FAҪADES & FENESTRATIONS: OF AESTHETICS & FUNCTIONALITY

WITH GREAT INNOVATIONS TAKING PLACE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TODAY, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT WHEN IT COMES TO THE MATERIAL, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY BEING USED FOR FAÇADES AND FENESTRATIONS TODAY.

- BINDU GOPAL RAO

It is clearly the façades that set the context of a project. Facades and fenestrations play a very important role in connecting the exterior and interior functions of a building.

A BALANCE OF AESTHETICS & PRACTICALITY

While the functionally inclined, small-scale structures favour cost-effective fenestrations and their tasteful composition, the aesthetically inclined, towering structures seek a compelling façade to stand out amongst the mass of modern cityscape. “Yet, both façades and fenestration root for a harmonious balance of the aesthetic and practical interpretations, where the sensible spatial shell, quality framework, energy-efficient skin, fine-sourced materials and stimulative composition coexist. In the function-to-form sequence of design, the functionalities are first worked with, leading to the envisioning of the enveloping aesthetic,” says Deepak Kalra, Principal Architect, RMDK. The right balance of solid and voids on the façade could be a better way to tackle our kind of tropical climate. Parag Singal, Principal Architect, Parag Singal Architects, says, “Aesthetics can very well be achieved even with this kind of approach. Contrary to this is the concept of second skin, more suited to a west facing façade, where the solar ingress is minimised through a second skin façade which helps in filtering the heat. At times, the gap between the two skins also acts like an insulation barrier, thus creating a micro-climate in that zone, which again helps in further reducing the heat inside the building.”

TECHNOLOGY TAKE