The brief of this restaurant designed by Chromed Design Studio was to blend a food-centric design with retail products, so the entire look is manifested as a subtle symmetrical mix of both, writes Himani Ahuja

Name of Project: Too Indian
Area: 3000 sq.ft
Location: Rajouri Garden, New Delhi
Cost: 1.5 crore
Client: Viva Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. by Varun Puri
Design Team: Kanika Suri & Abhigyan Neogi
Architecture/Interior Firm: Chromed Design Studio
Completion: May 2017

This 100-seater restaurant-cum-retail space is conceived to celebrate Indian-ness; the name “Too Indian” is crafted with the intent to denote the characteristics of a modern Indian, while providing the visitor with an experience of slow-moving time and the vernacular as imbibed ethos.

The idea conceived also explores the spatial quality around and inside the space, which does not claim to be a prototype design. Fusing modern culture into the choice of decor and design; creates a story that is told through the wholesome Indian setting. The entrance through the glass door encased within the complete glass wall with steps leading to it; is dominated by MS sheet and wrought iron railings. Visible amply from the outside, is the distinct green feature - a large wall at the entrance filled with planters from top to bottom.

The retail shelves run straight in line with the columns and bronze mirror running bands on beams, which accentuate the interiors, while intimacy and sharing is highlighted by communal seating. The mix of seating spaces including bar chairs, tri-seaters, four seaters and booth seating, are all in sync.

Too Indian is an amalgam of tradition and modernity. A dialogue is attempted through the translations of flooring patterns shifting from one of Bharat Tile’s Heritage Graphic collection to retro black and white pattern tiles to wooden chevron flooring. Equilibrium is achieved through the combination of elements of a homogeneous palette - Indian Marble & Black Granite both with leather finish, bar front with silver Indian frames and reflective mirror on the ceiling, teak wood on kitchen front, and a series of circular glass windows of coloured and fluted nature.


The colour scheme accentuated is through Asian Paints colours, namely Ironic (Bronze), Morning Glory(White) and Elm Groove(Blue) in the indoors, where a relaxing dining space is dotted with custom-made furniture procured by the client, the bar installation is by Vishal of Hookah Pani, and the bespoke lights are by Ritika of MGM (Mother Gone Mad) Studio.

With a heightened ambience of India and its appeal, Too Indian is designed using intrinsic design features, devoid of extraneous decorative elements, therefore, creating a classic space, symbolic of simplistic, elegant design.

Anaha Spa at Shreyas Retreat, Bengaluru, is designed by The Purple Ink Studio as a sustainable model

Fact File

Project: Anaha Spa at Shreyas Retreat
Design program: Spa block insert in a Yoga Retreat
Location: Bengaluru
Site area: 26 acres
Built up area: 20,000 sqft
Year of completion: 2016
Client: Inner Challenges Pvt Ltd
Photography: Shamanth Patil

Designed as a ‘retreat within retreat’, the 20,000 sqft spa block is a new ‘insert’ at the well-known Shreyas Retreat with its spectacular layers of spaces and experiences. Planned as a sustainable model, the main block disappears into the earth where it is half submerged, with the light and air movement planned from a series of sunken courts. The approach to the main area opens up a plethora of spaces, which are programmatically planned to suit the smooth spatial transitions of the guests.

We believe in constantly exploring the parameters of design and blurring the boundaries between architecture, landscape and sustainability.

– Akshay Heranjal, Principal Architect.

 

The entire feel is organic with natural light washing the exposed walls and ceilings with a spectacular play of light and shadows. The spaces are further held together with a strong design language of hand crafted jaali screens, solid wood doors and openings. The Guest Lounge opens to a Central Court with a water body on one side, and a sunken Court on the other. Private Consultation rooms are tucked away beside the water body.


The spa block is seen as a semi-detached sequence that utilizes the adaptive approach with each unit fitted to the purpose it serves. Each spa room (of up to 600sqft) offers spectacular views of the surroundings, whilst concealing the guests from the outside with local exposed brick jaali works as the shell. The structure’s porous cell conceals a softer environment inside, and the private areas open to sky lounge spaces (for after-treatment relaxation) bringing in natural daylight into the spaces.


The landscape merges the geometry of network of the surrounding paths to form break-away spaces for the guests to lounge. These buffer zones create smooth transitions from the exterior, to semi covered spaces, and also offer a beautiful play of light.

Rational, aesthetic, with inclusion of natural elements in design, we see a continuous evolution in exploring and being responsive to Nature.

– Aditi Pai Heranjal, Principal Landscape Architect

 

With each block growing from the sunken gardens into the sky, often blending into a series of greens, the organic approach seamlessly fuses the inherent sense of lightness expected from a space so serene. The feel is further exaggerated on the upper level, in the 2000 sqft Meditation and Yoga pavilion, with large openings on the east, allowing natural sunlight to create a powerful setting. The Large Pavilion opens up further to a series of private Yoga and Meditation Spaces offering beautiful varied settings using the natural play of light and shadows of the sun against the roof jaalis.

Fazer installs ULMA Architectural Solutions’ ventilated facade in the refurbishment of the buildings in one of their factories. Architectural firm K2S Architects was in charge of designing this project under the direction of Ar Mikko Summannen.


As part of the overall architectonic project for the factory of Fazer, one of the leading Finnish food companies in Finland, the facade of the existing building was refurbished with a highly developed form of the Creaktive Range in a 3D texture.

The degree to which the polymer concrete ventilated facades can be personalised and textured, among other factors, played an important role in the architect’s decision to use ULMA’s systems for refurbishing the buildings.


A totally exclusive and unique texture, inspired by the triangular shapes of one of the brand’s star products, was developed for the project in close cooperation with ULMA’s technical department.

Said Summannen: “The idea for the 3D texture was to reference the wafers and the famous chocolates made by this producer, although it is still an abstract pattern that doesn’t reproduce any specific shape. The biggest challenge was ensuring that the designed pattern was continuous between the panels so that they would fit perfectly together.”


By working closely and continuously together to overcome the challenges, the architect and the manufacturer have made this 3D texture a reality, creating a unique and spectacular aesthetic for the project. Advantages of using this construction system are energy savings, protection from atmospheric agents, durability and the little maintenance required, as well as the modernisation and revaluation of the building.

The building presents a façade resembling a double skin, enveloping it for its protection

Credits
Architectural Project: Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos (SMA)
President: Javier Sordo Madaleno Bringas
Architecture Leader: Javier Sordo Madaleno de Haro
Project Leader: Boris Pena
Program: Mixed Use
Construction Area: 57,970 m²
Terrain Area: 4,116 m²
Completion: 2016
Location: Guadalajara, Mexico
Project Manager: Andrés Harfuch
Production Manager: Cándido Hernández
Design Team: Juan Marin de la Plaza, Miguel Baranda, Abraham Gracía, Luis A. Cabello
Engineering Coordination: Marcos Hernández
Engineering Team: ADC Soluciones Integrales para la Construcción
Construction Coordination: ADC Soluciones Integrales para la Construcción
Media & Marketing: Rosalba Rojas, Daniela Cruz, Jimena Orvañanos
Interior Design: Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos
Interior Director: Nadia Borrás, Enrique Ralph
Interior Team: Fernanda Patiño
Structural Engineering: Luis Bozzo Estructuras y Proyectos
Structural Supervision: Alba Proyectos
Electrical Engineering: Fortuis Electromecánica S.A. de C.V.
Air Conditioning Engineering: ICC Aire Acondicionado S.A. de C.V.
Systems & Special Engineering: Teleintra S.A. de C.V.
Hydrosanitary Engineering: Construcciones y Proyectos Hidráulicos y Sanitarios S.A. de C.V.
Lighting Consultant: Sistemas y Soluciones en Eficiencia Energética S.A. de C.V.
Audio & Video Consultant: Teleintra S.A. de C.V.
Landscape Consultant: lantica S.A. de C.V.
Security Consultant: Bravo Sentinelas
Construction: Constructora Anteus
Photographs: Rafael Gamo
Image Credit: © Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos
Certificate: LEED Silver

This mixed-use project for offices and a hotel is located in the heart of the city of Guadalajara. Its formal, emphatic, and unified volumetrics express its iconic nature. The formal concept arises from the mixed-use character, consisting four stacked geometric volumes. Two of these are slightly offset, and exactly aligned on the rear face. These gestures of displacement are designed to interrupt the robustness of the building and express an elegant sense of movement. The lowest volume houses the hotel, and the three volumes above it are allocated to office use by three different corporations, each occupying one volume in its entirety.

