Building Personified

editor speaks 

"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us." 

- Winston Churchill 

Editor & COO*: Sheldon Santwan 

News Editor: Odelle D’Silva 

Editorial Coordinator: Alma Odil 

Editorial Team 

Mumbai 

Apoorva Nandish, Disha Shah Ghosh, 

Shilpa Shankar Iyer, Itee Sharma 

New Delhi 

Bureau Chief: P Krishna Kumar 

Sr. Reporter: Akansha Pandey 

Online Co-coordinator: Manasi Ranade 

Advisors (Technical) 

Prof. Akhtar Chauhan 

Principal, Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai 

Ar. Karan Grover 

Karan Grover & Associates, Vadodara 

Ar. Manit Rastogi 

Principal Architect, 

morphogenesis, New Delhi I Bangalore 

Prof. K. Jaisim 

JAISIM-FOUNTAINHEAD, Bangalore 

Ar. Dikshu C. Kukreja 

CP Kukreja Architects, New Delhi 

Marketing Team 

VP - Business Development: Vinay Coutinho 

Mumbai 

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Online Sr. Executive Sales: Diksha Singh 

Pune 

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NEW Delhi 

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Hyderabad 

Regional Manager (North): Y S Venkatswamy 

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Circulation: Amol Thakur 

Subscription & Database: 

Rameshwari Salunkhe, Darshana Bhosale 

Design Team 

Senior Designer: Madhukar Ingavale 

Designers: Jitendra Nate, Haresh Limbale 

*Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act 

The dynamism of a building façade has transmuted the character of a building 

over a period of time. Façade as a reflection of the disposition of a building, is 

a story of the past. The topsy-turvy in the Indian architecture and construction 

industry has brought a paradigm shift to the sculpting of small scale projects - 

furthermore. Well, this isn't an alien development to human existence; it took a 

snail pace to accept the evolution of façade systems in India which rather 

retarded the change. But in this drive, are we overlooking the basic design 

vocabulary - sensitive designing? 

Speaking about the developments, varied permutations and combinations of 

louvre systems have taken on a 'smart' drive which transcribes material and 

technology innovation in revolutionising the pattern language of a building 

envelope. SDU Campus Kolding by Henning Larsen Architects exemplifies this 

adaptation - the extent of dynamic façade expression. Besides its 'kinetic' 

language, the charismatic aesthetic via contemporary techniques, in adieu to 

the traditional one, embraces the socio-political background and geographical 

context. 

This dramatic evolution in the façade designing owes its gratitude in some 

measure to the 'Green' movement. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, these 

systems are efficient at controlling optimum daylight infusing the interiors, 

reducing energy consumption and air conditioning of interior spaces to the 

occupant comfort. To address these factors, strong mechanisms and 

techniques, materials and technologies must be in place. It is nonsensical to 

use high VOCs and low absorption co-efficient (or transparent) materials - it's 

a vague match for an energy-efficient building! 

Today, the usage of computational tools has surpassed our designing process; 

numerous parameters assigned to test the viabilities of its function augments 

our design (perceive) skills. Ar. Sushant Verma convolutes the extent of 

computational tool in envisaging a better society to live in. Although it may 

sound idiosyncratic to technology challenged people, it's the future of 

designing! 

Grace and Peace 

Printed and published by Bharat Bhushan Bahal on behalf of 

Saffron Synergies Pvt. Ltd., published at Sterling House, 5/7 

Sorabji Santuk Lane, Off Dr. Cawasji Hormasji Lane, Dhobi 

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J. S. S. Road, Murlidhar Temple Compound, 

Near Thakurdwar P. O, Mumbai - 400 002. 

Editor: Sheldon Santwan 

04 Architecture Update September 2015

INDEX 

INDEX OF ADS 

Page nos. 

Anchor Awards 2015 ....................................................................................03 

Asian Business amd Conference Ltd.........................................................BC 

Classic Marble Company............................................................................IFC 

Encraft India Pvt. Ltd. ................................................................................IBC 

Jindal Aluminium Limited ............................................................................07 

K-LITE Industries ...........................................................................................57 

Supreme Industries .....................................................................................05 

UBM Index Fairs..........................................................................................35 

Umicore India Ltd ........................................................................................15 

RESPONSE 

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Contents 

SEPTEMBER 2015 ISSUE 8 VOLUME 09 

REVOLUTIONIZED 

‘JALI’ 

Sanjay Puri Architects 

IN FOCUS 

Façades with Symbolic Powers 

16 18 20 23 26 30 34 

THE CHANGING 

FAÇADE 

LANGUAGE 

Dr Prashanth Reddy 

FunderMax India Pvt Ltd 

DISTINCT IDENTITY 

Abin Design Studio 

DESIGN COALESCE 

Henning Larsen Architects 

DEEP INSIDE THE CRUX! 

Dr Sanjay Bahadur 

Pidilite Industries Ltd 

TO SUBDUE THE 

WILDERNESS 

Morphogenesis 


LET THERE BE 

LIGHT; AT WILL! 

R Subramanian 

Saint Gobain India Pvt Ltd 

ECLECTIC DESIGN VOCABULARY 

Casamanara 

ALGORITHMICALLY DESIGNED 

FAÇADES FOR CLIMATIC 

ADAPTABILITY 

Ar. Sushant Verma 

rat[LAB] Research in Architecture & Technology 

DRAMATIC ELEGANCE 

Fenny G 

36 38 40 44 48 51 

55 

DESIGN 

TRANSCENDENCE 

Studio Avni 

THE WORLD OF 

FENESTRATION 

Robert Hoellrigl 

ENCRAFT India Pvt Ltd 

SUSTAINABILITY HAS NO 

BENCH MARKS 

Ar. Rajiv Khanna 

Studio KIA 

Architecture Update September 2015 09

Pulse 

architecture 

India’s first Typewriter Sculpture 

Godrej Archives, the business 

archive of Godrej Group, in line 

with its philosophy –Restore. Reflect. 

Reimagine – gave a new lease of life 

to its last batch of typewriters by 

collaborating with Jeremy Mayer – 

the world’s only known typewriter 

sculptor. Using these typewriters, 

Jeremy created an exclusive Lotus 

sculpture for Godrej & Boyce under 

its ‘Artist in Residence’ programme. 

The magnificent sculpture was 

unveiled by Navroze Godrej and 

Pheroza Godrej at Hubble in Godrej & 

Boyce, Mumbai. 

The approximately 13 feet tall metallic 

Lotus has been sculpted using parts 

from 60 typewriters manufactured in 

the last batch by Godrej & Boyce. It 

consists of 15 petals with each petal 

being made with more than 200 parts 

from the typewriters. “We have used 

60 Godrej typewriters for the 

sculpture, inspired by the Godrej 

Archive ethos”, said the celebrated 

Jeremy Mayer. 

On the occasion, Navroze Godrej, 

Executive Director, Strategy & 

Innovation, Godrej & Boyce said, 

“The typewriter has always intrigued 

me for being one of the earliest 

design-led technology that India has 

witnessed. Beginning from locks, 

refrigerators, vegetable oil soaps to 

typewriters, I believe Godrej has 

always been shaping the future with 

design and innovation being the key 

drivers. Art continues to be one of 

mediums through which we showcase 

our passion for design and innovation 

and hence Godrej Archives has 

collaborated with Jeremy for not only 

celebrating the 54 years journey of 

manufacturing typewriters but also to 

inspire and nurture imaginative 

thinking that drive innovation and 

develop futuristic technology.” 

In the year 2009, Godrej made the 

last manual typewriter that was sent to 

the Godrej Archives. This marked the 

end of manual typewriters. The last 

batch of Arabic typewriters 

manufactured at Godrej was not 

introduced in the market and the 

machines remained on the campus as 

a silent reminder of a bygone era. 

This masterpiece by Godrej and 

Jeremy serves as a tribute to that 

golden era of typewriters. 

Jury Panel: CP Kukreja Awards 

for Design Excellence 2015 

CP Kukreja Architects, one of the 

top architecture firms in India 

had announced it’s prestigious 

design competition, CP Kukreja 

Awards for Design Excellence 2015, 

early in May. The finale for the 

competition will be held at The Lalit 

Hotel in New Delhi on September 

26, 2015 where top 10 participating 

projects will be identified and 

honoured for their radical design 

concept. 

The distinguished jury panel 

includes Kiran Nadar – Owner of 

Kiran Nadar Museum of Art and wife 

of Shiv Nadar (Owner of HCL 

Computers), Javier Quintana – 

Renowned Architect from London, 

Olivier Vidal – Renowned Architect 

based out of Paris and New York, Dr 

PSN Rao – Chairman, Delhi Urban 

Arts Commission, Prof. AGK Menon 

– Convener of INTACH, Dilip Cherian 

– Owner of Perfect Relations, Raj 

Liberhan – Director, India Habitat 

Centre, Prof. K T Ravindran, Former 

Head of School of Planning & 

Architecture, Mili Majumdar – 

Director Tata Energy Institute ( TERI), 

K S Radhakrishnan – Renowned 

Sculptor & Artist, and Motti 

Abramovitz , Renowned art 

aficionado based out of Singapore, 

Tel Aviv and New York. 

Dikshu C Kukreja, Managing 

Director, CP Kukreja Architects, said, 

“We intend to be the harbinger of 

futuristic ideas in the design space 

and through this platform we intend 

to create an ecosystem that will not 

only champion innovation but also 

encourage the inclusion of 

sustainable approach in urban 

landscape.” 

Prajapati Group bags ‘Best Architecture in 

Residential Category’ Award 

Leading Navi Mumbai-Raigad realty developer Prajapati Constructions was 

conferred with the Award for Best Architecture in Residential Category in the 

National Awards for Excellence in Real Estate & Infrastructure. They bagged this 

award for their project ‘Prajapati Magnum’ in Dronagiri, Navi Mumbai. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present in the Award 

Ceremony which concluded in Hotel Taj Lands Ends in Bandra, Mumbai. 

