Piramal Aranya is situated in a very propitious location, right next to the Veer Jijamata Udyan and with proximity to the eastern waterfronts. The Aranya towers are perceived as very elegant, tall and sleek structures. They will redefine expectations of living within the centre of Mumbai. Connections with the city are enhanced with incredible unobstructed views of the entire Mumbai peninsula, making sure the architecture isn’t a barrier to connecting with the city. ‘Columns’ are swapped for blade walls and the windows are maximised to the full width of the living and bedroom accommodation. Full-height corner windows have also been incorporated into the design for some of the apartments providing a panoramic view of the exteriors. Full-width glazing of the façades maximises daylight with operable sliding window systems for ventilation. For curtain walls, openable windows have been provided as per the CFO requirement. This has been done without sacrificing the...

An oasis of luxury looms tall in the heart of Mumbai, spread over sprawling acres of bespoke serenity. Island City Centre (ICC) is borne of a desire to create an iconic building unique to Mumbai. With advanced technologies and building materials, ICC is an innovative and timeless design that adds to the history and roster of Mumba’s landmark buildings. The architecture is finely crafted, precise, elegant and striking. [caption id="attachment_49436" align="alignleft" width="500"] Fenestration installations at ICC[/caption] The biophilic entrance with its green wall, water wall, and green islands are inspirational, therapeutic, healthy, and integrative spaces with the functionality of the place. ICC makes a dominating impression on the skyline, while the true colour of the glass panels easily blends with the sky on a clear day. The building takes a minimalist approach to form, drawing attention to its considered “materiality, lightness, transparency and order”. The façade’s sleek glass curtain wall...

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...

As more and more sky-high multi-occupancy buildings emerge across India’s densely populated megacities, it is not only crucial that curtain wall façades are designed and constructed to withstand constant movement but that the passive fire protection measures incorporated within can accommodate this movement. With clean lines, sleek glass surfaces and technological glazing innovations, curtain walls offer an ultra-modern aesthetic, floor-to-floor natural daylight and excellent weatherproofing. Unlike more traditional wall constructions, curtain walls are not part of the building’s supporting structure. [caption id="attachment_49326" align="alignright" width="140"] Curtain walled buildings may require bespoke perimeter fire seal solutions to manage varying depths between the façade and floor slab[/caption] They are a non-loadbearing and self-supporting vertical enclosure or envelope that separates and protects the internal environment from external climatic conditions. This makes them highly susceptible to movement caused by wind and rain loads, seismic sway, occupancy loads on the floor slab and thermal loads that...

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...

As societies move towards being carbon neutral, the Singapore government is targeting to achieve the climate ambition of net zero carbon emissions by mid of 21st century. In 2019, Singapore introduced the carbon tax and Bloomberg reported in February 2022 that the carbon tax levels will rise progressively from 2024. In addition, the electricity tariff in Singapore influenced by the gas and oil costs has also increased steadily since January 2021. These events brought about the urgency for organisations to explore innovative solutions with renewable energy. Singapore’s shift towards renewable energy is not the most straightforward one due to our geographic limitations. Being a small and resource-constrained country, Singapore is constrained by limited space and low average wind speeds, making it unsuitable for harvesting wind energy and hydropower. While solar energy is one of the promising renewable energy sources on our sunny tropical island, we still lack the space for...

A new office skyscraper in Melbourne built by Australian architecture firm Kennon will employ an integrated solar façade to create electricity for the building’s usage. This project has the potential to be an excellent example of sustainable onsite power generation. For the first time in Australia, the 8-story, 5000 square metre building in West Melbourne will have 1,182 thin-film solar panels installed on its façade. These panels will produce more energy than the structure requires and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 70 tonnes annually, according to the studio. The creative solar façade firmly places the structure on the path to becoming carbon neutral in a few years. According to architect Pete Kennon, the solar façade may create more than 50 times as much energy as a typical rooftop solar power system utilised in residential buildings. Solar panels for the 550 Spencer building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system will have the same...

The façade of a building is one of its most vulnerable components, particularly in the event of a fire. Aesthetics, cost, energy efficiency, materials, sustainability, and other factors have gotten in the way of considering fire safety precautions. With the relentless growth of high-rise structures, the situation has become more complicated, posing a larger fire hazard. Furthermore, developing tall structures requires a focus on fire safety. In high-rise structures, fenestration and façade design should work together to prevent fire propagation to other portions of the structure through the external flammable cladding. Fire safety design can aid in limiting the spread of a fire as well as limiting smoke and property damage. It also means that buildings are safer for all users. [caption id="attachment_48909" align="alignleft" width="113"] Shabbir Kanchwala Senior Vice President K Raheja Corp[/caption] The story discusses a few common causes of building fire, façade/ fenestration materials’ reactions to fire, parameters...