As a response to its urban context, adjacent to one of the city’s most significant urban highways, Americas Avenue, the building presents a façade resembling a double skin, enveloping it for its protection. The solar gain the building will receive on three of its four sides, was one of the most significant design challenges. For this reason, the faces respond to this need with recessed aluminum framing, in the style of a curtain wall, specifically designed at the correct angle to create shadows and avoid excessive solar gain. On top of this, the building uses double glazing offering a high degree of solar protection.


The ground floor is conceived as a plaza, a large public space, providing access and transit for the building’s various uses. A triple elevator core facilitates the operation of the hotel, offices, parking lot, and services. The vehicular and pedestrian entrances are set in a large plaza with textures and vegetation giving pedestrians priority over cars. The dominant textures used in the floor surface are natural limestone, which continues the geometry of the façade across the ground, with randomly-placed areas of paving.

As for the scope of the interior design of the tower, the spaces projected by the office were exclusively the office lobby, elevator halls and office bathrooms.

The purity and repetition of the lines of the façade grant it unique and timeless qualities that enhance its iconic character. As a result, it is the first building of this type in the west of the country to receive LEED certification.

Javier Sordo Madaleno Bringas, Honorary Fellow AIA

 

Torre Américas 1500 is the first stage of development of a whole complex. This first stage is located on a site measuring 4,116 m², with a built area of 29,461 m² distributed over 28 floors from the ground floor to the last office level, below the heliport. There are 7 basement levels covering a total of 28,509 m². The structural design is based on post-tensioned concrete slabs and a central circulation core.

Architect: Moonbalsso (Moon Hoon)
Design team: Kim Jaekwan, Kim Sookhee, Kim Haeree, Shin Jinseok , Jade Narrido, Jason Houliston
Location: Seoul, Korea
Program: House+Commercial
Site area: 68m²
Building area: 40.76m²
Gross floor area: 183.97m²
Building scope: 4F
Parking: 1
Height: 15.8m
Building to land ratio: 59.94%
Floor area ratio: 193.27%
Structure: RC
Exterior finishing: Exposed concrete
Client: Jeon gyeong deuk
In contemporary terms, this building named Dogok Maximum, designed by South Korean architect Moon Hoon, would be considered a mixed-use narrow house, combining a basement studio, a reception area, as well as a residence, and equipped with a compact elevator


I feel uncomfortable whenever I see contemporary buildings with large openings. Such an entrance could be even worse if it is for a residence because personally I think it is often feared that it would only allow too much light inside and violate my privacy. Of course, it can be controlled with a variety of devices, such as curtains or louvers, but they can’t be used as the fundamental solution. Thus, I proposed small and unique windows to my client for this project. At first, they were concerned that it would be too dark inside but it has resulted in a space that has both sufficiently bright spots and dark ones.


While I was blithely dancing along with the imaginary building line, in addition to my habit of desiring ‘to connect things that seem irrelevant with lines’, I also established the order of randomness and this became the basis for designing external appearance of buildings. Virtually projected on the building, the lines were left as decorative marks on the interior walls. The biggest reason for taking on an uncontrollable situation as a designer or handing over the role of designer to random events and chance is not because I am indifferent but because they often present better solutions than I.

The Crafted & The Natural Area: 1356.0 m²
Civil Contractor: Adhunik Infrastructure
Structural Engineers: BMSF Design Consultants
Other Consultants: Electrical Squaretech Engineers
Plumbing: DSR Engineering Services
Photographs: André J Fanthome


The Outré House in Delhi by Anagram Architects attempts a rediscovery of the singular and distinctive, specifically, in the working of humble materials - onsite and by hand; it attempts to do so by re-centering the bond between making and material

As processes of globalised supply and demand impact construction, fabrication and procurement logistics, greater value seems to be drawn from the extrinsic or exotic in terms of materiality and the machined in terms of form and technology. Ironically, the search for the unusual in contemporary urban architecture seems akin to a walk in a “walled garden” of ubiquitous aesthetics.

– Ar. Vaibhav Dimri

 

From bespoke concrete formwork and poured flooring to curved joinery and rhythmically notched masonry, the design releases its hand-made construction from the shackles of the straight line, giving it flight. It, thus, allows crafted details to overlay each other and to swarm all over the design rather than be restricted merely to points of material intersection.

Large urban residences are registries as well as articulations of filial, financial and aspirational value. Catering as much to their inhabitants’ needs as to their whims, they are, simultaneously, spaces of private indulgence as also objects of a more socially motivated aesthetic expression. Little wonder then that the luxurious and the exotic are sought in various ways from their design.

– Ar. Madhav Raman

 

Induced by the city grid and its volumetric controls, the urban residential form most commonly, and perhaps most simplistically, resolves into rectilinearity. This box-form resolution of the program unavoidably results in spatial compartmentalization, on top of which, real estate imperatives encourage apartment stacks of clunky laid out cookie cutter floor plates.


The curvilinearity of the building creates more fluid spatial formations and helps create smoothly transitioning spaces for social conviviality between the members of the resident family.

Outré House also rekindles the relationship between the crafted and the natural. The warp of the hand-made and weft of the verdant further position this design away from the industrial. The interweaving of precisely turned wooden louvres and vertically installed planters allows the vegetal to enmesh with the structural, coalescing into internal and rooftop gardens. This coupling of craft and foliage also underlines the bespoke floral chandelier designed by Mann Singh for the lounge.

Project | Mana, Ranakpur
Typology | Architecture & Interior, Hotel
Location: Ranakpur, Rajasthan
Client: Sheevam Comfort Hotels
Principal Architect: Akshat Bhatt
Design Team: Sneha Gurjar, Nidhi Khosla, Stuti Sahni, Debbayoti Dey
Total Cost: Rs.14.5 crore
Site Area: 65000 sqft
Built-Up Area: 65000 sqft
Completion Time: 3 years
Builder: Naveen Construction company
Structural Consultant: Isha Consultants
Project Lead: VP Aggarwal
Landscape: Plan Loci: Project Lead: Gauri Gandhi
Lighting & Electrical: Lirio Lopez. Project Lead: Linus Lopez
HVAC: Gupta Consultants & Associates: Project lead: Nirmal C. Gupta
Plumbing & Firefighting: Deepak Kumar & Associates: Project lead: Deepak Kumar
PMC: Architecture Discipline
Acoustic Engineering: Viren Bakhshi & Akshat Bhatt
Furniture: Architecture Discipline
Lighting: Rahul Singh & Akshat Bhatt
Photography: Akshat Bhatt

In this design by Architecture Discipline, there is a minimal palette of stone, glass, steel, and vinyl to craft an architecture that is both intense and bare-boned. The local and regional forms of expression are explored as vital resources to create an architecture that is eco-conscious and of a progressive disposition.


