The façade of a building is one of the most crucial and challenging parts to design because it sets the standard for iconic structures. The modern façade design is continually changing as technology advances at a rapid rate. Future façades will perform more than just basic needs like weather and environmental protection. A longterm, sustainable perspective and an adaptation to the attainment of climate goals are necessary for the façade of the future. The façade will continue to shield the structure from the effects of the environment and influence the home’s aesthetic appeal in the future. Future façades won’t be used for simply technical purposes. A façade of the future should instead actively improve society. The façade will continue to shield the structure from the effects of the environment and influence the home’s aesthetic appeal in the future. We interviewed a few industry experts and here are the responses presented...

As the last World Climate Summit reminds us, the urgency to reduce CO2 emissions has never been so crippling if we want to preserve both our lives and our children’s. As shown by research published by the World Green Building Council, one of the main touchpoints we can focus on at the present moment is the reduction of energy consumption as a means to start making a change that will be effective in the long run. Why is Natural Ventilation Important? [caption id="attachment_50627" align="alignleft" width="181"] MacKimmie Tower, Calgary, Canada[/caption] Buildings need to breathe just like us humans and proving the right type of ventilation is essential to that end. In fact, when it comes to removing stale air and replacing it with fresh air, natural ventilation of buildings is a great option to achieve such results while lowering costs. As the name suggests, natural ventilation in fact lacks a controlled,...

Nowadays, fire safety in façades is a recurring topic in the construction industry. We have seen many tragic incidents happening, especially in high-rise towers, where a fire in an apartment starts on a chain reaction in the whole building façade, leading to life loss and extensive damage to the properties. Notable examples are the Grenfell tower in London, Torre dei Moro in Milan and the Torch in Dubai. [caption id="attachment_50546" align="alignright" width="217"] Figure 2: Ways of fire spreading between floors[/caption] If we investigate the reasons why this happens, the main issues are: Poor choice of materials used in the façades, allowing for combustible cladding or insulation Façade detailing, leaving the possibility of fire spreading between floors Incorrect site installation or missing components considered during the design phase The surprising thing is that, usually, there are many stakeholders involved in the projects, from architects, project managers, fire engineers and, if we...

The structural design of stone cladding is becoming more and more present in façade engineering. The designer needs to deal with natural material and therefore with the uncertainty of its structural behaviour. Stone has historically been used in load-bearing walls because of its high compression resistance. With the new requirements of slim and tall buildings, the stone became obsolete as a structural element and new materials took over such as reinforced concrete and steel. This required a new way of using stone to obtain the aesthetic effect of a stone wall in highrise buildings. To achieve this, the stone is cut into slabs of various thicknesses and installed in cladding panels using various supporting systems. [caption id="attachment_50516" align="alignnone" width="774"] Example of thin stone slabs used in façades[/caption] Testing the stone used on each project is a good practice to avoid unexpected structural failures of the panels. The designer shall keep...

Buildings consume about 40% of energy use and carbon emissions in the world. The total energy consumption of buildings especially for cooling purposes varies as a function of the quality of design and climatic conditions. With the worsening global climatic situation, achieving carbon neutrality has become a goal, and Green buildings always make business sense. But it is always important to know if the building is really “Green” when it comes to the use of the glass façades for the buildings. There is always a debatable issue of whether glass is a really green product or not. In tropical countries like India, is extensive use of glass really advisable? The vast glass envelopes of the buildings led to a rapid increase in temperature inside the buildings and increase the heat loads. It became unbearable, especially because the glass panels designed as windows would not open. Despite many such experiences, the...

