Please tell us about the growth of the architectural hardware industry in India. There has been consistent growth in the Architectural hardware industry in India. We now have a wide variety of hardware solutions from indigenous and overseas companies. There is an increased awareness of performance parameters and the trend is now for performance and system-based applications. There is also a growing awareness of automation systems. [caption id="attachment_49457" align="alignleft" width="300"] Panic exit doors with door controls[/caption] Do you think that the organised architectural hardware market is growing on the back of customer demand? Yes, with system solutions gaining wider acceptance and also on account of performance aspects of these systems. There is a growing market for organised architectural hardware solutions. Tell us about the challenges and roadblocks in the Architectural Hardware industry. The regulatory aspects are still being updated, there needs to be a consistent industry-wide focus on the upgradation...

Architectural hardware has become an important aspect of design - be it façades, doors, or windows. 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 tinted glasses and bulky hardware to hold them. The trend for buildings is towards more transparency over the past few decades. This story covers the latest trends in architectural hardware, important aspects to consider while choosing architectural hardware, standardisation of window and door hardware systems, key safety parameters to look for while specifying hardware, and quality vs. the cost of architectural hardware. We spoke to many architects and façade consultants regarding these topics. Here are their...

More than ever, modern building projects can benefit from the use of certified products, writes Daniel May, Director of Consort Architectural Hardware. The needs of modern building environments have evolved. Throughout the construction process, decision makers are more commonly deliberating on themes such as innovation, accessibility and sustainability. And that’s not mentioning the renewed focus on building safety and performance, succeeding heightened concerns. [caption id="attachment_49207" align="alignleft" width="181"] Glass hardware: Along the supply chain, the durability of hardware products is the key[/caption] As the collective commitment towards these topics grows, it is as vital as ever for design professionals to deliver reliable, quality materials and hardware on their projects. Architectural hardware, for example, is one of the most heavily used elements within a building environment, and a typical busy door can be used 150 times each day. Door hardware plays a pivotal role in a building’s operational network and its fire...

Case 1: Research and Development Facility for Jazeera Paints, Saudi Arabia Jazeera Paints is a leading paint company founded in Saudi Arabia in 1979. The client brief was to create a Modern Research and Development facility, one that sets a benchmark for future projects by establishing itself as a landmark for Jazeera Paints, its ethos, and future goals. The 35,000 sq.ft. G+ 1 facility aims to be an inspiring workplace for paint scientists, industrial engineers, and developers. The purpose of this facility is to consolidate the research, testing, and exhibition of Jazeera Paints into a single space and create a highly functional, flexible, enjoyable, and collaborative work environment. Site Context: [caption id="attachment_49081" align="alignleft" width="401"] Exhibition area[/caption] ARCHITECTURE - The site located in an industrial neighborhood is situated in a province that is home to a UNESCO world heritage site “Rijal Almaa’’. The typical South-Arabian vernacular architecture here is charming and...

An exclusive interview with Phil Schneider Head - Sales EMEA, Vector Foiltec Group sharing about their journey, the products they offer in the market, the benefits of their products, and so on… Please brief us on the history and objective behind the formation of your company. With transparent roofs and façades made of Texlon® ETFE (Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), the company Vector Foiltec has made a major contribution to setting new standards in recent architecture. As the world market leader in architectural foil construction and inventor of the Texlon® ETFE system, we have already completed over 1,700 international projects. Our system shapes stadia constructions, atria, shopping centres, zoos and garden parks, public buildings, swimming pools, schools, and universities all over the world. [caption id="attachment_49002" align="alignright" width="300"] Manyata Embassy Business Park Image courtesy: Vector Foiltec[/caption] Please highlight briefly your products. Our technology of fluoropolymer foils can be processed in a variety of ways....

