THE FACADE FACTOR

THE SKIN OF A BUILDING, A FAÇADE DOES MORE THAN JUST MAKE A STATEMENT. IT HELPS THE BUILDING BREATHE, REDUCES DEPENDENCY ON ENERGY, AND FRAMES THE VIEW FOR THOSE WITHIN.

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The façade is the building's interface with the external T environment, and it filters light, heat and air that operate in the internal ecosystem. It also ensures that it gives the building an identity and an expression to the creativity of the designer, besides setting the tone of a building and its occupants.

A carefully designed façade building has an unmistakable identity even as it enhances the appeal of the surrounding area. Glass facades come with several benefits, including their ability to help the users of the building feel more connected to the outside world. Little surprise that they are a big hit with commercial buildings and hotels. We speak to architects, developers and façade experts to find out what makes glass buildings a hit and what must be given a miss!

HITS

Green Facades: Glass buildings that are contextual, have a green element and offer unobstructed views are a great success. As Hartmut Wurster from Blocher and Partners rightly puts it, "With the concrete jungle we have created, it is almost our responsibility to give it back to our cities by creating facades that are interspersed with greenery. Moreover, there is enough research that prove that greenery helps increase productivity at a workplace, besides encouraging wellness and decision making."

Façade consultant Anand Kapadia of Vibrant Facades agrees, "Green facades are an ideal way to add an element of greenery to spaces and it certainly helps the building and the people within to perform better."