SOBHA Launches Bengaluru’s First 

Boutique Homes – ‘Sobha Clovelly’ 

India’s major real estate player, Sobha Limited has launched the first of its kind 

boutique homes – ‘Sobha Clovelly’ at Padmanabhanagar in Bengaluru. Set 

over 3 acres of land space, Sobha Clovelly introduces the boutique living 

concept at Bengaluru whereby, each resident benefits from being part of a 

contemporary, stylish and exclusive development, strategically positioned within 

Bengaluru’s blue ribbon area (with close proximity to well established inner city 

suburbs such as Jayanagar, JP Nagar, Banshankari and Kadherinahalli). These 

boutique living spaces are unique in design and possess a definite and distinct 

style. Atmosphere also plays a very important role in defining a boutique 

apartment. In the context of boutique apartments, the atmosphere comprises of 

decor, ambience and location which lends it a unique identity. Sobha Clovelly 

stands tall along a geographical ridge, thus capitalizing on the beautiful vistas of 

the city’s skyline. 

The name Clovelly draws inspiration from two small exclusive communities; 

one, a seaside village in Devon, UK and the second, a beach suburb in Sydney. 

Both are akin to one another as both are relatively small exclusive communities 

surrounded by natural beauty. Similarly Sobha Clovelly is blessed as it is 

surrounded by beautiful mature trees offering an amazing view with an excellent 

habitable space for an intimate community. The designers of Sobha Clovelly 

have centrally placed the swimming pool and large water cascade to 

deliberately evoke the seaside reference of the Clovelly cousins. 

With spacious living area amidst parks, these boutique-styled homes from the 

house of SOBHA offers 137 ultra-luxurious homes comprising 3 BHK 

apartments and 4 BHK duplex apartments. With over 50% of the tower’s facade 

being glass, ultimate panoramic views become achievable. Architecturally, the 

building consists of two towers connected by the main entrance drop off and 

lobby. The common facilities have been designed to provide a recreational 

experience at par with a luxury boutique resort. There are pre-existing 

magnificent mature trees at the site. A large banyan tree has been respectfully 

considered in the architectural design by avoiding construction within its canopy 

span. All other mature and significant trees have been incorporated within the 

architectural master plan, which in effect has created a serene look. 

Common facilities include an elevated infinity swimming pool, gymnasium, 

yoga studio, badminton court and multipurpose hall. The infinity swimming pool 

is elevated to connect the swimmer with the surrounding views, enhancing the 

feeling of seamless connectivity between water, landscape and sky. The 

gymnasium and yoga studios are also well elevated to enable residents to enjoy 

indoor exercising whilst being visually connected to the vibrant exterior views. 

The Badminton court is also elevated to enable excellent natural ventilation 

which in turn enhances sporting performances and the playing experience. 

Interlinked with these activity zones is a tree lined jogging track that journeys 

through the varied landscape features. 


Pulse 

brand 

Dr.Fixit Organizes Free Health 

Check-Up Camp for Contractors 

Dr. Fixit, the construction and 

waterproofing expert from the house of 

Pidilite Industries Ltd, once again 

demonstrates its commitment towards the 

well-being of its partners, i.e. Contractors 

and construction workers, by organizing a free 

professional health check-up camp at its 

headquarters in Andheri, Mumbai on August 

27, 2015. 

The health camp initiative by Dr.Fixit will 

primarily focus on providing freedom from respiratory disorders – the primary 

occupational hazard for workers in this segment. With real estate at an all-time 

high and construction projects mushrooming across major cities, respiratory 

disorders caused by inhalation of airborne dust particles form one of the most 

lethal groups of occupational diseases in the contemporary market landscape. 

Activities within the realm of construction like cutting kerbstones, stone masonry, 

surface grinding, tunnelling, crushing and removing rubble, among others, 

greatly increase the risk of exposure to hazardous substances that damage the 

lungs. With a majority of the physical labourers employed in construction 

belonging to the unorganized segment, they are often not eligible for free or 

subsidized care. 

Workers in this sector are exposed to multiple physical, chemical and biological 

agents which make them vulnerable to various respiratory problems. Inhaling 

certain gases and fumes in the workplace causes diseases like asbestosis, 

silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and even lung cancer. 

At the free professional health check-up camp, besides checking for symptoms 

of respiratory diseases and lung infections, Dr. Fixit will also partner with yoga 

experts to train the attendees in basic breathing techniques. Additionally, 

laughter therapy sessions too will be conducted during the health check up 

camp. 

To add further Dr. Fixit, the waterproofing expert, re-launches their new and 

improved Dr.Fixit app with some advanced features. The mobile app would assist 

the users in finding best waterproofing solution recommendations, even while on 

the move. The app provides various benefits to all the key stakeholders, 

especially Architects, Builders, Consultants, Contractors, Engineers, and 

Applicators. The app offers features like technical drawings of the waterproofing 

system; Cost Calculator for material price; solution for creating a complete 

waterproof envelope of the structure, News and Views, Utility aides etc. the links 

on the app: It connects with other social media interfaces such as Web-chat on 

Dr.Fixit Website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Channel for Dr. Fixit. 

Classic Marble Launches 

Kalingastone’s Esclusiva 

Classic Marble Company (CMC) is the 

dominant player in the natural stone and the 

largest manufacturer and supplier of 

agglomerate engineered stone under its flagship 

brand Kalingastone which is a one-stop-shop for 

engineered marble and quartz products. 

Its latest products in the Esclusiva collection are 

Calcutta Gold, Crema Nova and Emperador 

Scuro which are successful innovations and have immediately been absorbed by 

the markets, not just in India but internationally as well. 

Calcutta Gold – Calcutta Gold is a creamy white marble with gold veins flowing 

through it. There are also consistent grey spots on the overall white background 

that gives it a unique look. 

CMCCrema Nova – Crema Nova is a beige coloured marble with medium grain 

and fairly uniform background. The marble is most commonly used in interior 

applications. 

Emperador Scuro – Emperador Scuro is dark brown in colour with an abundance 

of white veins. You can choose to install it exclusively or blend it with white 

/cream or beige coloured marble, whichever complements your décor the most, 

to create a classy look. 

Hansgrohe Celebrates 20th 

Anniversary with Joco 

Twenty Years of Water Fun with Joco. 

For twenty years, Hansgrohe’s 

colourful hand shower has been making 

sure children enjoy taking a bath. The 

mixer and shower specialists developed 

Joco in 1995 together with their 

longstanding partner Phoenix Design. 

“The product is especially designed for 

children. It has an animal-like appearance 

with a crest on its head that’s fun to play 

with and fascinating googly eyes that 

make the hand shower lively and funny. 

Kids still love it today,” says Tom 

Schönherr, Managing Partner at Phoenix 

Design.Bright colours and a soft spray 

The multi-coloured hand shower for children features two spray modes: a 

stronger normal spray and a soft spray that lets water flow gently over a 

toddler’s head. And there’s an easy remedy for lime scale build-up: a slight 

twist of the showerhead gives Joco a beard. This green stubble removes lime 

scale in a flash. The fun hand shower for children comes in a colour 

combination of red, yellow, blue and green. “We intentionally chose primary 

colours when we developed Joco. These colours are particularly easy for 

babies to see,” explains Tom Schönherr. 

Sleepwell Unveils ‘My Mattress’ 

Sleepwell India’s leading mattress brand of the Sheela Group has ushered 

in its latest range of mattresses under the name ‘My Mattress’. 

‘My Mattress’ is a unique concept that has been launched for the first time in 

the Indian mattress market, aimed at enabling a customer to conveniently 

choose his preferred sleeping surface. 

Excited about the latest addition to the portfolio of Sleepwell mattresses, 

Rakesh Chahar, Sales 

and Marketing Director, 

Sheela Group said, 

“We are thrilled to 

unveil our new My 

Mattress range of 

mattresses. A unique 

concept that is going 

to revolutionise the way 

consumers choose the 

right mattress for 

themselves. It is a 

fusion of technology 

and buying 

convenience that gives 

a distinctive edge to 

our My Mattress series.” 

He further added, “My Mattress is a path breaking idea that meets two 

primary objectives: 

1.The need for individual surface preferences: Be it a hard mattress or a 

medium hard mattress, or a soft mattress, all are available under the My 

Mattress series. It makes it very simple for a consumer to choose the right 

mattress for himself, something that is a very difficult process today. The wide 

range and sizes, different materials, many thicknesses, fabrics and finishes, 

varying guarantees, many price points, etc. has only made the whole process 

of mattress purchase very complicated and confusing. As a result often the 

consumer ends up buying the wrong mattress and then continues to suffer 

from poor sleep for a long time. 

2.All surface feels at the same price point: The Sleepwell My Mattress range 

offers all surface preferences be it a hard mattress, a medium hard mattress 

or a soft mattress at the same price point. 

‘My Mattress’ range of mattresses is available across all leading stores of 

India with a price ranging from INR 10,500 to INR 22,000 for double size 

mattresses. 


new launch 

Bleu Concepts 

launches their 

“COOL” Kitchen 

Bleu Concepts, known for 

a wide range of kitchens, 

wardrobes, furniture and 

storage solutions recently 

launches affordable “Cool 

Kitchen”. The Cool Kitchen is 

designed in compact module 

sizes readily to best fit in all 

types of site sizes. The 

concept is inspired from an 

Island Kitchen style, having a 

small hob with Island 

chimney combined with 

sitting counter 

accommodating a small 

storage for things of daily 

use. The Cool Kitchen is 

coated in laminate and duco 

paint further giving it a 

contemporary look and 

making the Kitchen very 

affordable and is available in 

varied shades of brown. The 

Kitchen fits very well 

especially where there is a 

combined dining and in order 

to retain the compactness of 

the kitchen. The shutters are 

pre laminated used with a 

combination of white paint to 

avoid rust to settle in and is 

made up of high quality MR 

grade plywood. 

