Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion opened to the public in October 2021 as one of the top three attractions of the Expo 2020 Dubai. Designed by Grimshaw architects, the sustainability drivers for the pavilion were net zero energy and water. In Dubai’s harsh environment where summer temperatures can reach 50°C, shading was provided by a 130m wide main roof canopy and below ground accommodation. More than 6,000 sqm of monocrystalline photovoltaic cells are embedded in the canopy’s glass panels. These cells and the glass casing allow the pavilion to harness solar energy while providing shade and daylight to the occupants. At the centre of the pavilion, a courtyard provides a passively cooled space for visitors by using the prevailing cool breezes and blocking harsh winds. [caption id="attachment_49557" align="alignleft" width="217"] .[/caption] Inhabit was appointed by façade contractor JML in September 2017 to carry out the structural design and engineering of all...

Architectural hardware plays an essential role in every type of construction, whether it is for residential, commercial, or industrial. The story covers the growth of the architectural hardware industry in India and the various factors influencing the same, the latest developments in the industry, challenges faced by brands, and tests and test methods for deciding the quality of the hardware. We spoke to many industry experts from various brands regarding these topics. Presenting their views, solutions and suggestions which will help the AEC industry members to make informed decisions. Market Growth and Demand for Architectural Hardware [caption id="attachment_49494" align="alignleft" width="113"] Deepak Chugh Managing Director LGF Sysmac India Pvt Ltd[/caption] The growth of architectural hardware is synonymous with the growth of the window, door and façade industry. Architectural hardware has evolved a long way since the year 1998 when the aluminium façade market started to make a mark in the Indian...

In an interview with Ar. Sandeep Shikre President & CEO, Sandeep Shikre & Associates (SSA Architects) talks about his career as an architect, the turning points in his life, services offered by his firm, some of his favourite projects, the design process for façades and fenestrations in his projects, latest trends in façade and fenestration designs and technologies, some of his challenging projects and on architecture in post-covid times. “Architecture is a comprehensive approach, which combines the hard skills of design and the soft skills of human connection and experience”. In a nutshell, it’s all about ‘Space, People and Happiness” Could you tell us about your educational background, career and architectural experience? [caption id="attachment_49466" align="alignleft" width="217"] The dynamic duo, Ar. Alpa & Ar. Sandeep Shikre[/caption] After graduating in 1986 from the Academy of Architecture in Mumbai, I and my wife Ar. Alpa Shikre, who partners with me in both work...

Sun is the ultimate source of all energy, this is something taught since primary school. This basic knowledge is revisited each time a façade engineer decides to specify the optical and thermal properties of glass for a project. Glass has many benefits that make them a popular choice among architects for building façades. They are aesthetically pleasing in a cityscape and create an inviting entrance for a building. Glazed walls create the impression of open and airy space and improve the overall mood created in a building. Glass also allows a lot of natural light and heat to enter a building thus allowing to effectively reducing heating and artificial lighting cost. While glass offers all the above benefits, these same properties of glass can also create negative atmosphere in a building. Windows and glazing can be understood to be the least insulating element of a building assembly. The building façades...

Fire accidents can happen during construction and post-construction, or after any structure is occupied. It can be a residential building, commercial office building, or factory building. During the event of a fire, most people die due to smoke inhalation and panic situations. [caption id="attachment_48863" align="alignleft" width="275"] Building with various passive and active fire safety mitigation materials to be incorporated during construction[/caption] To resolve the issue of trapped smoke, various materials and systems are available. Design can be developed by architects and construction consultants to control panic situations. Proper guidelines should be disseminated and regular training and drills must be conducted from time to time. Firstly, we have to ensure that fire accidents should not happen due to any human error, secondly, if a fire accident happens due to any reason, by natural or by human error, in such a situation a plan must be ready for how to come out...