Location

Sited in the enchanted Udaipur valley in the Ranakpur province, the hotel is conceived to celebrate order and dissonance, continuity, stability, and the vernacular as an imbibed ethos. These values are celebrated through an architectonic intervention, form and material play in a region with a stark change of seasons and landscape, where the forest changes from lush green to bare and arid and the hills turn red during spring as the Tesu trees come to full bloom.

The Brief

Amidst the hills, with a clean, shallow river in the front, a km away from the famed Jain temple and adjoining a reconstructed old haveli, the client brief called for a boutique hotel that offers a unique experience for travelers in all seasons. Through this apparent harshness, extreme weather and striking landscape, the vernacular acts as a bare canvas and forms a stoic backdrop for this dramatic change of seasons. The site was extremely challenging as a reclaimed river bed with the water table at 600 mm. The hotel is fabricated in the frugal stone masonry, which is locally available.

Design Intent

Introducing the design intent of the building to the visitor as it is unraveled, allows for spatial intervention, layering, and repetition is used as a technique to establish the contrast and difference. The site is planned in a manner that upturns the land, as it opens up to the river on one side, while establishing contrast with the old haveli and the temple. The plan is derived from the time-honored 9x9 grid and the site was dotted with points that would then go on to become trees.

Normalcy is achieved through the grid, and deviations are used to break the order. Aligning the grid with the north-south axis through the linearity of the site, a 1.8 m wide sliver is fashioned for pedestrian movement that reinforces the linear planning on the site and brings in a strong order. Settlements happen along these linear walls, crafting straight views to the outside, helping the visitors orient themselves within the site.

Superimposition of these various layers establish a dynamic between architecture (constant) and the landscape (in motion through change). A huge Budh tree on the site with its large spread of about 25-30 m dia, is identified as a focal point; with views and movement orientated towards it, remnant of the tree-chaupal in villages. Some rooms look out into this public space using a modern, glassy interpretation of the traditional jharokha.


Environmental Consciousness

To reduce transportation, only local material was used and what was not available was prefabricated. Local ethnicity is visible in a regional material palette of Stone Masonry and Sandstone floors. For most part, local Rajasthani craftsmen and construction workers were employed.

Structural steel has been used as it is a long lifespan material, reducing dead load, and thereby, overall material consumption. The concrete consumption is insignificant for a building of this type and size. The spanning system is made with locally available Kashia stone - a sandstone that can span upto 3 meters and trusses are used to support it. Being in seismic zone 2, a lean, vernacular method of creating structural stability is adopted that allows for the creation of large spans. The steel joists that hold up the Kashia slabs are visible within the guest rooms. The main load bearing wall of the hotel cuts through the corridor one side, in contrast with the fabric panels on the other side. An acoustic ceiling cut down ambient sound.

Techniques, Technology, and methods of construction that draw from the region and are ‘of the earth’ but get lost in mainstream processes. Within this context, the design of Mana Ranakpur attempts to demonstrate the studio’s agenda of regional expression within a global context while being environmentally conscious, and without adopting predictable construction techniques.

Ar. Akshat Bhatt

 

Rainwater is harvested and Grey water from the sewage treatment plant is used to irrigate the hardy local trees. During construction, tree-cutting was avoided, and the external hardscape is constructed and recycled from waste materials accumulated during digging of the foundation. An exclusive HVAC system developed, uses Earth Cooling, Thermal Storage and Displacement Ventilation to reduce energy consumption. While conventional air-conditioning systems consume 40% of the energy used in a building, apart from lower energy consumption, this system also ensures better indoor air quality and avoids recycling.


Both water and air circulate in distinct open loops and air is exhausted from in-between the dry, sandwiched roof. Towers that emerge from the ground help to transfer air to the interiors, and work as a means of architectural expression evocative of the traditional forts of Rajasthan. Multiple layers of glass are used to generate draughts of air and to filter sunlight. The minimal heat transmitted through the glass is used to induce the displacement ventilation system. Jaalis with filigree are recreated in vinyl as a notional device to filter light and air for comfort.

Daylight ingress into the building eliminates use of artificial light. Night lighting is from the top with a hint of the sky, the jaali or the clear glass. Landscape lighting is de-cluttered, and is lit with borrowed light from the cottages and the hotel buildings. The overhang roof is used to bounce life from under the cottage and the overall intent is to orchestrate lighting in line with the running cables with no sharp rendering. Light from the west is a dramatic warm yellow, while bright southern light is used to bring luminosity into interior spaces.

Concrete is used to a minimum, hard edges are contrasted with timber warmth, and the structural system / construction techniques are expressed clearly with as little cladding as possible. The solid, minimal furniture in rubber wood and rosewood inlay as inserts reflects the environmental concerns of the hotel. The contrasting circular pattern in the perforations also mimics and expresses itself as an intention in the upholstery, linen and furniture. To blend in the local craft and culture, the furniture is sourced from local artisans and craftsmen.

The QEL building has been conceived and designed as an innovative variation of a portal structure to achieve an institutional look. It is the first-ever pre-engineered structure designed and built by a government organization.

Credits
Client: Spice Board of India
Location: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
Total Built-Up Area: 44,684 sq.ft (Basement + 4 floors)
Project consultants: IL&FS
Architects: The Novarch
PEB Structure design: Everest India Ltd.
Electrical consultant: Kirti Consultancy Services
HVAC Consultants; Himadri Engineers
Plumbing & Fire Fighting Consultant: Desarc Consultancy Services
PEB Building Contractor: Everest India Ltd
HVAC Contractor: Hitachi Home & Life Solutions


This Laboratory cum Training Center has been designed as per IS 800:1984 design provisions, IS 875- Parts I,II, III,V for loads & load combinations & IS -1893 -2002 for seismic loads. In order to achieve economy in design, all columns were considered box columns and “moment” frames were considered in both orthogonal directions. All floor slabs are designed as normal decking floors.

The G+4 + curved roof building with front glazing and ACP panels and all other required architectural features were incorporated in the steel structure, and have come out very well in the final finished building. The entire building was erected on site in 10 months.


This structural steel building has greater earthquake resistance and being a pre-engineered building, minimal water was consumed for construction in this drought year.

The detailed drawings of the building were prepared and the entire building was built in the factory and assembled at site. The project was completed within one year, including interior works and services.

The Quality Evaluation Laboratory building has been planned as a dynamic, clean modern building. It is complete structural steel building which has eliminated the conventional messy and time consuming reinforced concrete frame structure method of building.

 

Key features of QEL building, Mumbai

The building uses structural steel as the load bearing members covered with the flat deck slabs and insulated roof sheeting on top. The key benefits of this construction are:

• Clean factory made Pre-engineered structure designed and built to perfection. The detailed drawings of the building were prepared and the entire building was manufactured in the factory and assembled at site.
• Extremely quick method of building with minimum on site work. The entire project from excavation to the building structure to the services and the interiors has been completed within one year.
• Greater earthquake resistance.
• Larger spans and interesting building profile
• Low E-glasses have been used for glazing.
• Extremely energy efficient VRF system of air conditioning.

Spices Board set up this state-of-the-art Quality Evaluation Lab (QEL) at Navi Mumbai for pesticide residue analysis and microbial food safety in spices and spice products. The laboratory is a centre of excellence to decontaminate the pesticide residue in spices. It has elevated the services to meet the global standards and export quality spices. The building, inaugurated in May 2016, is the eighth such facility established by the Board in India.

Tata BlueScope Steel delivered a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with on-time completion in June 2017. It is one of India’s marquee projects for the Indian Defense sector under the aegis of ‘Make in India’.


