Façade Design should Authentically Respond to the Building’s requirements, Echoing the Interior Spaces and the Broader Site Context

By: Siddharth Ramnathan, VS Design Studio

Could you please tell us about your journey in the field of architecture? How did you think of becoming an architect? What do you enjoy most about your profession?

I was exposed to the design and construction field from a young age, as my father was a contractor and my uncle was a practicing architect. I remember going to sites during some of my holidays and seeing 2d drawings come to life as built forms fascinated me. Analysing a design brief and developing a creative solution that is functional, meets the project parameters and appeals to the senses is something that gives me great satisfaction as an Architect.

Fast Facts

Project Name: Luxury residential building
Location: Chennai, India
Client: Private
Architect: VS Design Studio
Materials used for facade & fenestration: Large format porcelain tile cladding
Commencement Date & Completion Date: Under detailed design

How do you approach the initial stages of a new architectural project, including concept development and understanding client requirements?

At VSDS, we lay a lot of emphasis on analysing the project requirements, and studying the site, with respect to its location, climate, orientation, solar path, and surroundings. We believe these are the factors that truly lead to bespoke and innovative design solutions.

Please name some of your architectural projects and their façade & fenestration details.

Over the years we have used quite a few diverse materials, the projects and the façade materials are listed below:

Jazeera Paints Research & Development Facility, Abha Saudi Arabia – Corten Steel cladding and GFRC cladding in Fair faced concrete finish.
Farmhouse in Jizan, Saudi Arabia – Rammed earth walls, white exterior paint, and special concrete finish paint.
Private villa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Porcelain tile in Travertine finish, beige Limestone (Riyadh Stone), Equitone Linea Grooved panel and white exterior paint.
Nad Al Sheba Villas in Dubai, UAE – Porcelain tile cladding, grooved plaster, and paint. • G+9 storied Residential & commercial building in Majan, Dubai, UAE – Large format porcelain tile cladding
Luxury residential building in Chennai, India – Large format porcelain tile cladding

Fast Facts

Project Name: G+9 residential and commercial building
Location: Dubai, UAE
Client: Private
Architect: VS Design Studio
Materials used for facade & fenestration: Large format porcelain tile cladding
Commencement Date & Completion Date: Under detailed design

How do you go about choosing materials for the façade and cladding?

In my opinion, the choice of façade material should reflect the context. We love using locally available materials where possible.

What do you think is the role of a façade in the sustainability enhancement of a building?

In my view, façade design should authentically respond to the building’s requirements, echoing the interior spaces and the broader site context. This principle holds particular significance in regions like the Middle East, where scorching summers necessitate façade designs that effectively mitigate heat gain.

How has the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) impacted the process of façade design in building projects, and what key advantages or challenges have emerged as a result?

The integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has profoundly influenced the façade design process in building projects. Here is a list of advantages:

Enhanced Collaboration: BIM facilitates better teamwork between architects, engineers, and contractors.
Visualisation and Simulation: Detailed digital models aid in assessing designs before construction.
Streamlined Documentation: Automatic generation of comprehensive documentation saves time and reduces errors.
Performance Analysis: BIM allows for evaluating designs for sustainability and efficiency.

Fast Facts

Project Name: Luxury Farmhouse Location: Jizan, Saudi Arabia
Client: Private
Architect: VS Design Studio
Materials used for facade & fenestration: Rammed earth walls, white exterior paint and special concrete finish paint.
Commencement Date & Completion Date: Detailed design completed

Fast Facts

Project Name: Nad Al Sheba Villas
Location: Dubai, UAE
Client: Prime Capital Real estate
Architect: VS Design Studio
Materials used for facade & fenestration: Porcelain tile cladding, grooved plaster and paint.
Commencement Date & Completion Date: Under construction, completion date September 2024

Siddharth Ramnathan, VS Design Studio

Partner & Design Director

Siddharth Ramnathan leads the architecture design department at VS Design studio and is involved with projects from concept through execution to completion. His journey of design began in India where he worked on 5-star hospitality and commercial projects. He wanted to raise the bar and explore designing in different regions, and Dubai was the next step in his career. He moved to Dubai in 2005 and has since worked on a number of prestigious hospitality, high-end residential, and master planning projects in the Middle East region. He is extremely passionate about architectural design and how it influences the lives of the inhabitants of buildings. He strives to incorporate elements of nature into the buildings he designs.