Ideas Kitchens 

Interiors 

Introduces 

‘Cook & Serve 

Kitchen’ 

The latest kitchen 

transformation from Ideas 

Kitchen n Interiors by Seema 

Khosla provides a huge span 

of options in kitchen where 

one can have their meal as 

well. 

The ‘Cook & Serve Kitchen’ 

range of modular kitchen 

setups by Ideas Kitchens n 

Interiors gives an adjustable 

kitchen setup which can be 

expanded and converted as 

a dining space. This kitchen 

range is designed in such a 

way that it saves a lot of 

space and gives a room to 

walk and work freely in the 

kitchen. 

“Cook & Serve Kitchen’ 

range has built-in cooking 

hob which is in trend, 

nowadays, due to overall 

aesthetics as it almost sits 

flush with the counter top 

and appears as a part of it. 

We have given an extra pullout 

slide which can work as 

a dining table as well, and no 

one can make it out whether 

it’s a cooking workstation or 

a dining area. The entire 

range is crafted with 

plywood, wood veneer and 

Quatrz and has open grain 

polish and PU lacquered 

finish,” describes Seema 

Khosla. 

Smart 

Technologies for 

Public 

Washrooms by 

GROHE 

Efficient cleaning, customised 

control options and effective 

protection against vandalism are 

some of the key criteria which 

led to the development of the 

latest electronically controlled 

GROHE systems. 

Smart control & monitoring 

The latest generation of 

electronically controlled GROHE 

products for wash basins, WCs 

and urinals incorporates is 

smarter than its predecessor. All 

products incorporating the new 

technology communicate via the 

new GROHE infra-red remote 

control. In addition, the 

company offers a wide range of 

Bluetooth-equipped products. 

The new remote control is 

compatible with all old and new 

infra-red-enabled GROHE 

products. 

The perfect combination of 

design & functionality 

The spout of the new touch-free 

GROHE faucet, Eurosmart 

Cosmopolitan E, is raised at a 

seven degree angle. Apart from 

adding an elegant accent to the 

washroom décor, this angled 

design also offers functional 

benefits of more free space for 

users hands below the spout. 

GROHE temperature sensor for 

urinals 

GROHE is also launching an 

innovation for urinal flushing 

systems in public wash-rooms 

– a temperature sensor which is 

placed below the siphon. This 

“invisible” installation affords 

optimum protection against 

vandalism. 

Roca’s Nexo 

and Gap 

Rimless 

Collections 

Roca launches its Gap 

and Nexo Rimless 

Collections designed by 

Antonio Bullo. The high 

levels of hygiene and watersaving 

qualities provided by 

the products make them 

perfectly ideal for Indian 

customers. 

Nexo collection converge 

two ostensibly conflicting 

objectives: visual appeal and 

economy. The range offers 

wall-hung vitreous china 

basins, sophisticated base 

units, floor standing cabinets 

and wall-hung cabinets. Its 

uniqueness is its closed 

coupled WC with dual outlet 

or horizontal outlet, ensuring 

superlative standards of 

hygiene. The soft closing 

thermo-fix seat and cover for 

toilets are additional 

attractive features. 

The Gap collection delivers 

compact and functional 

style. The products in the 

Gap collection comprise 

wall-hung vitreous china 

basins, semi-recessed 

basins and semi-pedestals. 

The wall-hung clean rim WC 

and the Dual flush 4/2L WC 

cistern with bottom inlet for 

compact back to wall Clean 

Rim toilet are the outstanding 

offerings that promise clean 

surfaces with concealed 

fixtures. 


new launch 

IDUS Collection 

of Bowl 

Shaped Coffee 

Table 

The coffee table creates a 

fascinating effect on the 

interior decor of any place. 

IDUS has come up with the 

most stylish and designer 

range of Coffee Table that 

showcases innovative 

interplay of indigenous 

materials like resin, marble, 

wood, glass and metal. Also, 

it includes the tables that 

have round tops with bowl 

shaped from bottom which 

also appear to float and 

features a unique 

combination of glass, wood 

and stainless steel. 

According to Sameer Hora, 

MD of IDUS, “The cocktail 

table beautifully complements 

any contemporary living 

room by its distinctive flair 

and personality. People are 

no longer satisfied with a 

simple and plain design. So, 

IDUS is having a great range 

of Coffee Table with a 

geometric design, also the 

solid wood table features a 

steel plate and steel cladding 

in lacquer finish.” 

There are many styles to 

choose from, just use the 

decorating scheme of the 

room as your guide. A 

rounded one gives a little 

more room to walk past, 

further he added. 

Grandeur 

Brings Bonaldo 

Letti Beds To 

India 

Grandeur brings the 

comfort and 

sophistication of Bonaldo’s 

contemporary design 

selection of beds to India. 

The Bonaldo Letti Collection 

2015 is made-to-order to 

create bespoke Italian 

bedroom suites with high 

levels of customization 

possible for individual tastes 

and needs. The double beds, 

which come with the option 

of hydraulic-assisted 

storage, are crafted using 

the finest materials and are 

available in hundreds of 

fabric and leather options. 

Some of the popular styles 

being offered by the 

company in India include 

Campo Hollywood, Amlet, 

Cuff, Squaring and Basket. 

With each design, the 

materials have been brought 

together in a unique 

combination. 

Apart from the look and feel, 

Bonaldo have lent equal 

thought to the growing urban 

sprawl within our own 

homes and offer the beds 

with storage options. The 

hydraulic-assisted storage 

makes lifting the beds easy. 

Vintage Design 

& Modern 

Technology 

Defines Vector 

Projects’ LAYA 

Chair 

Looking at the evolving 

workplaces in India, 

Vector Projects, a leading 

turnkey solutions provider in 

the country, introduces an 

ergonomic Laya range of 

chairs which merges modern 

scientific applications with 

ancient patterns from India. 

They are suitable for both 

large office spaces and 

home offices where design 

and space are intimate & 

personal. 

The vibrancy of patterns not 

only reflect designs from 

Ancient India but also the Tu 

& Miao cultures from China. 

These traditional designs 

have been combined with 

modern technology to create 

the Laya range of chairs – 

the unique pattern on each 

hand-made fabric is made 

using a fabric joint method to 

revive the traditional art. 

Focusing on ergonomics, 

‘The Paddle Shift’ control in 

the chairs are designed i.e 8 

times faster than the 

traditional method of 

adjusting seat height and 

backrest lift, a perfect flexible 

chair for easier work life. 

Zynna 

introduces 

soothing and 

blooming range 

of Curtains and 

Cushions 

Zynna, famous worldwide 

for its wide-ranging 

collection in fabrics, has 

recently introduced “soothing 

and blooming range of 

curtains and cushions”. The 

collection has adorable range 

of graceful floral prints and 

patterns of curtains and 

cushions, giving a soft and 

elegant touch to one’s 

abode. The printed florals 

replicates nature inspired by 

countryside and English 

gardens. The fabric material 

used is 100% cotton which 

is optimal for soft furnishing. 

This new range is trying to 

deliver great contentment 

with varied range of calming 

and soft tones of pink, 

lavender, berry, beige, red, 

pastel and green. 


Advertorial 

A loggia overlooking 

the Seine 

Photo courtesy: Vincent Fillon 

Just outside Paris, the river Seine flows 

through the towns of Boulogne-Billancourt on 

its right bank and Issy-les-Moulineaux on its left 

bank. In both towns, disused industrial sites on 

the river banks left room for public spaces and 

housing developments. The “Carré en Seine” 

development in Issy-les-Moulineaux is one of 

these new programmes. 65 private housing units 

and a hotel now occupy this previously 

abandoned industrial wasteland, forming a 

compact site divided into three blocks, a 

volumetric translation of the requirements of the 

local urban planning programme, given that 

density was one of the environmental criteria set 

by the municipality. 

All the blocks in the programme were built using 

prefabricated concrete walls incorporating 

insulation, which are not usually used on this 

scale. Smooth and streamlined, the light 

coloured concrete envelope is deliberately 

austere. In the housing sections, the apartments 

are flanked on both sides by zinc boxes stacked 

up like small containers. They are mounted on 

an independent structure to avoid creating 

thermal bridges. Each apartment has one of 

these elements designed as additional outside 

rooms. “In this dense context, we had to invent 

a system of walls that would optimise the 

window view from the apartments” explains 

Jean-Baptiste Pietri, the project architect. 

“The metal framework supporting these spaces 

incited us to use metal. Zinc seemed appropriate 

to me because it has an elegant sobriety and 

develops an interesting patina over time. It is 

installed on a wooden substructure that gives a 

pleasant finish inside the balconies. Another 

benefit is the numerous flashing possibilities 

thanks to its malleability and the skilled 

installers, who proposed a broad range of details 

on site. Although the boxes did raise a few 

problems for the zinc workers”, admits Jean- 

Baptiste Pietri, revealing one last reason for 

choosing zinc: “I like my buildings to be 

localized. The concrete walls are an 

interpretation of the smooth facades of certain 

Parisian buildings, zinc is the roofing material 

that descends onto the facades. For me, this 

materiality anchors the building in its context.” 

Collective Housing 

Architect: Jean-Baptiste, 

Pietri-Pietri Architects 

Technique: VMZ Standing seam 

Aspect: QUARTZ-ZINC® 

Surface in zinc: 2,000 sq m 


Let’s talk 

multi-faceted 

Building façade besides being a weather shield, also acts as a 

noise barrier. Kindly explain about the acoustics of a façade - 

technology, systems and techniques involved. 