In November 2015, Boeing and Tata Advance Systems announced a joint venture for manufacturing aero structures and collaboration on integrated systems development opportunities in India. This was a significant step in developing and promoting their ‘make in India’ capabilities for aerospace & defense manufacturing, and for becoming a global exporter in the Defense sector.

Tata Boeing appointed Tata BlueScope Steel for constructing their facility with TBSL’s pre-engineered building solutions. The key requirement of this project was on-time completion.

Scope of work

The scope for Tata BlueScope Steel included design, manufacturing, supply, project management and erection of BUTLER® building in Hyderabad, using the highest quality material with proven technology. On time delivery, leak-proof, functionally superior solutions, and low-cost maintenance were other important requirements. Interconnection of RCC building with PEB at near side wall and provision of future expansion for width of 27 m was the key design challenge.

Solutions offered

For this challenging project, Tata BlueScope Steel recommended BUTLER® Building Systems, which comes with MR-24 roof system, warranted for 10 years of leak-proof performance. The solution proposed by TBSL was able to provide superior functionalities that included higher column-free space, two levels of mezzanine floor inside the building, high value good storage, and an economic design.

Addressing construction challenges

Tata BlueScope Steel’s construction team played a vital role in shaping the project for Tata Boeing. Due to dependency on various external factors, the construction team faced numerous challenges while managing the site.

• Erection of mezzanine structure below the main building structure was the main challenge which our construction team executed safely by advance planning
• On-time handover of the entire project was carried out through effective implementation and erection step plan methodology
• Extra efforts were taken by project management team to deliver the material according to the erection sequence.

The result

Tata BlueScope Steel delivered a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with on-time completion in June 2017. It is one of India’s marquee projects for the Indian Defense sector under the aegis of “Make In India”. With superior quality material, skilled workmanship and advanced technology employed in the areas of engineering, project management, fabrication, roll forming and construction; Tata BlueScope Steel was not only able to meet the targets but even exceeded the expectations of Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited.

Tata BlueScope Steel through its customer-centric products and solutions has found its presence in India’s prestigious projects spanning various applications. The business is backed by a strong parentage of Tata Steel and BlueScope Steel, Australia, where quality and commitment are paramount. Tata BlueScope Steel is poised to deliver best-in-class coated steel products for the construction industry in India. Australia’s tried and time-tested products along with Tata Steel’s manufacturing expertise, has made TBSL the first choice for its customers.

Spread over 14,000 sq.ft, this three-storey residence in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is designed by Ravi & Nupur Architects as a grand abode, yet keeping it simple and comfortable in its living


The north facing residence has the maximum number of openings on the façade to allow ample light and ventilation. The vertical structure is artfully balanced with use of Jodhpur stone and earthy toned materials for a contemporary façade.


The residence is an inclusion of 30 different kinds of stones and materials used in a combination for the wall cladding and flooring Jodhpur stone and Silver travertine stone justify the streetscape, while incorporation of contrasting tones of granite, wood and designer tiles, add drama in the transition between the outdoor and the indoor spaces.


The ground floor has a large hall, kitchen and other utility areas. The first and second floors feature three bedrooms, and the top floor is a recreational space with a library, gym, jacuzzi, home theatre and gaming zones. The terrace above the porch has a pocket garden that brings in a green charm. A lift is the main transition space between all the floors. Technologically advanced systems for light automation, access, HVAC, solar water heaters, multiple flow showers in the bathrooms define the modernity of the house.

The challenge was to design15,500 sqft on an area of 5400 sqft, which led to the building’s verticality on a relatively low residential streetscape.

Ar. Ravi

 

There are 30 different kinds of stones and materials used in a combination for the wall cladding and for the flooring, mainly Jodhpur and Italian stones.

Ar. Nupur

 

Architect firm Kanvinde Rai & Chowdhury (KRC) has designed the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine – in STEM in Bengaluru with a focus on its sustainability


Site area: 45000 sqm
Total built up area: 29300 sqm
Initiation of project: 2012
Completion of project: 2017

The award-winning Stem Cell Research Centre is planned as an addition to the existing National Centre for Biological Sciences campus. The complex comprises a series of laboratories with meeting rooms, seminar halls, administration, library, museum including a large animal house facility.


The various functions are configured around a central triangular sky-lit atrium, predominantly transparent at the lower levels and opening onto a large open space, in association with the natural setting. The laboratory wings are arranged in L-shape with the library wing completing the composition. The adjacent facilities’ blocks with a stepped form, front onto terraces at all levels. The laboratory typology with support spaces of student areas, clean rooms etc. relies on vertical segregation of support facilities within a service floor, thereby, optimizing the usable space.


Additionally, insulation of the spatial envelope with double glazing, roof deck insulation and drystone cladding with an air gap aid in the reduction of energy consumption in the building. Solar energy is harnessed with building integrated photovoltaic panels for emergency lighting and solar collectors for hot water. The building is finished in a combination of rough granite cladding, offset by polished granite. Circulation areas are in rough granite, complemented by alternating strips of polished stone.

The building is inherently green with the integration of passive design features.

Ar. Sanjay Kanvinde

 

Design Atelier conceived the design of PADC Indian Oil Refinery in Panipat, Haryana, as a landscape-based rock formation


Project: Product Applications Development Center for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd
Building Use: Research Lab & Office Complex
Owner: IOCL
Size: 40,000 sqft
Design Team: Aashish Karode, Sushil Karer, Prosenjit Banerji, Utsav Pushp
HVAC Consultants: Creative Services Consultants (Samir Paul)
Structural Consultants: Charan Bhandari Consultants
Landscape Consultants: Artemisia
Contractor: HS Oberoi Builders
Plumbing Consultants: Krim Engineering
Electrical Consultants: Electro Consultants


The Plastics Application Development Center - PADC, is the Center for Excellence in Indian Oil Corporation’s research development thrust in Plastics Technologies. The Laboratory building is designed to take on an Iconic position in the refinery complex, signifying the focus on research and the future.

The Center is intended to significantly improve on building performance through the sustainable and conservative use of energy and other resources

– Aashish Karode

 

Conceived as a rock formation on a plain landscape, the building, built on a rock plinth with a glass lined central courtyard, returns the ground and the whole ensemble to the landscape. The double height inclined glass facade generates interest in the outside from all parts of the building connecting the occupants to nature.


The diagonal building parasol roof form orientation responds to allow self-shading from South and West, with larger surfaces on the benign directions of the North and East. It is visible as a presence in the serence landscape as sightlines show the form “in the round”. The entrance is a glass cube set amidst water channels at the base of the building that also collect rainwater.

The symbolism of the landscape, courtyard and the iconic architectural artefact create a unique ensemble of experiences

– Sushil Karer

 

The open plan scientific work environment is supported by views of the granite garden in the central courtyard, placed centrally in the glass lined interior courtyard. The garden and form can be experienced through all the glass-lined movement corridors and staircase cores. The idea of diverse experience- of graded light and shaded spaces, landscape variations are made at each pause and transition experience. The courtyard serves to relieve the bulk of the form and supply natural light to the floor plates inside.


The complex visual interconnections and interpenetrations of interior spaces are made through glass courtyards, corridors, and lobbies, together with the interplay of light and choices of just a few material finishes.