Façade claddings are evolving as time passes with their functional features being upgraded and their aesthetic getting more contemporary and smarter. Façades are the key elements to beautify our structures. There are various façade systems and materials available to select from: [caption id="attachment_50388" align="alignright" width="300"] Perforated parametric & fibre-reinforced polymer(FRP) façade[/caption] 1. Perforated parametric designs are the trends in façade panelling taking into account sun paths, wind direction, shading coefficients, etc. Façades are screens, which can be shaped with multiple algorithms to make them more sustainable and efficient. Vibrant colours and parametric designs are the new norms of expressive façades Parametric-based designs for kinetic façades not only optimise daylight performance but also reduce the heat gain in the structure. 2. Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials exhibit high thermal insulation and corrosion resistance, making them cutting-edge over traditional materials. They are cheap and quick to produce, strong, lightweight and resistant to heat....

The rising urbanisation and the growing environmental consciousness of the consumers will keep driving higher demand for fenestration solutions that are energy-efficient, eco-friendly, recyclable, durable, low on maintenance and aesthetically pleasing as well. These challenging demands from the consumers will give some good opportunities for players in the fenestration industry to introduce innovative products from time to time. [caption id="attachment_50342" align="alignnone" width="774"] Alumil Smartia S440 Sliding Door[/caption] Demand is shifting towards brands that provide products suitable for large window walls that allow them to capture more natural lighting and convertible spaces. Fenestration players with global and technological expertise offer products with modern designs and satisfactory performance to address various needs. [caption id="attachment_50343" align="alignleft" width="300"] Alumil Supreme S77 Casement Window[/caption] In today’s time, making sustainable buildings is the topmost trend in the construction segment, which is increasing the demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly façade & fenestration solutions and technologies. Keeping...

Every structure has a story to tell, and it often begins with the façade of the building. To narrate this story effectively, it is very important to enhance the façade with an appropriate lighting design. A well-lit façade not only serves the purpose of being a landmark, or providing security, but also accentuates significant architectural details - imparting a character to the building as well as its surrounding. Today, effective façade lighting can be a means of conveying context-specific information or promulgating a message by narrating the story of the structure, the surroundings and the overall city, leaving a memorable impression on the viewer. Since façade lighting plays a pivotal role in architectural expression, it is significant to devise a holistic façade lighting design scheme, bespoke for varied typologies. In order to design an ideal façade lighting scheme for any building, it is first and foremost very important to understand...

Façade, also known as the skin of a building, can be decorated in many ways by using designs, shapes, materials and through illumination. Materials that are available in the local or international market are used by façade experts to give life to those designs, keeping important aspects in mind such as safety, maintenance and longevity. An aspect to enhance the look of the façade is illumination/lighting. The purpose of façade lighting is to transform buildings, reveal their forms, and add value to the view. By a good lighting design, the aesthetics and beauty of a structure can increase. The character, story and history of the building and its surroundings must be thoroughly understood and studied before implementing the final dressing.Façade experts encourage in achieving beautiful aesthetic looks and that is where façade lighting comes into the picture. In short, illuminating/lighting the skin will give a new life to the building...

THE ILLUMINATI Gurugram, India Cityspace’ 82 Architects - a well-known residential architecture firm, has worked on various façade projects incorporating exceptional lighting designs. The Illuminati, one of their remarkable projects, includes sustainable façade lighting designs. It is designed to construct a residence with robust attributes and voluminous light-filled living spaces. The house is entirely based on the concept of zero maintenance. The most exceptional feature of this façade design is the use of fiber-optics integrated into the front façade, which gives it a glistening effect of twinkling stars with different intensities. [caption id="attachment_50164" align="alignright" width="300"] The most exceptional feature of this façade design is the use of fiber-optics integrated into the front façade[/caption] Furthermore, this residence is the first in India to install fibre optic lighting on the façade. The house reveals a scene in which, on the days of festivals or parties, the entire house can be lit with...

Façade Design, for various building types, has evolved over the years. Along with the colour, material, texture, and detailing, lighting plays a major role in how buildings are perceived by passers-by. The skyline of an area may differ in appearance when viewed at night, compared to during the daytime. Before we move into the discussion on the latest trends and technologies in façade lighting, we must first define what it means and entails. A ‘façade’ refers to the frontal exterior appearance of an architectural structure. It is one of the most important aspects of building design since it creates the first impression of the building in the mind of a viewer. Architectural Façade Lighting compliments the exterior of the building, enhancing its shape and appearance. The key focus is to make the spectators understand and appreciate architecture, creating an emotional value for it. [caption id="attachment_50154" align="alignright" width="362"] : Project in...