As the world’s population is increasing, more and more people are 

migrating to urban centres from rural areas. This migration is most 

profound in India itself. This has led to a dramatic increase in the noise 

pollution levels in cities, thus facilitating the need for noise reducing 

façades for buildings. 

Acoustic properties of façade cladding materials are measured mainly 

using the following parameters: 

Sound Reflection from the surface of the cladding material, which is 

governed by its NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) value. The NRC 

value of a cladding material primarily indicates the percentage of 

sound that it absorbs. Good quality façade cladding materials have 

NRC values between 0.15 and 0.20. This indicates that they absorb 15 

-20% of sound waves and reflect the rest. 

Sound Transmission through the cladding material represented by 

STC (Sound Transmission Class) which reflects the decibel reduction 

in noise that the cladding material can provide. For instance, a STC 

rating of 30 dB means that there is a reduction in sound of 30 dB 

between the two sides of the cladding material. 

The Changing Façade 

Language 

Façades are no longer treated merely as an aesthetic 

element, rather they are now evolving (Indian 

context) to adapt the socio-physical context of its 

existence. In a brief conversation with Apoorva 

Nandish, Dr Prashant Reddy shares a remarkable 

acumen on the trending façade systems and their 

associated challenges 

With the recent advances in technology, architects these days have 

access to high quality façade cladding materials which act as robust 

noise barriers. At the same time, new techniques are being used today 

to further improve the noise reduction capabilities such as: 

Using micro perforation to increase the sound absorption area 

resulting in higher reduction in the transmission of sound through 

the façade cladding material. 

Lining the façade cladding material with sound absorption material 

such as plasterboard. 

Of late, there is a dramatic evolution in the façade design. They are 

non-coplanar surfaces and organic shapes. So, what are the challenges 

façade system facing? 

Façade systems today have to be flexible enough to allow an architect 

the freedom to use his creativity to give shape to his imagination. A 

good façade system will allow the designer to make perforations, bend 

the material without affecting its strength and structural stability. It 

should also allow the designer the option to print his own design onto 

the cladding material. Compared with traditional manufacturing, a 

façade panel has a higher degree of customization which is reflected 

by not only different designs for different projects, but also different 

façade panels even in a project, so fast and flexible production is 

required as needed. 

With the emergence of new materials and new technologies, and 

people’s constant pursuit of different building appearances, façade 

fabrication becomes bigger and bigger in size and increasingly 

complex in shape, accompanied by increasing difficulties in field 

installation. In this case, if the delivery sequence and installation 

process are not well managed, the installation positions of façade 

panels may be confused, thus causing project delay and the waste of 

resources. 

The most critical element in the complete façade assembly is the 

fasteners and the mechanism used for that. Before setting up the 

façade system, proper modelling and calculations are done to ensure 

that the design and the customization will not affect the stability of the 

faced system in any way. 

What we need is an accurate data integration environment 

incorporating building design, detailed joint design, and field 

installation together covering a series of management activities, 

including façade fabrication production, positioning, detection, cost 

estimation and risk control. 


In the world of high-rise structures, how does façade system relate to 

the safety aspect (fire & lift) of the building? What's the nominal 

parameter followed? 

Façade installation is a scientific process and needs to be designed as 

per the requirement of the project. Complete calculation of wind load, 

deflection criteria in the panel, framing distance and the bonding 

strength of the sealant used for gluing need to be evaluated before the 

façades are fixed. Above a certain height, both tensile load (out ward 

pull or otherwise) and shear load (dead weight) come into play and 

hence certain methods of fixing façades such as gluing are not 

preferred as they would fail if subject to torque and shear at the same 

time. In such situations, other methods of façade installation such as 

riveting are preferred. 

As far as the fire safety aspect is concerned, good façade cladding 

materials these days follow the strictest fire safety norms. Essentially all 

cladding materials must be flame retardant, which means that they 

inhibit, suppress, or delay the production of flames to prevent the 

spread of fire. 

Kindly brief us about the company's new product innovation in regards 

to environment cautiousness. 

FunderMax has made considerable investments in R&D for producing 

sustainable products. With 65 per cent of the panel being made from 

natural fibres that consist largely of wood processed into ‘kraft and 

décor papers’, where the wood is the by-product of sawmills, Max 

Exterior Panels from FunderMax are totally sustainable. The panels are 

also free of organic halogen compounds that are found in greenhouse 

gases and PVC. They are freeof asbestos and wood protection agents as 

well as Sulphur, Mercury and Cadmium. 

The exhaust air generated during the drying process used in the 

preparation of the panels is treated through regenerative thermal 

oxidation for which FunderMax was given the Klima: aktiv award for best 

practices by the Austrian Energy Agency and Austrian Federal Ministry of 

Environment. This process reduces the carbon emissions at the 

production site to the tune of ca.10,000 tons per annum. 

The finishes offered too are all weatherproof, optimally lightfast, highly 

durable and can be combined with almost every kind of FunderMax 

décor. The silk-matte look comes with a feel of fine hammer embossed 

finish. The glossy finish offers a high class touch that accentuates any 

décor. The specially printed hexagon pattern surface is slip free and 

ideal forspecial emphasis. 

As kinetic façade systems are positively being adapted in India, how do 

you envisage the future prospect of this industry? 

Kinetic Façade systems are completely unique in the façade industry 

today. Architects today are looking for designs that are out of the 

ordinary as well as adaptive to the environment. This is where kinetic 

façade systems come in. Not only do they give a unique and innovative 

look to the building by offering designers the opportunity for distinctive 

architectural impact, Kinetic Façade Systems are one of the most 

effective ways to reduce air conditioning loads. 

One example of a kinetic façade is an automated louver system. 

Radiation from the sun is transmitted, absorbed and reflected by the 

louvers. The automated louvers track the position of the sun increasing 

the system’s shading effectiveness and reducing glare. On overcast 

days, the louvers open to maximize the natural daylight into the building. 

With more emphasis on energy efficiency and adherence to stringent 

Green Building norms, higher spending power of the average 

consumers and with availability of architects always eager to experiment 

and create new designs, the future of the Kinetic Façade Systems have 

never been brighter. 

 

Dr Prashanth Reddy is BE in Mechanical Engineering, MBA in Marketing and a 

PhD and has over 22 years of experience in Senior Management Positions 

having worked for Multinational companies from Lifestyle products to Industrial 

Products. He has travelled extensively across the country and to international 

destinations & is familiar with various cultures. He has undergone many 

Management Training programs which include different International programs. 

His PhD research topic was “A Critical Study on Change Management with 

Reference to Selection & Role of Expats in MNCs based in India” which was 

submitted to Golden State University, USA. He believes & practices the saying, 

“when the going gets tough, the tough gets going”. 


Let’s talk 

construction chemical 

Today's construction work is progressing thick and fast. In this 

context, how does Dr.Fixit cater to waterproofing of high-rise 

structures (roof-top landscape amenities and external façade)? 

With space shrinking across Indian cities, land prices rising high-rise 

buildings are today more of a realistic option than just being an 

ornamental icon. But high-rises have their own set of problems such as 

increased exposure to various weather elements and therefore being 

more prone to cracks or other damages. This leads to water leakages 

which are more challenging and expensive to rectify due to higher 

heights involved. It is therefore best to adopt preventive measures and 

utilize the best available technologies in cases wherein the damage 

does occur. 

Very little water and moisture can seep through a high-strength, dense 

concrete, but low strength concrete that is poorly fused can be quite 

permeable. Therefore, the first line of defence against water problems 

is the use of high quality concrete mixtures and good construction 

practices. Pidilite specializes in products that boost the properties of 

materials used and hence prevents water leakages. 

Today, Dr. Fixit is amongst the most trusted brands in the Indian 

construction industry known for its innovation and pioneering solutions 

for waterproofing. With the focus shifting from conventional methods 

to modern methodologies, we at Dr.Fixit offer a wide range of products 

that provide surface-wise solutions to satisfy diverse requirements 

during construction. 

Deep Inside 

the Crux! 

Construction chemical industry although a niche 

domain in a wide spectrum of construction industry, 

it’s a largely dependent source in architecture and 

constrution field. Dr Sanjay Bahadur, Global CEO of 

Construction Chemicals, Pidilite industries, shares 

the insight of this industry’s future prospect which is 

growing like Topsy with Apoorva Nandish 

Dr.Fixit LW+ is an integral liquid waterproofing compound that reduces 

water-permeability of concrete. Waterproofing is a process that is 

designed to prevent water from penetrating the structure. Typically it is 

done in various layers and stages to create multiple barriers so that 

water does not seep into the structure. These layers form the ‘Building 

Envelope’ that waterproofs the structure. It is a specially formulated 

cement additive that increases the life of the building as a result of 

which there are no cracks, no rusting and no leakages. Moreover it 

makes concrete cohesive and prevents segregation. It improves the 

integral waterproofing properties of cement, concrete and plasters after 

curing, resulting in longer life of the building. 

Dr.Fixit Roofseal is a revolutionary product for new terrace 

waterproofing that provides the end consumer with a comprehensive 

solution to leaking roofs and terraces. For proper and correct application 

of the product, Pidilite has trained waterproofing applicators across 

India on the usage of these products. 

Dr.Fixit Newcoat Ezee is a two-coat waterproofing product for terraces. 

It is a hassle-free, economical and reliable waterproofing system which 

can be applied over the traditional brickbat coba and mud fuska. The 

best practice used internationally is to coat the terrace with elastomeric 

coatings and we at Pidilite have worked towards the same. 