The correct fenestration designs can solve a multitude of challenges. As the face of the building design and construction industry is changing rapidly, safety and security measures have become non-negotiable in the building design and construction industry. As a result, there is an increasing need to ensure the various safety measures to make projects viable. The safety parameters for buildings comprise fire safety measures, structural safety, withstanding harsh weather conditions, safety for accident-prone zones, etc. While many of these measures can be a post-construction add-on, a few should be considered right at the conceptual stage. Fire safety is one such factor which is segregated into three broad categories that one should look at: Efficient building design to incorporate passive measures Provision of systems and equipment for active safety measures Safe and secure evacuation process for occupants Fenestration and its Role in Fire Safety Measures [caption id="attachment_48842" align="alignleft" width="300"] Designing the...

Energy efficiency is a key area of focus for architects looking for ways to ‘build greener’ without compromising building aesthetics, and it’s no surprise that vertical greenery systems have become a growing trend in increasingly dense urban environments. Vertical greenery systems, also known as green walls, living walls or vertical gardens, are vertically built structures intentionally covered by vegetation, typically including a growth medium such as soil, substitute substrate, or hydroculture felt. They differ from ‘green façades’ in that they have the growth medium supported on the vertical face of the wall, whereas green façades have the growth medium located at the base. This allows living walls to contain more plant species than green façades, which are limited to climbing types.[caption id="attachment_48776" align="alignleft" width="217"] Figure 1 - Vertical Greenery System - Tree House, Singapore (Source: CDL)[/caption]Aside from the aesthetic value that green walls provide for buildings and urban centres, they’ve...

What are the common causes of building fires?The common causes of building fires are:Electrical - Improper or faulty wiring, equipment overload, faulty lighting, etc.Cooking equipment – LPG leak, equipment overheating, etc.SmokingLightning (very rare)Please throw some light on various façade/fenestration materials’ reactions to fire?High resistance to fire/Non combustible - Stone (like granites and marbles), clay/terracotta, interlayered toughened fire glass, etc.No resistance to fire / combustible materials – Like untreated wood or wood dust productsFire-resistant materials like brick, fire rated Gypsum wallboard, concrete, etc.Ignition resistant materials like high pressure laminate (HPL), specially treated wood, PVC core ACP, etc.It is important to note here that greater danger is not from the fire itself, but also from the smoke and toxic fumes in event of a fire.[caption id="attachment_48766" align="alignnone" width="774"] Reliance Life Sciences Centre, Navi Mumbai Fire safety features: Use of fire-resistant granite in cladding[/caption]What are the parameters which define the performance of a...

Why is Smoke and Heat Extraction So Important?The smoke and heat extraction system (RWA) is classed under “preventive fire protection” and will save life in the event of a fire. During a fire, considerable quantities of combustion products such as smoke and fire gases, and heat energy are produced. The most important task of an RWA is to discharge the products of combustion from the building efficiently and quickly. Rooms and buildings without RWA fill up with toxic smoke gases within a very short time. The risk of people trying to escape and the rescue services is strongly increased in buildings without RWA since the lack of smoke and heat extraction leads to uncontrolled blazing fire, and the thick smoke makes active and passive rescue impossible.Fire victims caused by direct contact with fire only occur very rarely. Almost 90% of fatal fire accidents are due to suffocation caused by smoke...

Please throw some light on various materials’ reactions to fire. The main reaction of façade /fenestration materials to fire is toxic smoke, ignitability, combustibility, the spread of flame and droplets of combustible material. What are the parameters which define the performance of a fire-retardant material for façade/fenestrations? The important parameters that define the performance of façade /fenestration materials are their ignitability, combustibility, and the level of toxic smoke it emits. What are the aspects to consider while designing and installing fireproof or fire-resistant facades and fenestrations? By choosing suitable construction materials, taking certain precautions in the construction of buildings including adequate emergency exits and installing fire alarm systems and fire extinguishers wherever necessary. Tell us about fire-resistant materials which can be used on facades/fenestrations. How can glass be a fire-resistant material? Fire-resistant material includes glass, silicon, and foam. Fire-resistant glass is a specially laminated glass that helps the product withstand...

