Renewable sources of energy such as sunlight provide opportunities for conservation of energy in various geographic areas. This type of energy coming from natural resources provides environment friendly energy. As the amount of reserves of fossil fuel decreases, production cost of fossil energy increases. On the other hand, with increase in world population consumption of fossil fuel endangers the environment with increased pollution and contributes to global warming. Increase in the amount of greenhouse gases is causing climate change. Solar energy is one of the cheapest and most available renewable energies. However, only 0.23 percent of the total world energy consumption is produced using solar energy.Solar window technology allows the balanced achievement of thermal comfort by heating air with renewable solar energy. This window system can be considered one of the most affordable solar technologies. Using solar radiation for heating the surface of an absorber, transferring the heat to the...

From very early on, man has been living outdoors and has evolved to need exposure to sunlight for our health and well-being. With the advent of architecture, man has sought means of replicating this natural light, and has developed artificial lighting to provide lighting on demand. Such invention has freed us from daylight dependence and has transformed the way we live and build. Today, we spend around 90 per cent of our time in enclosed spaces, lit with fluorescent light, because of which daylight harvesting has been progressively neglected. It is only recently that scientists have started to understand how light influences our body and mind. In addition to the cells that contribute to the formation of images, our eyes also contains cells responsible for the so-called “non-visual effects” of light. Those cells are light-sensitive and key for the regulation of several of our biological functions such as sleep, mood,...

Glass in architecture has been used in façades and as a construction material for many years. The invention of steel and plate glass in the late nineteenth century made possible an imaginative leap - the transparent steel framed enclosure - which underpinned the development of architecture in the twentieth century. Glass perhaps, is the only material that has seen continuous technological advancement since its first use as a building material. This is evident from the vast range of glasses now available to clad the buildings depending on the usage and budget. In this article, we present are view of today’s available architectural glass types as well as their characteristics and potential for future development of glass as a structural material. In the past few decades, the use of glass in buildings has remarkably increased. As a result, several transparent buildings have been constructed. The flexibility or versatility of glass keeps...

Skylights in India Traditionally, skylights have been a European concept, where natural light is a scarcity. India is a country full of natural light. With more than 300 bright sunny days a year, why would we need a skylight anyway? However, in the recent past, the design trends have changed. The living patterns have changed. More so, to accommodate the Western style of architecture and living. Contemporary designs are more popular now even in India. So, why not fancy skylights? However, if we do not follow certain aspects of designing a proper skylight customised to the Indian climatic conditions, it might be a disaster and one might be living in an ‘oven’ practically. Choosing a proper design along with materials that are more suitable for local conditions is the key to incorporating a skylight into your building. The very purpose of installing a skylight is to bring natural light into...

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...

It is a challenge to fit suitable ventilation or solar shading system to every type of project. Curtain wall systems are one of those new building trends, where standard solutions won’t do. The challenge is to look for a solution using its urge for innovation and creativity. A driven ‘Project team’ focuses on projects like these, together with a large research & development division. They collaborates with architects, contractors and engineers to create a proper solution for any given project, however big the challenge is. Every special project starts with an idea, that is accurately been worked out to a solid design. That design is the first step to come to a mock-up of the specific solution created, to evaluate with everyone involved (architects, contractors, engineers, universities, etc). As soon as these mock-ups are approved, production of the customized parts can be started. Every special project ends up with the...

The curtain wall glazing system is an amazing design element and integral of modern building architecture and construction. Though from the layman point of view “it’s just glass panels stuck to the building”, however there are intensive specialist design involving several modern technologies, skills are the key drivers of any curtain wall glazing systems exists for the past several decades with buildings around the globe. Types of Systems There are unlimited ways the types of Curtain wall system can be classified, following illustrates the chronology of most widely used façade types. Work Flow or Process Like any other pre-fabrication approach, a lot of pre-planning, and workings are paramount and make several aspects much more disciplined in the workflow. The following illustrates the key process of design and implementation. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Image 1: Façade types and different ways of classifications[/caption] Architectural Design Building envelope/building façade is the key communication...

