country. Felicitation by The Times of India followed by four-page coverage to celebrate the Architectural brilliance of Ar. Vivek Bhole and his contribution to transforming the Mumbai skyline is another feather in the cap.” Let us just go through the success mantra of Mr....