Key considerations,

• Passive solar
• Courtyard planned with tinted insulated glazing for maximum glare-free natural light
• Insulated roof and walls (double walls used with airgap and cladding)
• Roof angled to receive solar panels for all lighting loads
• Minimal self-shading opening along west/east and south face
• Zoned lighting and HVAC control
• Use of high efficiency low energy light fixtures
• Landscape follows ‘xeriscape’ concept – use of local foliage, minimal water usage
• HVAC - VRV systems used

Sedak, the glass manufacturer in Gersthofen, Germany, evolved lamination capabilities - real wood veneers in a 7 meter façade - for renowned architecture firm SOM’s design of a 24-level high tower accommodating apartments, offices, and a representative lobby with an extensive and elegant design dominated by glass and eucalyptus wood.


Construction board

Location: 111 S. Main Office Building, Salt Lake City / US
Standard: green building (LEED gold)
Architects: SOM Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LPP, San Francisco, USA
Façade Contractor: Steel Encounters Inc, Salt Lake City, US
Completion: 09/2016

Sedak Scope
940m² glass façade (lobby):
Wood-veneer laminates, 7.0 m high (3 x 12 mm)
57 glass units (façade) up to 10.9 m high (2 x 12 mm)
46 glass fins and beams up to 10.9 m high

Nothing less than the perfect symbiosis of glass and wood – is what the architects of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) wanted for a new 24-level office building in Salt Lake City, USA. The wood installed in the façade of the lobby “grows into” the 7 meter high glass elements. Sedak, specialised in oversize formats, to make this architectural vision a reality, developed a lamination technique that allows the German glass manufacturer to laminate real wood veneers in between the glass layers. Hence, the visual appearance is original and the wood permanently protected by the glass.

The architects had a clear vision of the office skyscraper’s lobby, which would have precious wood components that merge with 7 meter high glass elements. However, something like that had never been done before. The first suggestion was to use a photorealistic print, but was quickly rejected because the result of a print seemed not real enough to the architects. Therefore, the solution was to laminate real wood veneers in between the glass units’ layers. Then, integrating a natural, organic material in a glass unit without causing any damages during one of the production steps (e.g. tempering furnace), or losing visual quality almost sounded like a Herculean task. Thanks to a lot of experience and know-how in laminating glass, and a close cooperation of everybody involved, sedak found a way.

By letting the wood appear as if it was inserted within the glass, the building evolves its own effect. To manufacture such glass units, several challenges had to be met:

The raw material wood – eucalyptus in this case – is organic. It reacts to climatic changes like humidity and temperature and could shrink, become wavy, or burn. The lamination process (100° Celsius) had to be fine-tuned to be adjusted to the raw material.

Due to the warming in the autoclave, the SG interlayer gets smooth and the wood veneers on it change their position. But the final result had to show laminates being incorporated absolutely parallel wood veneers.

Wood veneers are only available in upto 3 m. For the 7 m high glass units, horizontal joints were therefore necessary.

Maic Pannwitz, Executive Vice President, Sedak office, New Jersey

The inspiration for the transparent façade was the Apple Cube – a perfect all-glass structure. The client demanded a transparent supporting structure for the project. Glass and wood define the appearance of the entire lobby. The required glass fins reach a height of nearly 11 m. Laminating wood in a glass unit – the technology until now, was only available in small formats and used in furniture designing e.g. for table tops. Façades with wood veneers had not been produced before – at least, I have not heard of any project. Statically, triple laminates would have been sufficient. However, we decided to use a four-layer build-up with a redundant piece of glass for the roof. That made the statics independent of the wood.

For logistics, the 7 m glass units were shipped in special wooden crates. In Salt Lake City, the temporary storage was located nearby which was perfect because they partly had to block traffic lanes for the transport to the site – but not only for our glass.

Designed by Jaione Vazquez, architect of the technical team from ULMA facades, the new skin of Ulma Architectural Solutions reflects modernity, elegance, cleanliness, and innovation.


It was in 2001 that the Ulma Architectural Solutions plant opened. The construction of the plant coincided with the launch of the new business line of Ventilated Facades, a new construction system that was beginning to take hold in Europe given its sustainability and energy saving capacity.


When it was decided to tackle the project with the facade renovation, the first intention was to convey a more organic feel through the textures, shapes and chosen colour, bringing it up-to-date with the present architectural development and the possibilities offered by ULMA’s polymer concrete.

It was important to show the versatility provided by the construction system and by the material for the re-composition of existing gaps, since there was the need to maintain the original support structure.

A double skin was placed on the curtain wall to protect the south-west facing area of the building from solar radiation. A lattice filters the light as well as provides a very innovative style to the facade. The primary structure of the Ventilated Facade has been maintained, while improving the thermal envelope by placing additional thermal insulation for energy saving and increased comfort.

The textures chosen were “paper” in a light colour that simulates organic cotton and “sandpaper” texture (black coal) for the main zone. The lattice has a design in line with the texture of paper; a bamboo plantation which is enhanced with night lighting. The renovation was carried out in two months, working only from the outside of the building.


The new facade shows the choice of colours, shapes and textures from the ULMA product range. The versatility of textures and the possibility of lattices allow different design and environment requirements with the same material requirements, reducing solar radiation as needed.

Aedas-designed Unilever Headquarters in Indonesia, is a unique building that incorporates three key elements of Indonesian culture – community, diversity and nature – into the design


Credits

Project: Unilever Headquarters
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Design and Project Architect: Aedas
Interiors: Aedas Interiors
Graphic and Signage: Aedas
Client: PT. Unilever Indonesia
Gross Floor Area: 50,477 sqm
Completion Year: 2017
Project Director: Kevin Jose
Project Design Director (Architecture): Steven Thor
Project Design Director (Interior): Steven Shaw

Unilever Headquarters located in the BSD Green Office Park, Jakarta, is the country’s first green office district which was master planned by Aedas. The office houses all employees from four separate offices in Jakarta under one roof. Aedas architectural and interior designs embody the global company’s vision, values and European heritage within the Indonesian context.

The new building is designed with the concept to support the spirit of community, collaboration, engagement, and agility. Referenced to the traditional village planning in Indonesia, it has a ‘square’, ‘main roads’, and ‘streets’ to create a sense of community. The planning is focused on engaging group and individual work into zones to induce collaboration while maintaining privacy.

The top four floors are office spaces with break-out areas; while the ground floor is dedicated to public and shared facilities. Surrounding the central, light-filled atrium that serves as a large event space, are common facilities including a mosque, staff dining area, daycare centre, fitness centre, beauty salon and a multi-purpose hall.

All community spaces are well connected to encourage interaction and embrace diversity. Indonesian batik fabrics, recycled teak timber, furniture and imagery of Indonesia used throughout the headquarters.

The building curtain wall system maximizes daylight penetration. The façade is clad with grey aluminum blade louvers of varying depth to provide shading and reduce heat gain. There are no enclosed offices in order to provide best access to natural light and views for all staff. Enclosed meeting rooms are placed around the core.

The indentations on the facade create indoor and outdoor green pockets. Each of the four building wings are connected by piazzas which are located where the building is indented. There are also outdoor landscaped decks and rooftop for staff and guests to enjoy.

The collaboration between UNstudio and MDT-tex triggered the development of new forms that required innovative and advanced textile engineering in the making of Eye_Beacon Pavilion for the Amsterdam Light Festival. The structure uses choreographed light sequences to alert visitors to its dual function as both a sculpture and an information point


The inspiration for the design of the Amsterdam Light Festival info booth pavilion originated from the theme of this year’s festival, biomimicry: the imitation of natural phenomena for the purpose of solving complex human problems. Focused LED projections present gradient color changes on the inside of the tensile structure, resulting in a constantly changing composition of light and colour.