Dr. Fixit Blueseal is a unique Spray Applied Polyurethne Waterproofing 

System with no joints. It offers 2 ½ times better insulation and the 

manpower required is just 1/10th as compared to brickbat coba. It 

provides fool-proof waterproofing that is leak-free and guarantees a 

superior performance in comparison to Brickbat Coba. 

What pre-requisites should be followed before waterproofing a 

structure? How effectively can that be done (roof-top landscape 

amenities and external façade)? 

The reliability of construction depends on the civil engineering 

techniques adopted, technologies used, and most importantly the 

materials that go into the construction. To have long lasting structures, the 

best quality construction materials and performance enhancing additives 

should be used. Since construction materials include cement, aggregate, 

concrete, reinforced steel, bricks, tiles and various types of composites, 

the quality of each material should be assessed in an accepted laboratory, 

using standard test methods. Using specific additives in the construction 

material improves the integral waterproofing properties of cement, 

concrete and plasters after curing. It helps prevent cracks, rusting and 

leakages. Hence it would also prevent construction decay and keep the 

structure stronger for a longer period. 

The right waterproofing compound should have the built-in capacity 

to neutralize the excess salt and clay if present in the sand used for 

construction. As cement is basically water-based, the product that is 

used for waterproofing work should also be cement and water-based. 

No waxy material which is freely available these days in the market 

should be used, whether they are coloured or colourless. They form a 

coating on the surface and cannot last for more than one season. 

They start cracking up during summer season leading to more leakage 

during monsoon. It should not be assumed that cracks alone cause 

leakage and then go look for crack filling products. Water can seep 

through wall plaster even if there are no cracks. This is because the 

wall plasters made out of sub-standard sand & cement virtually 

behave like blotting papers absorbing water and pushing it right 

through the walls. Hence, crack filling alone gives only a partial & 

temporary relief. A product that is cement and water-based, 

withstands weathering, not only fills cracks but also plugs micro-holes 

in the cement structure. It is also capable of virtually rejuvenating the 

defective structure. 

Explain about Crystalline waterproofing of concrete. 

Crystalline Waterproofing is composed of high quality cement, properly 

selected & graded inert aggregates, proprietary waterproofing active 

chemicals & additives. It is used as a chemically active waterproofing 

treatment for concrete. When mixed with water and applied as a brush 

coat to concrete, it penetrates deeply into the capillaries of the concrete 

& protects it against the permeability of water. It can also be dry Shaken 

or Broadcasted before concreting or on green concrete.. 

What sets Dr.Fixit apart from its competitors? 

The zeal to innovate and provide quality solutions to our customers is 

embedded in our DNA and this is what makes us unique and drives us. 

Our vision is to be more customer-centric with the consumer being 

placed in the highest regard. This means focus not only on products but 

also services and innovation. At Dr. Fixit we continuously interact with 

our users, influencers and consumers to know the 'need' and create 

specific solutions offering the best results. The 'surface' wise 

solutioning is one such direction. Also, the help line, SMS connect and 

Tech Chat are efforts to be close to our consumers & help them in their 

journey of building a home. 

 

Dr Sanjay Bahadur started his career as a site engineer with L&T's ECC 

Construction. He furthered his career in Aeons Construction Products Ltd as a 

Promoter & Managing Director in 1989 & headed Unitech Prefab Ltd from 1993 

as their Managing Director. He joined Pidilite Industries Ltd. in 2003 as a CEO. 

In 2007 he went on to head ACC Concrete Ltd as their Managing Director till 

2008, post which he was a practicing management consultant. He joined Pidilite 

Industries Ltd. in October 2010 as the Global CEO, Construction Chemicals, 

Pidilite Industries. 

Sanjay Bahadur has received ICI Award for his outstanding service to Concrete 

Technology in 2000. And in 2013, he has been conferred upon with the 

prestigious ‘Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa)’ by virtue of eminence 

attained in the field of Civil & Construction Engineering, Singhania University, 

Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, India. 


Institutional design 

symbolic engrave 

Text and Drawing courtesy: the architect & Photographs courtesy: Ravi Kanade 

Distinct Identity 

Newtown School, Kolkata Abin Design Studio 

The Newtown School in Kolkata 

designed by Abin Design Studio 

besides being an iconic structure 

via its sheer physical appearance, it 

emphasise a strong education 

impedance - a graphical 

representation of symbol, aplhabets 

and numbers creating a bespoke 

stencil screen 


Abin Chaudhuri (Principal & 

Design Director) graduated from 

Jadavpur University, Kolkata in 

1998 and pursued specialisation 

in Industrial Design at Domus 

Academy, Milan in 2003. Recently, 

he attended the Glenn Murcutt 

International Master Class, 2014. 

Abin is an Architect, Innovator, Quirky Designer and inspired 

Entrepreneur. His creative mind is constantly in the process 

of exploring new thoughts and ideas, drawing inspiration 

from ordinary things. He founded ADS in 2005. 

Jui Mallik (Associate Partner & 

Chief architect) graduated from 

Jadavpur University, Kolkata with 

over 15 years of experience in 

domestic and international 

projects. She joined ADS as an 

associate partner in June, 2006. 

She leads the design 

development and production 

team of ADS and takes care of 

design process including all statutory and tendering activities. 

ADS have earned numerous accolades. Being featured in the 

South Asian cross-border list of ’50 most influential names in 

architecture and design for 2015’, has bagged more than 40 

international and national awards and innumerable 

publications over a slim span of 10 years. Their work has 

secured the International Architecture Award at the Chicago 

Athenaeum, 2015 and in 2014 for publication and a travelling 

exhibition. Today, ADS is one of the best known design firms 

in the country. 

façade fixing detail: concept 

façade fixing detail: plan 

this school façade project came to us at a stage when the 

construction of the 2 academic blocks was already underway. The 

blocks were rather generic; 6 floors of classrooms, labs, and other 

facilities arranged towards the periphery around matching central 

courtyards. Our brief was to work within these existing 

parameters to make a school. So we developed a design program in 

terms of circulation, movement, ventilation, classrooms and other 

concerns. 

Keeping in mind the location of the school in the Newtown Area of 

Kolkata, and its simple surroundings, this school needed to make an 

impact and establish a distinct identity. The locality is planned in a radial 

grid and the site for the school is curved along the longer edges. One 

approaches the site along the inner curve and the blocks are placed at 

a slight angle facing each other very slightly. They are separated by an 

active play area. The school also has a swimming pool on its grounds. 

Of the 2-acre plot, the school occupies approximately 1,60,000 sq ft of 

floor space. 

The first step was to create an identity for the school. Our approach was 

to create a screen that wraps around the buildings and unifies them 

visually. Also, we intended for the central courtyards of the buildings to 

merge with the play area creating a seamless connection between 

junior and senior school. Due to a restriction in program, this ground 


symbols were used to create a bespoke stencil 

screen around the existing unremarkable building 

mass. The façade not only provides shade to the 

classrooms from the harsh sun but also lends the 

school a distinct identity. 

488 panels, made of Fibre-Reinforced Plastic (FRP), 

measuring 3.2 x 3.2 meters envelope each of the 

two academic blocks. 13 different panels were 

designed with a combination of small and large 

alphabets, numbers and symbols. These have 

been placed in various orientations to achieve a 

randomized effect on the façade. They are 

wrapped around the school blocks, an area of 

27,000 sq ft each, creating a visually unified façade. 

façade fixing detail: section 

level connection was not possible. However, the screen was created 

with a strong character so that its continuous application across the 

buildings by itself would prove to be a unifying element. 

Graphical representations of symbols, alphabets and numbers became 

an inspiration for the screen. Younger children relate to simple lines as 

letters of the alphabet and as they grow, abstractions of the same would 

start to look more like alpha, gamma and pi. Thus, familiar shapes and 

Structural slabs were projected beyond the 

building surface all around in a way such that an 

exact number of panels would fit on all surfaces 

on the symmetrical cuboids. This also enabled 

simpler servicing of the panels from the back and 

ensured a better light quality for the building. 

A small scale study model was created in-house to 

understand the same and make a decision on treatment of the panels, 

the walls and the windows behind the screen. A mild steel frame work 

was devised in a grid like manner on the projected slabs to align with 

the FRP panels. A fixing detail using steel Z-profiles embedded into the 

FRP panels was developed to fix these 70kg panels to this MS support 

structure. 

The grey walls and windows background brings out the white FRP 

screen in all its glory. Starting with a sample of the module and fixing 

detail to manufacturing, shipping, complete installation, painting and 

cleaning, the façade system took 4 months to complete on site. The 

effect is exactly what we hoped for with its dramatic expression and 

unmistakable identity. 

These 2 structures having been dealt with elaborately, there was a third 

small service block on the far side of the site which would stick out as a 

sore thumb if not properly handled and would be overbearing if overdesigned. 

This block was thus treated in the same projected slabs and 

MS framework manner but with simple vertical aluminium fins. The 

contrast was eliminated and the walls, windows and fins were all treated 

with the same shade of grey along with rolling shutters, doors, etc. This 

block is neither eye-catching nor bold, but a subtly and aesthetically 

disappearing mass that helps to clearly demarcate the public zone from 

the back-end areas. 

 

fact file: 

location : Kolkata, West Bengal 

client : Savitri Educational Foundation 

team : Abin Chaudhuri, Paromita Chatterjee, Poorvi 

Dugar Ajmera 

façade, interiors, landscape design 

and architectural intervention : Abin Design Studio 

structural Consultant : SPA Consultants 

façade fabricators and consultants : Annex Design Pvt. Ltd. 

signage fabricator : Ins & Out 

materials used : Fibre Reinforced Polypropylene, Mild Steel 

land area : 2 acres 

built-up area : 15,000 sq.m. 

completion : April 2015 

photographer : Ravi Kanade 


Corporate office 

manifesting craft 

Text, Drawing & Photgraphs cortesy: the architect 

Revolutionized ‘Jali’ 

72 Screens, Jaipur Sanjay Puri Architects 

Enveloped in abstractly folded 

planes of perforated screens, 

this 6 level office building 

creates a sculptural presence. 

