The construction of buildings has evolved to newer heights in the past few years, and so has the awareness of conserving energy. With the Kyoto Protocol signed so many years ago and increasing global awareness about climate change, even a school student is now aware of energy conservation. In any given building, its envelope is the main point of heat exchange. As much as 41% of energy might be lost from the fenestration depending on the window-to-wall ratio. If we look at a picture of a house from a thermal camera (Fig 1), we will notice that the brightest red lines, or where the heat is transferred most from, are the frames of the windows, yes, even more than the glass. Energy finds the weakest point between the walls, frames, and glass to pass from. It is apparent in the above thermal analysis, where the isothermal lines are very constant at...

Shailesh Hardikar is a façade & fenestration professional having experience of more than 20+ years of demonstrated history of working in the field of façade engineering, performance mock-ups, quality assurance/quality control & project management. He is currently associated with L&T Construction’s B & F division as Sr. Manager Façades. Previously he had been associated with companies like Axis Façade Consultant, Glass Wall Systems (I) Pvt Ltd, Omkar Realtors & Developers Pvt Ltd, etc. He had been part of many milestone & complex projects across the metro cities of India like those of Indiabulls, Reliance, Lodha, Raheja, Oberoi, Omkar, Bagmane, Wipro, Embassy, Forum, Mani Group and so on. His key areas are PMU, leakage rectifications, on-site technical solutions and project management. (Email: shailesh.hardikar1@lntecc.com)

Rounaq Choudhari is a Founder and Managing Director of Micasa Luxuries and also the Director of Glass Wall Systems Pvt. Ltd. At a young age, he is not only a successful entrepreneur but also looks out for society as a whole. After obtaining his Master’s degree from the University of Bath (UK) and gaining hands on experience from the bottom up, he branched out on his own and became a Director at Glass Wall System India PVT LTD. Rounaq is at the forefront of the façade industry and an innovator at the age of 24. He joined the business at the age of 22 and has successfully managed and completed various projects in just 1 and a half years, achieving something at his age that never happened before in the façade industry. He is a quick learner and very passionate about his work. He is always striving to set up...

Glass Wall Systems (GWS) is one of India's leading façade fabricators, providing turnkey façade solutions by translating the client's vision into reality. At GWS, we believe that if there is a better way to do something, we should find it. Innovation holds the key to staying ahead in the race and giving our clients a better product. Unitized curtain wall systems, stick-type curtain wall systems, and ACP panels with the system are some of the kinds of façades we specialise in. The company also focuses on diversified technological advancements in executing projects. For example, curved unitized panels, articulated unitized panels (at Kohinoor Square Mumbai), dynamic façade lighting (at Mondeal Square Ahmedabad), curved ACP panels with systems (at World Towers Mumbai), perforated aluminium screens, diagrid (at Capital BKC Mumbai), free-flowing façade (at JW Marriot Kolkata), etc. Among the many innovative façades we have built, our most innovative façade with SAGE USA...

The 62nd global edition of the Zak World of Façades was held successfully at Park Hyatt, Hyderabad on 21st June 2019. Being one of the leading international facade design and engineering industry conference, it attracted over 300 delegates this time. In this 2nd edition in Hyderabad, the experts shared their thoughts on the recent trends in the facade design industry. [caption id="attachment_32780" align="alignleft" width="150"] Ashish Kapoor[/caption] The focus of the conference was on ‘Advanced Facade Design through Innovation and Technological Evolution’. Zak World of Façade conference is currently being organised in 25 countries, which include the Middle East (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait & Saudi Arabia), South Asia (India & Sri Lanka), South East Asia (Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam & Indonesia), East Asia (Hong Kong, South Korea & China), Africa (Kenya, Egypt, Morocco & South Africa), Europe (United Kingdom, France, Germany & Sweden), Australasia (Australia & New Zealand) and the United...

The 60th global edition of Zak World of Façades was held successfully at ITC Maratha, Mumbai on 26th April 2019. Being one of the leading international façade design and engineering industry conference, it attracted over 450 delegates this time. In this 7th edition in Mumbai, the experts shared their thoughts on the recent trends in the façade industry. [caption id="attachment_32006" align="alignnone" width="774"] The first panel discussion on Challenges in Designing High-Rise Buildings with Glazed Curtain Wall[/caption] The focus of the conference was on ‘Advanced Façade Design through Innovation and Technological Evolution’. Zak World of Façades conference is currently being organised in 25 countries, which include the Middle East (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait & Saudi Arabia), South Asia (India & Sri Lanka), South East Asia (Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam & Indonesia), East Asia (Greater China & South Korea), Africa (Kenya, Egypt, Morocco & South Africa), Europe (United Kingdom, France, Germany &...

South-Asia’s leading show on fenestration, aluminium extrusion, glass and glazing industry, was held successfully at the MMRDA Exhibition Centre, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai from 6th to 9th December 2018. The 10th edition of Zak Aluminium Extrusions Expo, the 15th edition of Zak Doors & Windows Expo, and the 16th edition of Zak Glass Technology Expo witnessed a huge gathering of industry leaders, architects, builders and consultants. The exhibition impressed the exhibitors as well as the visitors with the riveting display of latest advancements in windows, doors, railings, curtainwall systems, cladding, hardware, fixing systems and much more. The expo saw participation from a huge segment which included glass, doors & windows, and aluminium industry. More than 600 domestic as well as international brands showcased their products and technologies in this four days exhibition. The event also witnessed a remarkable visitor footfall, with over 5000 industry members marking their presence. [caption id="attachment_31097" align="alignnone"...