The design is specifically inspired by the deep-sea world, where living organisms counteract the darkness of their environment by employing bioluminescence - often hypnotic pulsating light - as an attraction and communication mechanism. This magical vivid world formed the starting point for the sculptural, yet functional pavilion. The Eye_Beacon serves as both an attraction point and a ticketing/information booth for people visiting the festival. Located on the western side of the ‘Blauwbrug’, next to the river Amstel, the pavilion acts as a connection between the ‘Watercolour’ canal route and the ‘Illuminade’ land route.


For the structure, two cube forms are connected to one another by twisting surfaces. This results in 316 panels with uneven dimensions and therefore required the parametric optimisation of these surfaces to ensure efficient fabrication and installation.

All surfaces of the pavilion are constructed from tensile textile modules that together create a pattern of openings and reveal glimpses of the interior. MDT-tex designed 2D and 3D textile units which enable the twisting connection of the two cubes, resulting in a sculptural form strengthened by its components. The MDT-tex’ facade system is already designed for the future use of lighting and water harvesting systems.


MDT designs, manufactures, and supplies innovative, high-quality sun protection systems, membrane constructions, and custom-made products for textile outdoor architecture to customers all over the world. The company carries out the entire production process in its own modernized factories at international locations. This guarantees the highest quality for innovative products and ensures absolute supply security.

The planning by architect firm KGD of Manyata Tech Park Phase 4 reflects MFAR Developers’ commitment to conserving energy and maximizing efficiency from high-performance solar glazing to energy saving light bulbs

The following targets are part of the completed facility after construction stage requirements of sustainability are addressed: 50% of the roof and about 30% of the site at grade is planned to be landscaped with onsite parking also provided with a low spread foliage cover. The roof left over after landscaping and equipment is part of a health club and food court cover treated as a high albeido surface to prevent heat island effects. Landscape irrigation will be delivered with a centrally controlled irrigation system using drip irrigation in the root zone supplied by tertiary treated sewage effluent. Low water requirement species will be used. Vertical landscaping over parts of the MLCP exterior façade is proposed.

Low flow fixtures and dual flush cisterns are used throughout the facility. Sewage is treated to tertiary stages using an electrolytic degenerative oxidation process and reused for HVAC heat transfer by evaporative cooling and for external landscaping. Rainwater is harvested to recharge the ground water as well as partial storage and reuse. All pathways and paving at grade is of permeable surfaces to allow infiltration of rainwater.

While our endeavor is to achieve the best in absolute terms of sustainability, use of LEED and IGBC rating system is a tool for measurement against a standard that is available


Ar. Nejeeb Khan

Variable frequency drives are used for secondary chilled water pumps and AHU drives. Central Treated Fresh Air intakes at the rooftop are precooled using a heat wheel collecting toilet exhaust from conditioned spaces. Double skin AHUs are used to reduce losses in efficiency. All common area light fixtures will have energy efficient mercury and lead-free devices to reduce consumption and light pollution will be controlled on the exteriors with effective lighting design.

The entire development is a no smoking zone. Air leakage through façade elements is controlled by effective detailing and testing. AHU’s use MERV13 filters and fresh air intakes are 30% excess over ASHRAE requirements.

The shape of the plot is advantageous in terms of building orientation. The resultant floor plate is narrow and long, with the length aligned along the N-S axis except for the L part on the West façade, which will be provided with high performance glazing. Short span East and South ends are provided with little or no glazing and the East end is blocked with the services and toilet core to prevent excessive insolation entry. The L shape also aids to self-shade the South façade to some degree in the shadow studies.

The façade will be composed of sections to provide adequate daylight penetration and views while controlling glare. Thin floor plate enhances depth of daylight penetration from both sides. Use of recycled content will be incorporated in the structure as well as internal partitions and fittings. VOC emitting materials will be screened at the design and purchase stage. Plantation timber and certified wood will be incorporated in the design stage itself.


Smart card readers, Intruder Alarm System, emergency lighting, PDA system, perimeter protection, anti-blast film on windows, and ceiling mounted and dome-type CCTVs make up the security systems.

The Harvey Pediatric Clinic designed by Marlon Blackwell Architects is a progressive building that delivers a high-quality, efficient space

This new home of a thriving pediatric clinic based in Rogers, Arkansas, is situated in a land formerly dotted by silhouettes of singular objects such as barns, sheds, silos, RV vehicles and semi-trucks. The building is a silent yet strong contrast in figure and color to the excess of materials, weak forms, and beige tones that make up the surrounding suburban landscape. Its bold profile provides the Clinic’s identify while establishing a strong presence in the main commercial corridor in the area.

Cayenne-colored metal panel wraps the south elevation, which is lit from above along the edge with a skylight that stretches the length of the building. A portal at the ground floor creates a drop of area for patients under the elevated cayenne form. Tenant spaces on either side of the pass-through are wrapped in glass, providing a connection with the surrounding landscape and establishing visual and material separation from the upper floor.
Entering the building from the portal, one ascends a stair that is embedded in the “foot” of the structure. Blue glass in the skylight above washes the stair with blue light. The color creates a vertical threshold that suggests a place of healing. Fins along the eastern glass wall guard the interior from excessive solar exposure.


Sixteen exam rooms are organized along a loop corridor creating a simple circulation path from waiting room and check-in to the exam room and to the check-out. Skylights over the two nurses’ stations bring ample natural light into the center of the building.

The west end of the building houses the Clinic’s administrative functions. The Flex Space is the hub for the administrative staff. The double-height space is capped by the pop-up along the south half of the building, which contributes to the bold, figural shape and holds a mezzanine – a private break room – with a wall of glass to the north, allowing light to wash the interior and providing a visual connection to the sky. A break room for the staff at the west end of the ground floor looks out onto a small porch and garden.

The cayenne metal panel is a custom color that was developed specifically for the project. A standard, weathered zinc metal panel is used on the north side of the building, which is formally quieter yet abstract in its detailing. A ribbon window reinforces the horizontality of the form and the darker, cool gray recedes, giving emphasis to the saturated, warm color used on the south figure. A flat metal panel profile is used on the west elevation and soffit, while a box rib metal panel profile lends a subtle texture to the north and south elevations. Custom break metal trims are used throughout, allowing the detailing of the skin to reinforce the abstract quality of the building’s shape.

Credits	Pulls: Hager
Client: Dr. Bryan Harvey	Security devices: Best Access Systems
Owner: Pediatric Workplaces, LLC	Acoustical ceilings: CertainTeed
Gross square footage: 15,493 SF	Suspension grid: CertainTeed
Total construction cost: $2,989,058	Cabinetwork and custom woodwork: Kitchen Distributors
Mechanical, Electical, Plumbing: HP Engineering, Inc	Paints and stains: Sherwin Williams
Structural: Tatum Smith Engineers, Inc	Plastic laminate: Pionite
Civil: Bates & Associates, Inc.	Resilient flooring: Johnsonite
Landscape Design: Stuart Fulbright	Carpet: JJ Invision
General contractor: SSI, Inc	Downlights: Juno (Recessed Cans); Forum (Recessed Linear); Coronet (Troffer)
Photographer: Timothy Hursley	Exterior: Juno
Structural System: Steel frame with composite decking - Fig Tree Inc (Subcontractor)	Dimming system/lighting controls: Leviton
Exterior Cladding: Metal panels: Morin	Elevators/escalators: Otis
Roofing: Membrane Roof: Firestone Building Products	Drinking Fountain: Elkay
Glazing: Storefront: Kawneer and Ace Glass (Subcontractor)	Lavatory: American Standard
Entrance Doors: Kawneer	Water Closets: American Standard
Wood doors: Marshfield Door Systems	Sinks: Elkay
Locksets: Hager	Faucets: Symmon
Closers: Hager / LCN	Exit devices: Kawneer

The grandiose appearance of the concert hall is enhanced by the reflective partial coating ‘ipachrome design’ Elbphilharmonie

Location: Hamburg
Owner: Elbphilharmonie Bau KG, Hamburg
Architect: Herzog & de Meuron, Basel
Façade construction: Josef Gartner GmbH, Gundelfingen
Glass coating: ipachrome design
Glass processing: Interpane Plattling

Elbphilharmonie (Elbe Philharmonic Hall) is being described as “architecture of the century” and “the new emblem of Hamburg”. One of the features creating the unique aesthetics of the new concert hall is the individual “droplet coating” of each of the panes in the glass façade, many of which are curved, with the chrome-based multilayer system “ipachrome design” from AGC Interpane. The effect is like millions of tiny mirrors, which make the building shimmer differently with every change in mood of the ambient light.