Upholding the firm’s design 

philosophy of designing a 

contextual spaces, Ar. Sanjay 

Puri have beautifully conceived 

the traditional ‘jali’ pattern into 

a contemporary outlook in their 

project, 72 Screens in Jaipur, 

which besides aesthetic appeal, 

serves a cool and energyefficient 

indoor work space 


Ar. Sanjay Puri, an internationally 

renowned architect, has a vast expanse 

of his projects across Spain, 

Montenegro, Mauritius, Abu Dhabi & 

Dubai; in addition to projects in 40 

Indian cities. His firm, Sanjay Puri 

Architects, is recognized with 55 

international awards and 63 national 

awards. They have been the overall 

winner of MIPIM Architectural Review 

Future Projects at Cannes, France and 

have won 3 A+Architizer Award in New 

York in 2014, 3 World Architecture 

Festival 2014 Awards, The Chicago 

Athenaeum Museum of Architecture & 

Design’s International Architecture 

Awards in 2014, 2012 & 2011, The 

World Architecture Festival Awards in 

2014,2012, 2011 & 2010, and 7 World 

Architecture Community Awards U.K and 

the Hospitality. 

With a diverse portfolio of townships, 

schools, hotels, retail and office 

buildings, they continue their quest for 

creating innovative design solutions that 

are sustainable on a larger scale. 

With a firm strength of 72, evolving 

design solutions that are contextual and 

creating spaces that revolutionize the 

way they are experienced, form the 

essence of the firms design philosophy. 


located in the city of Jaipur in India which has 

a desert climate with average temperatures 

ranging from 30 to 50 degrees Celsius 

through most of the year . The building is 

designed in response to the excessive heat 

imbibing traditional elements. 

On a small plot of 1075 sq m , the building 

envelope is restricted on all sides in plan as well as 

governed by height restrictions, The resultant 

floor area on each level after leaving mandatory 

open spaces is only 326 sq m. Designed as a 

corporate office headquarters, the ground level 

houses a reception and conference rooms above 

a car parking basement with office areas at the 

above 5 levels. 

The entire service care and toilets are located on 

its southern side thus effectively reducing the heat 

gain substantially in a location where the sun is in 

the Southern hemisphere throughout the year. 

In addition, a glass reinforced concrete screen 

that takes its inspiration from the old traditional 

‘jali’ screens of the architectural heritage of the 

region, sheaths the building on all sides;reducing 

the heat gain and rendering the building very 

energy efficient. 

The concrete screens around the building are 

supported by a steel framework with projections 

that vary from 0.9 to 1.5m . This creates an 

external periphery space for plants at each level 

that will act as further insulation from the external 

heat creating cooler office spaces within. 

The office building thus overcomes the 

restrictions of its small plot creating office spaces 

that are very energy efficient to combat the 

excessive summers of its location while imbibing 

tradition in an abstract manifestation to create a sculptural quality for its 

inhabitants. 

 

fact file: 

project name : 72 Screens 

location : Jaipur, India 

client : Shree Cement 

architect : Sanjay Puri Architects 

commencement date : June 2010 

completion date : January 2013 

area : 1956 Sq m 

cost : INR 11,20,00,000 



climatology 

To Subdue the 

Wilderness 

Text, drawings and photographs courtesy: Morphogenesis 

Institute for Integrated Learning in Management, Greater Noida Morphogenesis 

A diverse climatic aspect of the region stands for a challenging design ontology. Institute for Integrated 

Learning in Management in Greater Noida spearheaded by Sonali Rastogi from Morphogenesis 

camouflages the extreme weather condition of the region with an intriguing design expression of brick 

jaali for an invigorative living-learning experience 


the project is for student housing for the Institute for Integrated 

Learning in Management in Greater Noida, one of the upcoming 

suburbs of Delhi. The building is intended to house student 

accommodation for students and support facilities within the 

existing educational campus. The client brief was simply to create 

a safe environment in less than INR 1,800 a square foot. 

Spatial planning is done in order to engage the students’ community, 

generating various interactive conglomerate spaces, each having its 

own identity within the overall community yet satisfy 

institutional/residential requirements. The campus is designed in a 

multi-building format with a street pattern on a grid to generate the built 

volumes. Courtyards are introduced and cores are identified by carving 

out voids at different levels to create a multitude of open spaces in the 

form of terrace gardens, and courtyards of diverse scales and 

configurations for multilevel interactions, creating a miniature 

urbanscape. The buildings are oriented in a manner such that they 

open inwards while presenting a largely solid façade to the outside. The 

core sits on the outer periphery to block unwanted winds and act as a 

solar buffer. 

At the unit level, students are housed in an apartment format where 2 

to 3 students share a living space with individual bed rooms. Each 

unit/apartment is fitted with a kitchenette and laundry facilities in order 

to provide a non-regimented accommodation, distinct from standard 

hostels. Units are placed along the external periphery for maximum 

daylight opening to an internal central corridor system. Security, a prime 

condition of the client brief, is expressed through the design where all 

circulation spaces are open and visible, and there are no dead ends. 

The courtyards and terraces encourage interaction among neighbours 

and the visual connection with the street creates a vibrant community 

atmosphere. 

External conditions for most of the year make open spaces inhabitable. 

Hence there is a great need for modifying the microclimate. A 

Graduated from the School of Planning and Architecture 

(New Delhi) and The Architectural Association (London) 

with a graduate diploma in Housing and Urbanism and a 

second graduate diploma in Graduate Design, Sonali 

Rastogi is a Founder Partner of Morphogenesis, one of 

India’s leading award-winning Architecture and Urban 

Design practices based out of New Delhi, India. 

Issues related to the environment and sustainability are 

at the core of Sonali’s design attitude and her experience and expertise in 

Architecture and Design has been recognized by way of numerous awards and 

accolades. Sonali, along with Manit, has recently been awarded Laureate of the SIA 

Getz Award for Emergent Architecture in Asia, Singapore 2014, which seeks to 

bring recognition to Asian architects who through their vision and commitment 

have made a significant contribution in shaping the changing landscape of Asia. 

Morphogenesis has been ranked, for the fourth time running, among the Top 100 

Architectural Design Firms worldwide by Building Design Magazine, UK in WA100, 

2015. The practice is the recipient of over 55 awards and has featured in over 350 

publications, both International and National. 

site plan 


courtyard system 

comprehensive environmental strategy is adopted to ensure the 

protection of the building from extreme climatic conditions. A compact 

built form that reduces heat gain is maintained taking care that 

optimum daylight and cross-ventilation in all the units are maintained. 

Deep recessed windows are provided for shading and help in 

controlling optimum day lighting. The façades are designed as the 

interface between the interior conditioned space and the outside 

environment, and act as insulators and light filters to control and 

modulate inside conditions. The use of brick, brick jaalis and other 

simple finishes helps to maintain a simplistic material palette. The 

courtyards generate a micro-climate through water bodies and shading. 

All materials are sourced from within 500km of the site. 

A De-centralized solar water heating system is used to fulfill 100% of the 

hot water requirement. Solar panels are placed on each terrace top, 

Self-Shaded Courts Street Canyons Stepped Terraces 

urbanscape study 

post occupany evaluation 


façade system 

façade stratergy: solar control 

facing the south side to receive the maximum sun. A Sewage Treatment 

plant in the basement is used to treat the waste water and reuse water 

for flushing, gardening, and water bodies. The Rainwater Harvesting 

system uses an RWP Detention tank to collect and treat the water from 

the terraces and re-circulated within the system. The system uses the 

water collected on ground to be discharged into the municipal storm 

water drain. 

The landscaping intent is to create a habitable natural microclimate that 

is environment friendly and energy efficient. Plantation is done to 

provide shading during summer and to not block prevailing winds. 

Deciduous trees are planted to cut direct sun in summer. The landscape 

creates well-shaded walkways leading to a focal point of a water feature 

with seating space. The water body provides a pleasant sit-out and 

creates an evaporative cooling effect. The row of thick foliage trees cuts 

down western winds and helps to form a visual barrier between the 

building and the service area. The linear plantation is used to highlight 

the entrance to the hostel block, and also helps to form a physical 

connection between the academic and the hostel building. 

fact file: 

Project name : Institute for Integrated Learning in Management 

Location : Greater Noida 

Typology : Institutional 

Client : IILM 

Climate : Composite 

Completion year : 2013 

Built-up area : 1,75,00 sq ft 

Site area : 8 acres 

Consultants 

Structure : BMSF Design Consultants Pvt. Ltd 

HVAC : Apostle Design Studio 

Plumbing : Apostle Design Studio 

Contractors 

Civil and Interior : Ahluwalia Contractors 

Structural : BMSF Design Consultants Pvt. Ltd. 

MEP : Apostle Design Studio 

Landscape Design : NMP 



climate adaptive 

Henning Larsen Architects is one of the most international architecture companies in 

Denmark with projects in more than 20 countries. The company currently employs 

approx. 240 people. Today, the company is owned by a joint group of partners 

consisting of Louis Becker, Werner Frosch, Signe Kongebro, Jacob Kurek, Mette 

Kynne Frandsen, Ingela Larsson, Lars Steffensen, Anders Sælan, Peer Teglgaard 

Jeppesen and Søren Øllgaard. 

Henning Larsen Architects is managed by a management team consisting of CEO, 

Mette Kynne Frandsen and Design Director, Louis Becker. In 2008, Henning Larsen 

Architects established a subsidiary company in Saudi Arabia, Henning Larsen Middle 

East, with an office situated in central Riyadh. Henning Larsen Architects also has an 

office in Munich, Germany; Oslo, Norway; Istanbul, Turkey; Faroe Islands and 

Hong Kong. 