The Zak World of Façades, organised by the ZAK Trade Fairs and Exhibitions Private Limited, was held at the Hyatt Regency, Delhi on September 14, 2018. With a focus on “Bridging Emerging Technologies and Enduring Designs for a Sustainable Future”, the most anticipated event has served as the best comprehensive platform for the construction industry, as it gives the chance to mingle and connect with the industry leaders from India and around the globe providing expert solutions, services and products. Besides, the conference offers a unique opportunity of knowledge sharing and cross learning on subjects related to façade design and engineering. With more than 300 attendees, the action packed conference created a vigorous and dynamic atmosphere where specialists from the industry spoke on varied topics. The conference covered four sessions that gave significant information on what is feasible and discussed solutions in terms of innovation, technology and sustainability in the...

Zak World of Facades through its 27th edition globally and 6th edition in Mumbai, once again took up the ongoing cause of empowering the facade industry and bringing together the stakeholders to discuss and dwell on some novel concepts and ideas like ventilation, solar shading, structural glass, alternative facade materials - both natural and synthetic in nature, natural cladding material, GFRC and a lot more. The one day conference held every year in prominent metropolitan cities of India is becoming a ‘go to’ event for the most prominent and appreciated names from the construction industry in India. This time, at Mumbai, it was no different when the facade experts from India and abroad converged and shared their expertise and experience in order to achieve best façade execution practices. Needless to say, this edition exhibited some of the finest facade products and hosted some highly technical, but relevant to the Indian...

ZAK WORLD OF FACADES 2nd September 2016 - Hyatt Regency, New Delhi The 22nd edition of Zak World of Facades completes successfully in Delhi with a turnout of more than 400 delegates. The key focus of the event was “Shaping a Smarter and Safer Tomorrow in Façade Design & Engineering”. The building envelope remains one of the most important exterior elements for building functionality. It is the component that defines the significance of a building and also plays many critical roles related to the overall functioning and energy performance of a building. The Zak World of Facades is the largest conference series on facade design & engineering in the region and has become a specialized forum to discuss the latest innovations and challenges in the construction industry pertaining to the building envelope. Now in its 22nd edition globally and 16th edition in India, the conference also showcased the latest technological...

The elite conference from the house of Zak Group on façade design and engineering successfully completed its 15th Indian edition in Bangalore. The second conference in 4th season, Zak World of Façades, Bangalore revolved around the theme of responsible façade execution to harness sustainability. The one-day conference, held at Hotel ITC Gardenia, Bangalore on 15th July, 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. The cosmopolitan city of Bangalore has grown manifolds organically in the last couple of decades. The city is constantly striving to strike a sustainable balance between its ever-growing industry and residential population. Building façades play an irrefutable role in the functionality of a building and determine its prowess to provide comfortable accommodation while giving an exceptional experience. Needless to...

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...

Welcoming, pragmatic and informative discussions in a conference sends a positive message to potential customers and draws them into business. That is exactly what is seen in the third session (13th edition) of ZAK World of Facades held at New Delhi on 4th September in the Hyatt Regency Hotel. ZAK World of Facades, India’s largest and exclusive conference on Facade Design & Engineering, is determined to propagate awareness on the newest cutting edge technology and perspectives that are revolutionizing the field. The conference lays bare a platform for networking, necessary in the professional world. Iconic façades require all the stake holders to strike the right balance between a host of parameters from conceiving the correct design to specifying the optimum materials and finally putting them together in place to materialize the epochal, vanguard building envelope. With ever increasing population density and destinations getting farther, the demand for the latest and...

Coming full circle to where it started from, Zak World of Façades returned to Bangalore in its third season with an all new emphasis on the façades for high-rise cluster housing owing to a spurt in the residential demands of the cosmopolitan. The one day conference held at Ritz Carlton Hotel, Bangalore on 19th June saw participation of stalwarts from the construction industry fraternity in India and abroad, sharing their experience to achieve best façade execution practices. After their highly encouraging and successful first & second season around India, the third season of Zak World of Façades started with Mumbai in April 2015 and Bangalore was second in a line of series of events planned. The event was intimate, with a little under 300 attendees who heard a dozen leaders from the industry at the grand conference hall of Ritz Carlton. The theme of the conference organized at Bangalore was...

Event Location: Zak World of Facades at ITC Maratha, Mumbai on 10th April 2015. After many successful and highly motivating events all over India, another exclusive Forum on Façade Design & Engineering was held as a part of Zak World of Facades at ITC Maratha, Mumbai on 10th April 2015. The former conferences created a benchmark in the city in its earlier editions in 2013 & 2014. Zak World of Facades conference is determined to propagate awareness of the newest cutting-edge technology and perspectives in the field of façade design. A hot topic of discussion at the conference this time was the new Mumbai Fire Brigade regulations on glass façades. The conference expedited a platform for networking, necessary in the professional world. The first session of the conference saw discussions on ‘Efficient design of façades on high rise towers’. Case studies on Ocean Heights in Dubai (twisted) (310m), Entisar Tower...

Indian Façade and Fenestration Association is a first-of-its-kind Association formed by façade Industry leaders for self-regulation and up gradation of standards and best practices. Unlike any other association, IFFA is a Section-25 company, as per the Indian Companies Act, with Directors and Managing Committee. The founders of the Association Mr. Deepak Das, Mr. Dev Chandwani, Mr. Syed Zakir Ahmed and Mr. Satish Kumar, with active support from Mr. Selvam Ramanathanhad an election conducted online by an International firm to selectthe 9 member, Managing Committee, wherein the members were elected by nearly 100 leading fabricators from across India in June 2013. The founders have vast experience in sales, marketing, distribution, design, fabrication, installation and project execution of doors, windows and facades. Since the election, various committees have been formed and interaction with various stakeholders has been initiated. The Managing Committee comprises of the Who’s Who in the Indian Façade and Fenestration...