With a light reflection factor of over 50% and transmission of only 4%, the coating is as highly reflective as a conventional silver mirror, but is significantly more durable and is therefore suitable for use in façades, where it needs to cope with every kind of weather for many years.


A total of 22,000 sqm of curved and flat façade glass were coated with ipachrome design, and some of this was further processed into insulation glass. The glazing thus constitutes an optically attractive design component with high awareness-creation value – but without any limitations on the functionality. The special coating can be tempered and processed into laminated safety glass, can be combined with iplus heat-insulation and ipasol solar-control coatings, and can be used in the construction of insulation glass.

Fundermax surfaces add character to hotel Brunton Heights’ façade, designed by architects Raghunandan and Nagendra of Parallax

The design of Brunton Heights, a boutique hotel in Bangalore’s Central Business District, by Architects Raghunandan and Nagendra of Parallax, reaffirms their professional belief that a structure, however trendy, should gel with the surroundings and reflect an organic comfort in being there.

Brunton Heights, aimed at the business traveller, integrates the greenery, nestled as it is amidst tall trees. The plot, imperfect, yet quaintly beautiful, presented exciting possibilities to the architect duo. A crucial aspect of the design was to develop an idea that could act as a thematic bridge between the concrete structure and immediate natural surroundings. It included identifying the exact surface material that would visually and functionally connect with the lush environment.

Once the design theme was approved, it percolated down from the drawing board to the execution team and the structure started developing a character and identity.

The vertical surface of the building was the platform that would sync with the immediate environment. The architect team chose Fundermax panels for the exterior façade for two important reasons.

First, it was the rugged and woody look of the panels. Second, it allowed fixing of the panels on a frame while maintaining a gap between the wall and the cladding, which provided insulation from weather extremes.


These apart, water compatibility, teak-like finish, subdued tones and precise machinability of the panels lent consistency and practical benefits to the structure. The applications were varied – on the walls, inside the balconies and on the lapsiding. Why, even the signage was made with it.

We believe in creating sensible architecture wherein every structure sets an example in urban refinement. For Brunton Heights, we chose Fundermax wood finish as it is in sync with the natural surroundings, and offsets the lush greenery beautifully.

Ar. Raghunandan & Ar. Nagendra, Parallax

Facade Material: Fundermax 0161, 0803 wood finish decors
Area covered: 350 sqm, across three segments
Application: Façade, Lapsiding and Soffit
Sales & Service Partner: Bangalore Protech Controls

The contemporary facade speaks a lot about the interior space.

Gone are the days when facades were independent bold statements, having almost no link to the interior spaces they encompassed. The contemporary facade speaks a lot about the interior space. The building exterior language translates in the interior space as well. Everything from facade elements and materials, the funnel inside the building to create an identity inherent to the building.

Fenestration being the most important connecting element between the inside and the outside, is taking new shapes and forms. Gigantic glass windows are being replaced by paneled windows, jaalis and screens. Anodized aluminium sections are being used to assemble doors and windows. They give the interior designer the flexibility to have larger openings with thinner mullions and multiple hardware options. A larger colour palette allows the designer to experiment and create a unified language for the building’s exterior and interiors.


The playschool school in Gurgaon designed by Intrigue Designs demonstrates the current trends with bold colours framing the fenestration in the building exterior and neutrals in the window sections. The window sections hold DGU glass for insulation and are partly openable. The facade colours were picked from the school logo and have weather-proof textured paint layers.

Ar. Pankaj Gandhi, VH Designs Studio

“Dual façade system increases the life span of a building as well, and helps reduce its energy consumption”
The Intelligent building system has brought a revolution with energy saving and the operational cost. At VHDS, we have been trying to explore various possibilities of new age façade with sustainability as its core. Semi-Tropical regions as in India have access to full sunlight almost the whole year long. Heat gain is one of the major challenge for architects. Single layer façade’s vulnerability to natural forces increases the energy consumption of a building. To balance this equation, the designed façade with sensible placement helps to have a sustainable, green building.

The dual façade system using local materials, which are easily replaceable, makes ease in the operation of a building. Fundamentally, the building envelope’s function is to exhibit the building with it’s true function and concept. The other function is to protect the building without compromising on the advantages of the outside views and natural light.


With globalization, Indian architecture has come to be influenced by global trends and designs in creating building envelops. However, buildings today have more vulnerable surfaces as compared to previous building envelopes.

Architecture with its basic principles, tends to protect the structure in its original form by virtue of its design or technical solutions. The dual façade system is one such contemporary solution to protect the building without compromising on ingress of daylight, ventilation, views and aesthetics of the building.

At this Louvered House designed by VH Designs Studio, there are louvers with full openings with inner backing of wooden sliding windows, which allow unrestricted air circulation with controlled intensity of air. The view is un-interrupted due to the large scale opening, which has been protected by the dual façade system.

Energy shortage in the country has pushed real estate developers to opt for ‘green’ solutions with a focus on five key areas: energy, water, material, indoor air quality and landscaping, writes Shruti Choudhari, VP, B L Kashyap & Sons Ltd, a leading construction, infrastructure and civil engineering company.Green building construction has seen a dramatic increase in India, growing at a CAGR of 30% between 2013 and 2016. India has the second largest green footprint at 3.59 billion sqft, second only to the US. In fact, green buildings are projected to grow 20% in the country by 2018 estimated to be 10 billion sqft by 2022. Some of the leading drivers are client demand, environmental regulation, and an enhanced awareness of the occupant and tenant benefits of green buildings.

Though the initial construction of a green building is 2-12% higher than a conventional one, however, the green measures and materials used bring operating costs down by 30%.

At B.L Kashyap, most of the green practices are as per Standard Operating Procedures from design to planning stage, with a full envelope covering Health, Safety and Environment, including procurement of materials (which must be within a specific radius of the site) to disposal of materials and waste recycling, identification of environmental friendly construction and shuttering systems as well as non-hazardous interior materials, finishes and paint. Bharti Realty Worldmark (Aerocity), Embassy Tech Village (Bangalore), Hero Factories are some of the recently completed LEED Gold and Platinum certified constructions executed by B.L Kashyap.

Case study
Hines One Horizon Center, Gurgaon, an office cum retail project developed by international real estate firm Hines and DLF Ltd, was designed by world renowned Robert Stern Architects. BLK was the general contractor for this project. Hines earned LEED Platinum certification under IGBC’s LEED India CS program in 2015.

