NEW VISTAS

FAÇADES ARE AN IMPORTANT ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT THAT GIVES A BUILT SPACE ITS IDENTITY AND LOOK, WHICH MAKES THEM A VITAL DESIGN ELEMENT – ESPECIALLY THE LATEST ONES ON OFFER

- BINDU GOPAL RAO

Façades are the most important building element from both users and architects’ point of view. Designers are constantly researching and experimenting with new kinds of façades using different materials like rusted iron panels, copper, even high-pressure laminates, wood and wood finishes.

“The new age innovation in façades revolve around users’ comfort, along with being energy efficient. The use of sustainable and eco-friendly material is finding a market in demand for itself in the façades industry,” says Saurabh Sood, founder of Nature Homes.

Häfele offers a specially-engineered range of ultra-compact slabs from Dekton (Spain) that can be used for exterior applications like wall cladding. Vikas Pandita, product manager, Surfaces and Water Solutions, Häfele India, avers, “The material is impervious and does not allow moisture to settle on the walls, resisting the development of agents like fungus. It also helps in conservation of energy as the external heat is not easily transferred to the insides of the building and vice versa.”

In the past, the façade methodology remained complementary to the structural systems, along with other factors like climate and aesthetical preferences. “With the inception of framed structures, precast and prefabricated façades are going to define future façades, and we are sure that prefabrication and modularisation strategies are being adopted,” says Anu Prabhakar, principal architect/ VP, Housejoy.

DO THE NEW