One of the most vulnerable aspects of building design is the façade. Because the majority of the populace is unaware of the material’s performance, they frequently misunderstand the importance of façade design, particularly in limiting or spreading fire spread. Fire safety has traditionally been overlooked in favour of beauty, energy efficiency, cost, and other factors. However, in light of current market trends, this has progressed beyond only the aesthetic aspect and now plays a larger role in light conveyance, acoustical execution, and efficacy. [caption id="attachment_48393" align="alignright" width="113"] Mayank Sharma Market Development Manager - Façade & Airside (Asia-Pacific), Knauf Insulation APACq[/caption] It is about the universal understanding of the reality that any possible fire threats can only be mitigated when façade systems, materials, and testing are given the attention they deserve. The emphasis should be on a comprehensive approach to examining the performance of façade materials, components of façade design for...

A façade is the most striking elevational feature of a building. A good play of volume, scale, light, and shadow constitutes an impressionable façade design. The façade is an architectural element that enhances the visual aesthetics and indoor environment of the structure. With the advancements in science and technology, modern-day architects have been experimental with façade designing. New materials and computational software have made it easier to explore new façade design concepts. [caption id="attachment_48254" align="alignleft" width="400"] Jali building façade[/caption] Glass-cladding façades have been a long-standing choice for elevating building elevations. However, the suitability of glass in the tropical weather of India has been questioned because of its heat-absorbing and light-reflective properties. The excessive use of glass in façade designs created the urban heat island effect. A glass façade traps and reflects heat thereby impacting the micro-climate and increasing local temperatures. Hence, glass façade buildings consume more energy to support ventilation...

A building façade is an elegant component and the final realization of the architect’s creative vision that plays a huge factor in defining the unique architectural aesthetics of the building. Understanding the latest trend data around facade design helps us in creating a comfortable, healthy, secure, and safe environment. After COVID, people have come to realize the value of homes as so much time was spent in them, and in the coming year, people are still expected to spend some more time in their homes, which has influenced design in varied ways. Desiring for open space and nature has led architects and designers to find new and creative ways to combine sustainable materials for energy efficiency by incorporating high-quality insulated facade design, alongside durable exterior elements like steel panel and siding that offer the required energy performance and produce a great experience for users. There is a wide choice of...

Façades are without a doubt the most important building element from the perspective of both users and architects. In fact, they are the most difficult to design as well, because their responsiveness is based on variables that are difficult to predict and generate in each design that includes social aspects, geography, climatology, and, of course, sustainability, and material costs, etc. During the past few years, an incredible number of creative building and façade materials have been developed and introduced. Most of these advances guarantee huge upgrades in energy productivity and occupants’ comfort, with easy availability in the market. What are the current trends indicating the likely direction of the façade in the coming decades? What do industry experts think about future façades, the preferred materials, the technologies, and materials that can be seen in coming years? Read it here in this cover story. Important Tools for Creating Future Façades [caption...

Tell us about your practice and design approach? Designing means looking ahead. For me, giving life to new works means offering the world the tools to make life better and taking on the responsibilities that each work includes, even after the end of the standard life cycle. Giving life to buildings, residences, furniture, and objects means creating ways of communicating with the world, unique, synesthetic works that put man at the centre of the scene, involving all his senses. What inspired you to become an architect? Passion has guided me in every step of my career and is still what lights up my enthusiasm, and animates my desire to do, discover, travel and design. I graduated from the Faculty of Architecture in Florence, a university rich in history, culture, and beauty, in one of the most fascinating cities in the world. During my journey, I met great masters who helped...

Influence of BIM on Building and Façade Design The process of BIM supports the creation of intelligent data that can be used throughout the lifecycle of a building or infrastructure project. The benefits of BIM are through connecting teams, workflows, and data across the entire project lifecycle - from design and engineering to construction and operations - to realize better ways of working and better outcomes. BIM allows all players from key building development disciplines - including design, fabrication, manufacturing, and installation to optimize the art of façade design, improve profitability and productivity while adhering to complex engineering principles. Implementation of BIM Into the Design Process [caption id="attachment_46016" align="alignright" width="274"] .[/caption] Architectural façades or architectural envelopes are one of the most exciting and innovative concepts in building design, and historically one of the most challenging. Today, BIM has become central to façade design. One of the key changes that have...