What are the common causes of building fires? Building fires occur due to misuse of spaces for functions and uses not intended or planned and designed. National Building Code of India prescribes the requirements of life safety, fire prevention and fire protection, and are well-detailed each of 9 occupancies. Causes of fire: A building planned and designed for specific occupancy is used for alternate occupancy and the fire load risk increases. Misuse and malfunctioning and overloading of MEP Services such as air conditioning systems, short circuit in electrical installations Please throw some light on various façade/fenestration materials reaction to fire.   [caption id="attachment_48883" align="alignleft" width="145"] Openable panel[/caption] National Building Code of India specifies the fire resistance rating of the materials to be used in façade in Part 4 and new section 8 in Part 6, and also the active fire protection system for the glass assembly (glass and framing) used...

Introduction The concept of façade for buildings was introduced in India in 1990. Before that, high-rise structures were erected in conventional brick and mortar for external wall masonry. Mumbai is the first megacity that was exposed to the high-rise culture in the country due to land constraints. Local building bye-laws play an important role in the construction of buildings in India, however, the majority of these bye-laws have been influenced by the National Building Codes (NBC) which is the backbone of most of the building bye-laws. Before 2106, the NBC was silent about the façade construction besides the fire safety of the façade of buildings. [caption id="attachment_48808" align="alignright" width="300"] The use of glass façades in buildings started gaining momentum a decade back[/caption] The use of glass façades in buildings has started gaining momentum due to its transparency and relative ease in installation and maintenance besides the aesthetic value added to...

What are the common causes of building fires? Electricity is by far the most common cause of fire outbreaks as it happens quickly, and unexpectedly & is often related to ignorance. The second most common cause of fire outbreaks could be human errors. Burning candles that are forgotten, the forgotten pot on the stove, smoking indoors - human error is responsible for many fires in commercial and residential spaces. Overheating and Arson are some other causes of fire. Please throw some light on the reaction of various façade/fenestration materials to fire. [caption id="attachment_48689" align="alignleft" width="300"] Palace of Justice, Antwerp, Belgium: fire-resistant glazing installed Credits: AGC GLASS EUROPE[/caption] The reaction of façade/fenestration to fire is its contribution to a fire to which it is exposed through its decomposition. It is concerned with the combustibility and ignitability of building materials, and it can be used to calculate how much energy they contribute...

On looking at the literal meaning of the ‘façade & fenestration’ it is known that façade means “the front wall of a large building that you see from the outside” or “the way somebody/ something appears to be, which is not the way it really is”. It may be seen that in many of the so called commercial buildings, it is not the front wall alone, but the buildings having glass façades on all sides. The meaning of fenestrations is “the arrangement, proportioning & design of windows & doors in a building”. This part i.e.“windows” was seen totally missing in most of the glass façade buildings built in the past. [caption id="attachment_48647" align="alignright" width="217"] A glass façade building in Gurugram, with no visible, Openable windows. Breaking the toughened glass may be extremely difficult for external intervention, even with ALPs[/caption] Roll of Walls/Façade The role played by the external walls or...

“What happens if there is a fire accident?” “How have we correctly designed the components to react in the event of a fire?” “Are we using the proper codes?” “Are we answering the above questions when designing a façade?” Accidents have occurred not only in developing countries but also in developed countries. These accidents have occurred in places that are thought to be the safest, so why are we not alarmed? The products used and how they react to fire should be the first consideration when designing a fire-rated façade. We have had a lot of debate in India, specifically, about the use of international codes, but we still don’t use them. The products in the Bill of Quantity (BOQ) are still referred to as “Class B, Class B1, Class A2, Class 1, Class 1A, Class A1, and so on”. The issue with such nomenclature is that we aren’t writing...

India’s leading manufacturer of Metal Composite Panels, Aludecor, and world’s leading manufacturers of rolled Zinc materials, Nedzink, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to galvanize the use of sustainable building material solutions. The two giants of the building materials segment are all set to revolutionize the Indian construction industry by introducing environment-friendly and sustainable solutions. [caption id="attachment_48448" align="alignright" width="217"] Ashok Kumar Bhaiya CMD Aludecor[/caption] Nedzink’s partnership with Aludecor is a milestone in India's building material sector. Nedzink from the past 130 years is providing Zinc in buildings for façades and roofings across the globe, and this sustainable metal has enormous potential in India's underserved but growing market. Aludecor who has been offering unique façade products for over 20 years, is enhancing its sphere of influence and adopting innovative sustainable solutions. The two giants have decided to team up to bring rolled Zinc products to India, leveraging Nedzink’s renowned world-classlass zinc...

Due to recent fire-related disasters globally, façades have attracted public attention, and façade fire safety is now being recognised as one of the most crucial aspects at the forefront of fire and life safety engineering design and construction. In order to discuss façade fire safety and protection, the basic definition of fire needs to be noted. [caption id="attachment_48430" align="alignright" width="280"] The Fire Triangle Image courtesy: FireTrainingCompany.co.uk[/caption] Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing light, heat, and smoke. It needs oxygen, heat, fuel, and a chain reaction involving the three. This is better illustrated with the fire triangle. Fuel: Anything that could burn including combustible cladding Heat: A source of ignition that would reach a high enough temperature to ignite the fuel (e.g., electrical hazards) Oxygen: Necessary for the fire to start and propagate, but this is not something we focus on...

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...