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...

Tell us about your practice and design approach? NORR is a multi-disciplinary Architecture & Engineering practice with offices across North America, the UK, and the UAE. NORR has been established in the UAE for 33 years, with a significant portfolio of work across the Middle East. Championing the convergence of art and science, our approach to design is truly collaborative, combining the experience and specialist knowledge of our architects and engineers, in combination with external specialist designers and clients to deliver comprehensive and holistic solutions to design projects. In the role of Lead Consultant, from design inception to completion on-site, our team is carefully selected to ensure the best possible outcome of each project, combining local knowledge with global expertise. [caption id="attachment_48368" align="alignleft" width="292"] Grasshopper scripting | Image Courtesy: NORR Group[/caption] Could you please tell us about your journey in the field? How did you think of becoming an architect?...

Cladding of buildings is one of the most expressive, inspiring and complex aspects of building design. The basic function of an envelope or enclosure of a building or structure is to protect the covered or otherwise conditioned interior spaces from the surrounding environment. Four Major Trends in Exterior Wall Cladding Demand for fire-resistant, thermal resistant, and water-resistant, soundproof cladding systems is growing in the market. Innovative, eco-friendly cladding materials are preferred in the market as a consumer is becoming more environmentally concerned. Fibre cement boards, HPL (High-Pressure Laminate), kinetic façade, and perforated parametric designs are major trends in exterior wall cladding. Most Preferred Cladding Methods [caption id="attachment_48010" align="alignnone" width="774"] `Wave Hotel Indana Palace[/caption] Kinetic façades are the most preferred cladding material as they can be used to manage light, air, energy, and even information and can act to reduce the solar gain as well as allow the passage of fresh...

Excerpts from an interesting interview with Ar. Ishan Grover and Ar. Karan Grover from Karan Grover & Associates (KGA) sharing insights about their firm, accomplishments, and their mission and vision. Please tell us about your practice and its growth in India over the years? Ar. Karan Grover (KG): Karan Grover and Associates (KGA) was established in 1985 after dissolving a partnership with Ar. Manoj Patel, which started 10 years ago. KGA emerged into a multi-disciplinary organisation with the best associate consulting teams for all the services, which is seen as an integral part of architectural design activity. In 2004, KGA was the first architectural firm in the world to win the USGBC “Platinum” award for the greenest building in the world - The “CII–Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre”. Later, we also went on to win the second Platinum Award for the interior of ABN AMRO Bank in Ahmedabad. [caption id="attachment_47540"...

Green facades are passive techniques and provide benefits in reducing the energy requirements of the building, but also enhance the aesthetic appearance of the building and any other structure. In the past decade, people are slowly beginning to realize the benefits of green architecture which is considered a new perspective for the urban heat island problem. Thus, these green solutions in buildings become an essential element and a rescue for regaining balance in the urban environment. The Genesis of Green Walls- The tradition of creating green roofs derives from the way past times of antiquity, one such example of the use of greenery in architecture is the so-called Hanging Gardens of Babylon. While moving to modern times, the idea to create a living green wall was first spread by Stanley Hart White in 1938, he developed a patent for a structure that enables plants to grow vertically. His idea was...

With the continual growth in the real estate sector, the façade and fenestration industry seems to have marked relentless advancements throughout. The industry is witnessing a significant shift in the country as the real estate sector shapes itself with the growth in the economy. It’s noteworthy that the façade and fenestration industry isn’t just restricted to Tier I and Tier II cities but has started to expand its base in tier III cities where people are cultivating interest in developing an aesthetic sense for their houses. According to a report by IMARC Group, the Indian façade market reached a value of US$ 2424.4 million in 2021 and is expected to reach US$3,930.4 million by 2027. No wonder the last decade has presented a significant transformational graph when it comes to the introduction of game-changing technologies and modern materials used for façade design and construction. Future Façade and Fenestration [caption id="attachment_46557"...