Façades during the olden days were only an architectural building cover. Those beautiful architectural building covers became the eye-catcher in the course of any fire incident. Those façade elements had such chemical characteristics which contributed severely to the high Intense and fast propagating external fire. Such characteristics of those façade elements created a necessity for designing the fire-safe façade. Modern Fire-safe Façade Designs and Fire Tests Façades, nowadays are designed considering the importance of limiting the external fire propagation. Passive firestop systems are intermingled with façade designs to achieve minimal fire spread. Materials specified to be used on the external façade are being carefully chosen considering their fire performance characteristics. Fire tests according to various standards are adopted for testing the materials to find out its characteristics such as ‘Reaction to ’ and ‘Resistance to fire’. The development and introduction of new Fire-safe products in the market that are suitable...

Construction is a vital sector in architecture. Many sites have opened while observing strict safety protocols, and this has kept consultants and contractors busy despite the challenging months. Nevertheless, crises and opportunities seem to have had a massive impact on the façade and fenestration sector compared to real estate. Due to the effects of COVID-19, the façade and fenestration industry faced challenges like shortages of liquidity, materials, labor, etc. As a result, many upcoming projects were halted due to the recession. The cost of products, materials & labor has also increased dramatically. Although the demand for façade materials may have decreased due to cost constraints, things seem to be finally getting back on track. [caption id="attachment_45649" align="alignright" width="300"] Glass has transformed modern architecture, allowing people to enjoy panoramic views[/caption] Glass has transformed modern architecture, allowing people to enjoy panoramic views. Flat glass is widely used in industrial settings for numerous...

Glass & fenestration industry has seen significant growth in the last two decades especially in terms of usage of high-performance glasses due to an increase in awareness. Government initiative towards sustainability has also resulted in increased demand for high-performance glass products. High-performance glasses are those glasses that have the functional ability to reduce heat ingress and at the same time, they allow optimum lighting inside the building, resulting in the reduction of energy usage in a building by reducing cooling and lighting load. [caption id="attachment_45344" align="alignright" width="217"] KK Tower, Noida upgraded their office façade with AIS Glass[/caption] Following are the key driving factors for the glass industry: • Per capita glass consumption in India is just 1.9 Kg as compared to the global average of 7 Kg per person per year. It indicates that the industry is ripe for growth and it will fuel the growth in Tier II &...

With the inception of the latest technologies and different materials along with attractive finishes, the architectural hardware for the doors and windows industry in India is witnessing a new wind of change. [caption id="attachment_45232" align="alignright" width="150"] RAJU BANERJEETechnical Head, McCoy 8M[/caption] The presence of several international and domestic hardware products in the market provides a variety of choices for consumers. One can get good quality, functional hardware at a reasonable price. However, a market pervaded with fierce competition between brands, coupled with a lack of information/ awareness on prices, authenticity, tests, standardization, etc., can create confusion while choosing the right hardware for your project. The right choice of architectural hardware is one of the key elements to the success of a project. Most of us are not very familiar with the significance and properties of architectural hardware used. WFM Media discussed the market trends, latest technologies, and materials available in...

Natural light is crucial to the health and well-being of building occupants. However, it can also be a source of glare and visual discomfort. DIFFERENT SOURCES OF DAYLIGHT GLARE IN BUILDINGS Daylight glare in our buildings can be caused by different sources: [caption id="attachment_44999" align="alignright" width="217"] Tombola, Sunderland, UK. Dynamic glass tints in response to the sun’s path[/caption] • Direct view of the sun or the sky when it’s very bright through windows • Sunlight reflected from windows onto neighboring buildings, the ground (e.g. snow), or water • Reflections of daylight on screens (e.g. computers, projector screens, notice boards) or other work surfaces. They cause a decrease in the contrast between the visual task and the immediate surroundings, a phenomenon also known as “veiling glare”. • Reflections of daylight on any shiny or reflective surface in the space directly facing the observer’s eye • Major contrast between direct or indirect...