A curtain wall is a wall that encloses a space within a building but does not support the structure in any way. It is the outer covering or skin of a building, in which the outer walls are non-structural but merely keep the weather out and occupants in. As the curtain wall is a non-structural cladding system for the external surfaces, it can be made of a lightweight material thus reducing construction cost. The most popular material used for this is glass which suffices not only creating an enclosure but lets the light in and therefore, creates large and uninterrupted areas with clear passage of light. Other materials that can be used are Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP), metal panels or even thin stone, thus creating an attractive facade of a building whenever required. These materials, especially ACP and glass, are available in a wide spectrum of colours and choices. The...

Mumbai, 8th September 2016: Asahi India Glass Limited (AIS), India’s leading integrated glass company expanded its existing portfolio in the architectural segment with the introduction of a new range under its Ecosense range of high-performance glasses (The Green Standard in Glass). The new range – Excel combines the best of functionalities with best-in-class eco-friendly features. Ecosense Excel is a specialized green building glass with advanced solar control and low-E properties. This glass product comes with excellent thermal insulation and best-in-class solar control performance. Excel (Double Low-E glass) can be used in a number of applications, like structural glazing, facade glazing, bolted systems, curtain walling and fenestration applications, insulated glazing units, laminated double glazed units, laminated, heat treated and bent glazing units. The two series in which Ecosense Excel is available are – Pearl and Sparkle. The shades available in these two series are Clear, Blue, and Green. Mr. Vikram Khanna, COO...

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...

Having a glance at monotonous urban spaces at the end of 20th century, we propose a solution which maximizes the possibilities of the human body and spirit and create a chance to energize life in the fullest sense. We propose a comprehensive design that shapes up a place and its environment towards the intangible senses of a human. It is a monumental task to penetrate the city using this approach, yet we desire to find solutions through our designs. Concurrently, we were working with glass - a material strongly discouraged in use for construction practices as it is not very conducive to the Indian climate. But, with the appropriate, skill technology and knowledge, we were able to blend the use of glass as a construction material in our designs through accurate positioning and use of the appropriate type of glass. Combining the use of glass and fabric, we were able...

Facade Cladding, while essentially being the skin of the building, should not merely accentuate the aesthetics but also serve as a shield from extremes of weather and the external environment. This protective layer, while being functional, should also permit the building to breathe while defining its significance and character. The Facade Cladding industry, today, is undergoing many changes in terms of functionality and performance parameters. To create an optimal artificial environment inside the building, the cladding material has to ensure a reduction in energy consumption through the wall of the building. This also means that the cladding material and system have to perform in all types of climatic conditions giving rise to more robust, energy-efficient, innovative and adaptable façade systems some of which are explained below: Rain Screen Façade Cladding (Back Ventilated Façade System):   [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300"] Functional wind protection and privacy along with design sophistication[/caption] Rear-ventilated facades...

Abstract Structural analysis of laminated glass has evolved significantly in recent years. However, it still remains to be a debatable subject among most façade designers and structural engineers in India. With multiple analytical approaches prevalent in the market, there are various different options of glazing available for specific projects. The simple approach of adding up the thickness of glass layers and ignoring the interlayer thickness is commonly followed by engineers in India which often results in over engineered solutions. Finite Element technique based software packages, which can model the viscoelastic behavior of the interlayer in the laminates are more rational and thus are getting wide acceptance worldwide. They help in distinguishing the pre breakage structural performance of laminates made from different interlayers. Post breakage structural performance, which is very critical in frameless glazing applications like point fixed glazing and cantilevered glass balustrades, has been studied through impact tests at elevated...

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...

A piece of News that has been doing rounds of Façade and Fenestration industry off late, is “LIXIL Corporation’s acquisition of majority stake holding in Start Alubuild. At one hand is Japan’s largest building products company LIXIL Corporation, which also owns Permasteelisa, world’s largest and most admired façade company.In its drive to enhance focus on the Indian market LIXIL acquired a majority stake in Star Alubuild from DLF. On the other hand is Star Alubuild,North India’s leading façade design, fabrication and installation service company focusing primarily on doors & windows, curtain walls and solid surface façades for interiors and exteriors. Led by founder and president, Romi Malhotra, it has serviced an array of projects, ranging from residential to infrastructure, as well as from economy to premium segments, with key clients including DLF, IREO, and Larsen & Toubro. Together they have forged a partnership which promises to bring about a revolution...