Energy saving measures at Hines resulted in 14% reduction in energy demand as compared to a standard building. Green solutions include:

• Dual Pane high performance glass
• Chillers with VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives)
• Energy Efficient lighting, CFLs and day lighting
• Building orientation keeping sunlight and wind factors in mind
• VAV system of air-conditioning
• Sensors for operating and managing VAV/HVAC
• Natural gas based power source
• Storm water management
• Onsite sewage treatment plant
• Rain water harvesting & water recycling
• Low flow fixtures and automatic sensors
• CO2 sensors to enable good levels of indoor fresh air
• External AHUs with UV filtration to prevent harmful microbes from entering air conditioning systems
• Locally available materials for construction
• Non-hazardous paints, water proofing compounds, sealants, composite wood products and other low toxin emitting materials for interiors
• Concrete interlock pavers and cobblestones in hardscapes. These have joints filled with tiny stones; water seeps in through the open graded gravel base and into the earth. The joints make these pavers 100% permeable, which promotes the natural water cycle.
• Recycling of sheeting systems
• Roofs covered with vegetation planted over water proofing membrane create artificially altered surfaces by high thermal reflectance and high thermal emitting
• Over 30% of soil cover retained
• Minimized surface heat reduction
• Landscape maintained through recycled water
• Water sensitive plant groups used
• Organic waste compost for landscaping
• During construction, the topsoil removed was reused for landscaping, and sedimentation pit was provided to avoid soil erosion in excavated areas.

Other upcoming green construction practices/technologies include:

• Glass fiber reinforced gypsum (GFRG) panel building systems
• Monolithic concrete construction system using Aluminum Formwork
• Solar Air Conditioning
• Chilled Beams
• High performance envelope (cavity walls that have two skins of brick with a hollow space between or double glass)
• Wind Hybrid Solar System

Rakesh Reddy, Director, Aparna Constructions & Estates Pvt Ltd, shares details of the company’s greening initiatives in Aparna Sarovar Grandé at Nallagandla, Hyderabad

Built up area: 1,49,138 sq.mt
Architects: Genesis Planners
Green Construction Consultants: Conserve Consultants
Construction: Aparna Construction & Estate
Type of certification: IGBC Green Homes Version 2.0

Platinum rating with 81 points
Site Selection & Planning: 17 points
Water Efficiency: 18 points
Energy Efficiency: 14 points
Materials & Resources: 16 points
Indoor Environmental Quality: 11 points
Innovation & Design Process: 5 points

Aparna Sarovar Grandé sets a benchmark for sustainable site selection and planning that successfully engages with architecture to enhance life quality and continuity by maximizing energy and water conservation, and minimizing waste and heat generation.

The overall project design depicts high-performing architectural, mechanical and electrical design elements. It features efficient energy conservation measures like insulated roof, high-performance glazing, and reduction in LPD (lighting power density) of 30% from baseline, along with lighting controls that result in average energy cost savings of upto 16% from baseline building.

Aparna Sarovar Grandé is a Greenfield housing project that symbolizes how a luxurious lifestyle can prosper more within an environment-friendly one

Use of high-grade Pilkington Glass ensures better natural light, noise control, thermal insulation, and fire protection, without compromising on strength and stability of the building. It keeps the indoors cool in summer, warm in winter, and reduces monthly energy costs.

The glass, as well as the insulation of the terrace with a low U-value material, reduces heat transfer into the building. Solar cells generate 2.5 percent of the electricity used in the project, and 1 percent of the construction materials are from salvaged sources. Besides this, indoor environment quality is maintained with 80% of all regularly occupied spaces having an opening to the outdoors. Fresh air ventilation has been designed for living spaces, kitchen and bathrooms.

Mother Earth was preserved in 15% of site area by restricting the extent of the cellar. During excavation, all the top soil was preserved as a mound in the adjacent site, to be later used in landscaping, owing to its high fertility. 95% of construction waste generated has been diverted from disposal in landfills. More than 75% woods used in the project are rapidly renewable & FSC certified wood. Excavation and filling were minimized by opting for a Stepped Podium concept, where half of the blocks were designed on a raised podium, which gives stilt-like access to parking beneath, without the need for ramps.


Landscaping has been done with designated spaces for utilities and provision of on-site facilities. Plants and trees have been carefully selected to suit the local environment and the turf area has been reduced to less than 20% of the total landscape since it requires water for maintenance. The project landscape has been designed keeping in mind the site conditions and the need to preserve the biodiversity of the region, and a thousand species of flora have been planted.

Material Description	Product Manufacturer
Lifts	MIT Subishi
Plumbing Fixtures	GROHE
Irrigation Fixtures	Rainbird
Water Meter	Kranti
Air Conditioners	Daikin Air-conditioning
Roof	150mm RCC slab, 50 mm Screed Concrete,  50m Peripor Board (Over deck Insulation)  ,China Mosaic Tiled Roof U value -0.406 w/m2K
Glass	Pilkington VLT – 51%  , SHGC -0.41, U Value -2.84W/m2K
Roof Top PV Panels	Energy Exchange India Private Limited
Parking Exhaust Fan	Witt India - Jet Fans
Motors & Pumps	Grundfos Pumps India Private Limited
Lighting	FDL – 30% LPD reduction
Lighting Controls	Timer control for exteriors, common and parking area
DG Set	Kirloskar - Bio Diesel
Energy Meters	Elmeasure India Private Limited
Organic Waste Converter	Excel's Composting machine
CC Blocks	Aparna Enterprisers
RMC
Cement	Vasavadatta - Birla Sakthi
Steels	JSW Steels
Vitrified Tiles	Simpolo Ceramics , Gujarat
Wooden Materials	VK Patel & Co, SGS, Weng Meng Industries
Exhaust Fans	Bajaj
UPVC Windows & Doors, Ventilators	Aparna Venster UPVC
Paints - Interior & Exterior	Asian Paints
Sealant	Dow Corning
Adhesives	Pidilite

By treating and reusing on-site waste water for landscaping etc, there will be reduced consumption of potable water. Solar energy systems have been installed for outdoor lighting and for other purposes. Separate bins for segregation of waste & centralized waste collection in each floor. 100% of rainfall flow is been harvested.

We explained to every occupant the advantages, features and expectations of a green building and educated them how to properly maintain and utilize the energy conservation features.


Green Highlights

• Low VOC paints, adhesives and sealants used to minimize air contamination.
• Construction materials like steel, glass, cement, sand, etc., used were manufactured within 400 km distance from project site, thus reducing fuel consumption and carbon footprint.
• FSC certified wooden door frames and shutters.
• Water-efficient plumbing fixtures with flow rates lower from the base line installed, reduce water consumption up to 50.4%.
• On-site sewage treatment plant for treating waste water generated to reuse for flushing and landscaping.
• Installed Roof Assembly U values or the heat loss value is well-controlled from retaining heat and transmitting it to the apartments. This maintains a balance in the heat gained.
• Solar-E Blue-Green glass with low U Value from Pilkington for windows reduces heat ingress into residential units.
• Energy efficient electrical fixtures and parking garage exhaust systems
• Timer controls in distribution box for non-emergency exterior and common area lighting.
• Professionally planned landscaping for avoiding ‘heat island’ effect.
• 96% of non-roof impervious area covered with grass pavers and shaded by trees.
• China mosaic tiles and vegetation on roofs.
• Hybrid DG sets that run on biofuel reduce emission of greenhouse gases and dependency on expensive fossil fuel.
• On-site renewable energy systems to offset building energy costs.
• BEE 4-star rated pumps & motors and group controls in lift.
• Solar PV panel systems (off-grid) with a capacity of 140 KW installed on roof of every tower.
• Central shut-off valves, drip irrigation for landscape planting beds, moisture sensor controllers, and pressure regulating devices for water conservation.
• The Building Envelope uses materials for lesser energy consumption and reduced adverse health impact on occupants. The roof has over deck insulation and China mosaic tiles, glazing, cement with fly ash content, CC blocks with recycled content, vitrified tiles, FSC certified wood, low VOC paints, sealants and adhesives.