AIR POLLUTION IN INDIA We know by now how severe air pollution in several forms such as smog and smoke constituting the greenhouse gas is a serious environmental issue in today’s modern & progressing India. We were 21st among the 30 most polluted cities in the world in 2019. As per a study based on 2016 data, at least 140 million people in India breathe air 10 times or more polluted than the World Health Organization (WHO) safety limit, making it 13 of the world’s 20 cities with the highest annual levels of air pollution. 51% of the pollution is caused by industries, 27% by vehicles, 17% by crop burning, and 5% by other sources. The worst is that this air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of 2 million Indians every year. In cities, the major sources are the increasing number of vehicles and industries, whereas, in rural areas,...

Ar. Anoj Tevatia is a Founding Partner of Design Forum International, in a recent interaction he elaborated on his architectural journey of over 25 years, a few turning points in his design career, his views on architecture, some of his completed, ongoing and most challenging projects, the design process for façades and fenestrations, his insights on sustainability in the construction of façades, and more. Here are the excerpts: Could you tell us about your educational background, career and architectural experience? I completed my BArch degree from IIT Kharagpur in 1995. In my third year, I started experimenting with professional work outside the academic environment. I would sketch 3D views and perspectives as we didn’t have any software tools at our disposal. Over time, I built up the skill of developing realistic 3D views, which I could apply to opportunities outside the college. These opportunities helped me understand people’s perceptions of...

The façade has always been one of the most important elements of architectural design throughout history. This aspect of architecture arguably reflects, most closely, the culture, socio-political scenario, climatic conditions, and technological prowess of the era in which it existed. [caption id="attachment_49978" align="alignnone" width="774"] Façade of an apartment complex - biophilia has been incorporated with self-sustainable systems. This takes care of the maintenance challenges and also ensures uniformity and consistency of the building façade[/caption] To us, we see the façade as a sieve that filters the outdoor elements into the interior space. To the interiors, it presents curated views, and controls the external elements of light heat cold and rain. And most importantly, it presents the architectural statement to the surrounding environment. Today, technologically, the industry has reached a point where anything that can be imagined can be translated into reality. Unfortunately, though we are also building at scales never...

ZZ Architects intends to give a glimpse of the architectural style of a project, by incorporating prominent design features and transforming them into characteristic elements of its façade. The building façade of Hi Media, 85000 Sq ft of office space at Thane, is conceptualised to be a glass and stone edifice with a concept of the curtain wall. The clear blue glass of the façade blends well with the skyline while also reflecting the sunlight, thus forming a standalone identity while reflecting the natural fabric around the area. [caption id="attachment_49967" align="alignnone" width="774"] The glass and stone edifice with a concept of the curtain wall[/caption] Creative use of various materials and glazing options combined with inventive planning of interior spaces helps integrate natural light. High glass strength, made possible by modern glass technology, extends the range of applications of glass beyond the merely decorative, to functional and even structural roles.

Façade as per layman’s term shall be the exterior of a building, even if it is not built with bricks and mortar then too forms the face of the building. The façade is the first thing people notice when they enter any building premise. India, as a developing country, has started understanding the importance of façade inspections, and indeed, it is the need of the hour. International companies are acting as a catalyst to this process of pushing Inspection as a necessary mandate for every project under the ‘facility management’ vertical. [caption id="attachment_49948" align="alignleft" width="217"] Inappropriate termination of façade: Termination must not allow the structural members to be exposed, & must be water-tight, picture shows poor installation or closure detail[/caption] Irrespective of the functionality of the building - be it a commercial building, educational, institutional, healthcare or recreational, its external condition counts. Also, every building is different depending on its...