FAÇADE AND FENESTRATION – PREFERRED MATERIALS
While designing a façade, material selection is primarily guided by aesthetics, durability, climate suitability, maintenance, cost, and energy efficiency. It is also important to evaluate the building’s context, local regulations, and environmental impact. At Morphogenesis, we prioritise materials that meet project requirements and have the least impact on the environment.
While glass is a highly favoured material, it has come a long way in achieving high-performance properties. Due to its ability to transform permeability within spaces, it is a suitable choice for use in, both, exteriors and interiors. For example, in our project – Zydus Headquarters, Ahmedabad, the use of glass enabled a transparent environment, establishing a seamless connection for the occupants with their outdoor surroundings. An alternative to glass is unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC), which is often chosen for its durability, low maintenance, and excellent insulation properties. It is frequently used in residential projects where efficiency and longevity are priorities.
Aluminium is popular due to its strength, lightweight nature, and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for both commercial and residential applications. In another project of ours, The British School, New Delhi, we employed aluminium frames to support large glass panels, combining strength with modern aesthetics. Wood remains a preferred material for its natural appearance and excellent thermal insulation properties, although it requires regular maintenance to prevent decay and damage.
Among the plethora of building materials available, Corten steel stands out as a distinctly unique and durable option. Its natural, earthy, and rustic look distinguishes it from conventional steel or wood, enhancing the design with an industrial, rustic, or contemporary aesthetic, and adding depth & character.
INNOVATIVE FENESTRATION DESIGN WITH A COMBINATION OF MATERIALS
Designing innovative façades by integrating varied materials helps our projects achieve both aesthetic appeal and environmental efficiency. Many housing projects across the country are bringing innovation to their designs by using a combination of jaalis (perforated screens), use of high-performance glass combined with shading devices etc.
For instance, in our recently inaugurated project, the Surat Diamond Bourse, we exemplified exceptional craftsmanship and achieved the highest standards of sustainability by using innovative materials and locally inspired design elements. Through careful selection and integration of materials, it is possible to enhance both the functionality and sustainability of a building while honouring its cultural context.
KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER WHILE CHOOSING GLASS AS FAÇADE MATERIAL
Glass, being widely available and providing a modern, sleek aesthetic, is used in almost 95% of high-rise designs. It is a critical element in determining the final visual perception of a building. When choosing glass as a façade material, it is imperative to consider factors such as its performance, U-value (rate of heat transfer), Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), solar control, durability, and maintenance. To achieve a highly efficient and cost-effective design, each element—windows or doors – is chosen based on location, orientation, and function. It is also important to create a balance between efficiency and aesthetics.
Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings reflect infrared and ultraviolet rays while allowing visible light to pass through, enhancing energy efficiency by reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. While these coatings can significantly reduce the amount of heat entering the building and increase efficiency, they also affect how the glass is perceived from both inside and outside.
This is where Visible Light Transmission (VLT) comes into play. VLT is the percentage of natural light entering the building and determines the visibility from inside out. The higher the light transmission, the more light enters the building, but this is not necessarily ideal since more light means more heat. An ideal range for VLT is 40-50%. Tinted glass is another energy-efficient alternative that can be used to bring uniqueness to the building and reflect the developer’s brand and values through its design implementation.
LATEST FAÇADE AND FENESTRATION INSTALLATION TECHNOLOGIES
The latest façade and fenestration installation technologies emphasise energy efficiency, sustainability, and smart integration. One significant advancement is the use of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), which incorporates solar panels directly onto the building’s façade as a skin. This approach not only generates renewable energy but also enhances the aesthetic appeal of structures.
Dynamic façades, including systems like electrochromic glass, allow for the modulation of light and heat entering the building. These smart windows can adjust their tint in response to external conditions, reducing the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning. These systems provide enormous freedom and flexibility in façade design and are likely to become the norm in the future.
Prefabricated systems and unitised curtain walls are popular in our projects due to the streamlined installation process. These systems are manufactured off-site and assembled on-site, reducing construction time and improving quality control. For housing projects, especially, they improve safety, precision, and speed, reducing the risk of human error and accidents. This ensures perfect alignment and fit, which is crucial for both aesthetic and performance reasons.
These technologies collectively enhance the installation process, ensuring faster, safer, and more accurate placement of façade and fenestration elements while improving the overall performance and longevity of the building envelope.
CALCULATING ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF A BUILDING – TOOLS AND METHODS
The main principle for an architect when designing an energy-efficient building is understanding sun movement. At its core, building orientation and its response to the sun reduce reliance on artificial lighting and HVAC systems, leading to significant energy savings.
Calculating the energy efficiency of a building during the design phase involves assessing factors like insulation, lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. Many tools are available to monitor and benchmark energy consumption, with the Energy Performance Index (EPI) being one of them. The EPI is the key metric used for benchmarking energy usage in any commercial building or occupied office space. EPI is the energy used per unit area measured annually in kWh/m²/year.
One commonly used method is energy modelling, where specialised software simulates the building’s energy performance based on design inputs such as materials, occupancy, and climate data. Energy modelling helps predict energy consumption, identify areas for improvement, and compare different design options. Tools like EnergyPlus, DesignBuilder, and IES Virtual Environment are widely used for energy modelling.
Additionally, daylighting analysis software like Autodesk Revit or DIVA for Rhino can assess natural lighting levels and optimise window placement and size to minimise the need for artificial lighting, further enhancing energy efficiency. By employing these tools and methods, architects and engineers can effectively design buildings that prioritise energy efficiency and sustainability.
FUTURE OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT FAÇADE AND FENESTRATION SYSTEMS – AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY
The future of automation technology in installing and operating energy-efficient façade and fenestration systems holds significant promise for improving building performance and occupant comfort. In the installation, robotics and automated assembly systems will streamline the process, reducing labour costs and increasing precision. Robots equipped with advanced sensors and algorithms can efficiently place and secure façade elements, ensuring optimal sealing and alignment. Automated installation processes will also enhance safety by reducing the need for manual labour in hazardous conditions.
For operation, smart building management systems will integrate with façade and fenestration controls to optimise energy usage. These systems will utilise real-time data from sensors embedded in windows, doors, and building envelopes to dynamically adjust shading, ventilation, and lighting based on occupancy, weather conditions, and energy demand. Machine learning algorithms will continuously analyse data to identify patterns and optimise system performance over time.
Overall, automation technology will revolutionise both the installation and operation of energy-efficient façade and fenestration systems, leading to buildings that are not only more sustainable and energy-efficient but also safer, more comfortable, and easier to manage.