Text and drawings courtesy: Henning Larsen Architects & Photographs courtesy: Martin Schubert and Jens Lindhe 

Design Coalesce 

SDU Campus Kolding, Denmark Henning Larsen Architects 

A three dimensional change in the facade 

pattern by sensitively adapting the climate 

change marks an ambient living experience 

indoor besides its outdoor architectural 

expressions. Henning Larsen Architects 

have attributed this changing need in the 

designing of SDU Campus Kolding in 

Denmark which enhances both indoor and 

outdoor experiences blurring the spatial 

boundaries 


University of Southern Denmark, Campus Kolding, is 

located on the Grønborg grounds in the centre of 

Kolding close to the harbour, station and scenic 

attraction of the river. Kolding Campus will create a new 

central plaza by Kolding River and will thereby form a 

close interaction with the other educational institutions of the town, 

Kolding Design School and International Business College Kolding. The 

shape and façades of the building create a powerful dialogue between 

the inner life of the building and the outside observer. 

The façade is an integrated part of the building and together they create 

a unique and varying expression. Inside in the five floor high atrium, the 

displaced position of the staircases and access balconies create a special 

dynamics where the triangular shape repeats its pattern in a continuous 

variety of positions up through the different floors. The activities open up 

towards the town so that the campus plaza and the interior study 


the solar shading maintains a comfortable indoor climate in the room along the façade, providing optimum light to enhance the learning process 

universe become one interconnected urban space with a green park at 

the back and a common recreational town plaza at the front. 

The building features a number of sustainable initiatives. For 

instance,cooling by means of water from Kolding River, mechanical lowenergy 

ventilation and solar cells. The green areas are tied together in 

an ecological infrastructure which will eventually become part of the 

research park. 

AN INNOVATIVE FAÇADE 

Daylight is an important parameter in a building to ensure a healthy 

indoor climate and the well-being of the users. To a high degree, the 

façade determines the indoor climate of the building just as it provides 

the building with its outward, architectural expression. Because the level 

and quality of daylight change over the course of the day and year, 

Kolding Campus is fitted with dynamic solar shading which adjusts to 

the existing climate conditions to provide optimal daylight and 

comfortable indoor spaces along the façade. 

The solar shading system consists of approx. 1,600 triangular shutters of 

perforated steel. They are mounted on the façade in a way which allows 

them to adjust to the changing intensity of daylight and desired inflow 

of light. When the shutters are closed, they lie flat along the façade. 

They protrude from the façade when open as desired, and when 

entirely open they provide the building with a very expressive 

the mechanism and perforation of shuters hold a dynamic façade expression 

light sensors adjust to provide optmal 

daylight inside 


the ‘triangular shape’ repeats its pattern in a continuous variety of 

positions up through the different floors 

dipalced position of staircase bring in a dynamic expression to the 

spatial planning 

appearance. The solar shading system is fitted 

with sensors that continuously measure light 

and heat levels and regulate the shutters 

mechanically by means of a small motor. 

The perforation of the huge shutters is a light, 

organic pattern of round holes which provides a 

distinctive play in the façade on the outside as 

well as a dynamic play of light on the inside. The 

holes in the façade are designed and adapted to 

an opening angle of approx. 30 deg. Engineers 

and architects have conducted analysis and 

calculations to establish this as the optimal 

opening angle in relation to the amount of light 

and energy let in and out of the building - while 

at the same time providing users with optimal 

views to the outside urban space. 

In the evening, the light from the inside will 

pour through the perforated pattern and make 

the façade appear more transparent. Passers-by 

or students on their way to or from the university 

will thus get an immediate sense of the interior 

activities of the campus. This interaction ensures a strong dialogue 

between the inner life of the building and the outside spectator. 

construction detail of façade system 

SUSTAINABILITY 

As regards the design of the building, Henning 

Larsen Architects has not only minimised the need 

for energy for lighting, heating, cooling and 

ventilation; the architects have also focused on 

optimising the passive properties of the building 

to allow for the shape and construction to 

contribute to solving some of the tasks that would 

otherwise be solved by means of energy intensive 

technologies. 

However, the approach should be to balance the 

inflow of daylight by means of large glass areas 

and window screenings as large glass areas could 

also have negative consequences as regards heat 

loss, increased requirements for cooling and 

ventilation. In the design phase, focus has been 

on providing all study and work spaces and 

teaching rooms with the right amount of daylight. 

To a high degree, the façade determines the 

indoor climate of the building just as it provides 

the building with a significant architectural 

expression. The façade consists of movable, 

triangular elements that regulate the inflow of light in front of the highly 

insulated façade. 

A combined heating and cooling pump installation, which uses the 

ground water to regulate the temperature inside the building, has been 

fully integrated into the design. This means that the installation works 

together with the other opportunities of the building in relation to, for 

instance, using the outside air to cool down the atrium at night. 

In addition, the University of Southern Denmark in Kolding will feature 

solar collectors, solar cells, an opportunity for natural ventilation of the 

atrium at night, low-energy mechanical ventilation, computer 

equipment with a low energy consumption and a number of other 

environmental and energy efficient initiatives that will provide the 

university with a significant, sustainable profile. 

 

the pattern on the shuters allows ample daylight into the interiors, 

besides its emphatic design 

fact file: 

location : Kolding, Denmark 

client : The Danish University and Property Agency 

type of assignment : First prize in international competition, 2008 

architects : Henning Larsen Architects 

landscape architect : Kristine Jensens Tegnestue 

engineers : Orbicon 

gross floor area : 13,700 sq m 

construction period : 2012-2014 


In Focus 

dramatic illusions 

Façades with Symbolic Powers 

Photo credits: Anthony Azavedo 

Alma Odil 

Architecture is the learned game,correct 

and magnificient, of forms assembled in 

the light. 

- Le Corbusier. 

Breaking through the traditions the 

building envelopes-façades as we 

all know it, is itself exciting and 

interesting. The synergies between the 

geometry of the building, its 

construction and the material 

determines whether the building 

envelopes are perceived more as 

consisting of individual space or as a 

homogeneous body. Today there are 

multitude of ways in which façades are 

being sculpted. They are attractive, 

provide ventilation, act as lighting 

solutions, provide privacy and protection 

while accentuating the building 

structures. 

Façades cladding has opened up a new 

avenue and innovation world of 

products, and solutions are available 

that allows the architects to realize their 

ideas in strong and high-impact forms. 

Engineered products as well as natural 

materials are being extensively used for 

building exteriors. There is a wide array 

of materials like wood, stone, bricks, 

concrete, glass, metal screens, 

engineered panels etc., that has 

provided a much needed freedom of 

choice to the consumers and freedom 

of experiment and design to the 

architects. 

The reason for the sudden hike in such 

materials is that they offer an 

Somebody has well said, “With great powers comes 

great responsibility”. This stands perfect for the 

building façades. The durability of façade ensures 

protection to the interior architectural design as well 

as to the people inhibiting that space. Today the way 

buildings wear façades are like diamonds and rubies 

associated with women, adding that oomph factor to 

the structure along with it’s functionality 

Taj Mahal Palace, Fort, Mumbai 

exceptionally high degree of design 

freedom and can be excellently 

combined with other materials to give a 

building structure an extra-ordinary 

depth in design and also sustainability. 

Building envelopes today defines 

classicism and modernism. The building 

Twin Tower Mumbai Central 

constructed now-a-days are modern in 

appearance and to add to it’s modernity 

architects are experimenting with ultramodern 

materials as building façades. 

One of the important factors governing 

the façade design and materials used in 

it’s construction and installation is it’s 

durability. Longevity of materials and 

less maintenance is something which 

cannot be ruled out along with costeffectiveness. 

There are whole lot of 

companies which have joined the race 

in compiling state-of-the-art 

technologies to manufacture panels 

which can be used internally and 

externally in a building form and which 

are highly durable, weather-proof, lightweight 

and with aesthetics they are 

adding to the decorative appearance of 

the building structures. 

It is all about combinations. Façades 

have come up as a measure for 

conserving energy and as a 

multifunctional part of building 

structure. The interplay of textures, 

materials and it’s arrangement has 

helped in bringing the beauty of 

façades. The way spaces are designed 

and used today are impacting the 

fenestration in the façades. The 

combination of comfortability with 

functionality is the mantra. 

It is not just the building ergonomics 

that will be the momentum behind 

propelling the demand for building 

envelopes but all the aspects of design 

and architecture as well. The future is 

all set to put it’s foot forward for a 

marketable goal of net-zero building, 

which is not just an initiative from 

architects but which involves the policy 

makers too in the form of energy audits 

and grants. Façades are going to be the 

thrust for future mammoth building 

structures-an idiom of strength and 

beauty. 

 


Insight 

parametric design 

Algorithmically Designed Facades 

for Climatic Adaptability 

Ar. Sushant Verma, rat[LAB] Research in Architecture & Technology 

“A building skin is 

designed using a 

number of parameters 

such as 

environmental 

conditions, structural 

feasibility and 

materiality, creating a 

range of designs. 

This allows choosing 

an optimum design 

for the façade based 

on the set criteria.” 

Parametric Façade for Molded Dimensions Factory, Gurgaon in collaboration with Design Plus, New Delhi 

Façades and building envelopes 

determine visual identity, character 

and expression of architecture. 

Design and aesthetics of building skins 

impart a character to a place, externally, 

and is a major parameter for building 

performance, internally. Building façades 

lie at the intersections of exterior and 

interior environment. They form an 

integral part of building aesthetics as 

well as building performance and an 

integrated practice of rational and 

intuitive approach is followed as a 

design & engineering process. This is 

where disciplines merge and science 

meets art. 

