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....

Developing the most prestigious buildings in south India, from UB City to Shantiniketan, from the Golfshire to the Polygon, Prestige group is the uncrowned king, at the helm of the real estate development scenario of Bangalore and other parts of South India. Known to rule the high end as well as the mass-scale residential developments with the same aplomb, Prestige group became the real game changer in the retail segment also when they built the first ever mall that the southern part of India ever saw – The Forum Read along as Mr. GOPAL V. – Executive Director of the Prestige group, talks about the journey, the vision, the challenges and the dreams, which set the developer on a paramount pedestal. WFM: Mr. Gopal, could you please give us a little background about yourself and how long have you been with Prestige? Gopal (Executive Director, Prestige group): I am a...

“A great leader's courage to fulfil his vision comes from passion & not position. With a legacy of over 45 years of excellence in architecture, PG Patki Associates continues to instil the creative spirit in their designs. Started by the late Mr PG Patki, the practice is one of the front runners in the country with a number of prestigious projects to their credit. Carrying forward this legacy of distinction, Mr S P Patki is now at the helm of PG Patki associates. With an azimuth zeal and passion towards the job, this spirit flows over to the whole team of P G Patki Architects. Mr Patki maintains: “It is not always about superficiality, for even iconic ones can be huge architectural failures. It is a balancing act where detail, character and fundamentals are not compromised, where structure reflects the mark of the individual; the soul behind it” In awe...

Event Location: Zak World of Façades returned to Bengaluru on 21st February 2014 at ITC Gardenia [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="340"] Diwakar Chintala, Design Director, Gensler[/caption] After six highly encouraging and successful editions around India, the 7th edition of Zak World of Façades returned to Bengaluru on 21st February 2014 at ITC Gardenia, with a zest for continued innovation in the façade technology. The conference became an exhilarating affair with new speakers, topics and products that relayed the burning torch of bringing about the façade revolution, initiated 18 months ago in the same city of Bangalore. About 315 representatives from architects, builders, façade consultants, contractors and others from the façade & fenestration fraternity were present throughout the four sessions. Each session revolved around different themes. The morning session commenced with an informative and picturesque presentation on “facades – more than skin deep” by Diwakar Chintala who’s the Design Director at Gensler....