A building skin consists of vertical 

(façade) and horizontal (roof) 

components which protect the building 

from direct external environment and 

helps in maintaining comfortable 

interiors along with providing structure 

and stability to the building. Building 

skins are a vital component to resolve 

issues of responsive architecture as they 

are a medium through which intelligence 

can be imparted to a building system to 

respond to an environmental stimulus. 

Thus key characteristic of an effective 

intelligent building skin is its ability to 

modify energy flows through the 

building envelope by regulation, 

enhancement, attenuation, rejection or 

entrapment. 

A building skin is designed using a 

number of parameters such as 

environmental conditions, structural 

feasibility, and materiality, among others; 

all of which can be quantified as data. 

Since there is a large amount of data 

involved, computation becomes an 

essential part of dealing with the 

complex dynamics of design. 

Computation can be carried out through 

non-digital & digital processes aligned 

together and algorithms can be used of 

complex (and simple) problem solving. 

These problems include structural load 

calculations, material behaviour 

calculations, fabrication data extraction, 

etc. An algorithmic method of designing 

a building skin or a façade system can 

aid in controlling all the parameters and 

objective data that is embedded in 

design and a flexibility to use this data 

for creating a smart(er) system. 

In mathematics and computer science, 

an algorithm is a self-contained stepby-step 

set of operations to be 

performed. Algorithms that exist perform 

calculation, data processing and 

automated reasoning. In façade design, 

an algorithmic approach is helpful to 



have a rational control on design, 

fabrication data, assembly process, 

material usage & cost. Design can be 

optimized for various criteria and one 

type of algorithms that can be used for 

multi-parametric problem solving is 

‘Genetic Algorithm’. A parametric model 

is controlled by multiple parameters 

which can be used as ‘genes’. The set 

of parameters form the ‘genotype’ and 

output system forms the 

‘phenotype’.Genetic algorithms are used 

after understanding the complexity of the 

multi-parametric problem to build an 

iterative system. Genetic algorithms are 

used to create a strong feedback network 

in the algorithm where real-time 

evaluations inform the initial stages of 

the algorithm. 

In an on-going project by rat[LAB], a 

prominent part of the façade is designed 

to create an aesthetically dramatic effect 

while optimizing building performance 

and fabrication cost. A differentiation 

among members of façade is being 

parametrized through an algorithm that 

calculates the running length & cost of 

various building members. This allows 

us to change the base parameters (such 

as angular variation, dimensional shifts, 

etc.) and study its changing effect on 

fabrication cost & environmental 

performance. Multiple platforms are 

integrated to evaluate the results in realtime, 

as we change the influencing 

parameters and create a range of 

designs. This allows choosing an 

optimum design for the façade based on 

the set criteria. The algorithm is also 

developed to extract fabrication data 

from the parametric model, saving on 

design & production time, hence cutting 

down on project costs. 

In another research done at the 

Architectural Association, London and 

The MAK Center, Los Angeles, the 

studio developed a dynamic façade 

system with the vision of challenging 

the static built environment against the 

dynamic natural environment. This 

façade system has been digitally 

retrofitted on the façade system of 

Makey Apartments originally designed 

by Rudolph Schindler. 

The project questions the static nature of 

architectural spaces, encouraging 

dynamism and motion in architecture via 

movable building skins. In an exhibition 

at MAK Center Los Angeles in 

September 2014, the research lab 

presented a prototypical interactive 

installation made of tensegrity 

components embedded with sensors that 

responded to human movement. This 

was tested as a potentially suitable 

building type for Southern California and 

other semi-arid locations. 

NEED OF A GENETIC ALGORITHM 

An optimization technique is necessary 

to evaluate the efficiency of a system 

which can involve multiple simulation 

parameters and multiple evaluation 

parameters. 

A computational method based on 

abstracted logics of biological 

evolutionary processes is found to be 

appropriate as the optimization is an 

iterative process for seeking solution 

which was described by John Holland in 

the 1960’s which recognizes the fact 

that software already has a genotype and 

phenotype embedded in the code. 

1. Parametric Model 

Parametric model/system is controlled 

Interactive prototype of adaptive[systems] at MAK Center Mackay House, Los Angeles 


by several simulation parameters which 

are also called genes. These parameters 

control the form and function of the 

system which in-turn affect the 

efficiency. The parametric model, in this 

case, is developed using a software 

called Grasshopper that runs in 

Rhinoceros 3D Platform (Robert McNeel 

& Associates). The Dynamism of the 

system is controlled by a plug-in for 

Grasshopper, Kangaroo which is a 

Physics Engine and can simulate 

physical forces in a digital medium. 

2. Real time Analysis 

Based on the Evaluation Parameters, 

also termed as Fitness Criteria, in the 

language of genetic algorithms, Solar 

Exposure and Solar Radiation, two 

parallel scripts are developed using 

Python Script in Grasshopper. These are 

scripted using Solar Exposure Tool (inbuilt 

in Grasshopper) integrated with a 

plug-in called Geco which links 

Autodesk Ecotect and Grasshopper for 

Real-Time analysis. To find the efficiency 

of the system a real time analysis is 

required which evaluates, in parallel, 

with the change in genes of the system 

as outputs which are fed back to the 

input parameters for continuous 

iterations in an evolutionary process. 

3. An Evolutionary Solver 

Galapagos (plug-in for Grashopper) is 

integrated in the algorithm due to 

multiple permutations of output which 

can be obtained from the simulations. 

This evolutionary solver is required to 

collect, store, compare and analyse the 

large amount of data produced and 

finally give an optimized result according 

to the required fitness criteria. 

Complex algorithms are coded while 

designing the system to study the 

emergent dynamic behaviour of the 

system with respect to angular changes, 

axial shifts and force transfers that take 

place when the system actuates with 

heat. This type of a building skin can 

potentially be used as free standing roof 

structures, building façades, window 

panels or installations that can be preprogrammed 

and configured in a way 

that it responds to the environmental 

conditions of any place, while using the 

potentials of shape memory allow and 

structural principles of tensegrity, and 

without needing any electrical source to 

operate. Computational technology is 

used extensively throughout the 

development of this project in a way 

that challenges the conventions of 

computation in architecture. 

Sushant Verma (M.Arch. Em.Tech.– AA London, B.Arch. SSAA New Delhi, MCoA 

India) is an architect and computational designer, currently leading research 

organization rat[LAB]- Research in Architecture & Technology. Former architect at 

Zaha Hadid Architects, London and a Sr. Editor at Arch2O, he is involved in education 

for computational and parametric design through rat[LAB] EDUCATION, which he 

founded as an initiative to spread the idea of computation in design profession 

and academia. Recipient of MAK Schindler Award from Vienna/Los Angeles and a 

finalist for AIA Emerging Leaders Fellowship from Chicago, his work is widely 

published and exhibited in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Taipei 

& New Delhi, among other places. He was recently shortlisted in New Delhi among 

5 architects for ’20 under 35’ Exhibition at Alliance Française de Delhi. 


Insight 

uPVC 

The World of Fenestration 

Robert Hoellrigl, President, Research Development & Design, ENCRAFT India Pvt Ltd 

Construction industry 

is not a child’s play; 

staggering blocks of 

materials that are in 

stock. It’s a whole lot 

of complex 

permutation and 

combination process 

to address a 

particular situation. 

“It's all about integrity. 

It’s refreshing to see 

that major Indian 

uPVC profile extruders 

are adapting, 

religiously, proven 

European technology 

despite the potential 

raw material cost 

savings.” 

Windows are intended to be the 

eyes of the building, portraying 

the architects’ vision, but they 

are also the ultimate nightmare for any 

building contractor who has to fill holes 

in walls at the lowest possible price. 

But as a comfort, this problem exists all 

over the world. 

Since the beginning of the Indian high 

rise building boom, the window and door 

industry operating in the projects market 

faces a dilemma – how to provide strong 

and wind resistant fenestration at the 

lowest possible price? 

How to arrive at the design wind 

pressure is comprehensively covered and 

explained in the Indian Standard IS 875 

part 3. It is expected that windows and 

doors have to cope with the same wind 

pressure as the whole building, therefore 

frame static calculations are absolutely 

essential for every project at the 

quotation/tendering stage in order to 

establish the profile type, the 

reinforcement type and size (for uPVC) 

and the maximum permissible glass area 

depending on glass type and glass 

thickness. Providing frame prices to 

contractors prior to any static 

calculations, operational stability checks 

(for sliders), screen passenger loads and 

U-value calculations (if required) etc. has 

led to embarrassing situations when the 

whole budget had to be revised upwards 

because of under specification or due 

the occasional change of frame style. 

Common sense should prevail and all 

involved parties like architect, structural 

engineer, contractor and frame supplier 

should be able to agree a workable 

frame specification on which the prices 

should be based on. 

Window static is not peculiar to uPVC. It 

applies to all known frame materials, 

equally, but no one thinks about the 

increased profile depth of vertical 

members (mullions) or frame coupling 

joints when looking at aluminium or 

wooden frames, especially historic 

wooden frames. But no one has ever 

considered the wind speed differences 

between India and Europe. For example: 


The lowest Indian wind speed is 33 

metres/second (Bangalore) whilst the 

highest wind speed in the UK is 31 

metres/second followed by Germany with 

30 metres/second. India’s average wind 

speed of 44 metres/seconds (Mumbai, 

Hyderabad) used in high rise projects 

(up to 100 metres) results most of the 

time in design wind pressures for 

fenestration exceeding 2000 Pascal. 

Frame suppliers are perfectly capable to 

submit static calculations for approval 

and acceptance based on their own IS 

875 part 3 design wind pressure 

assessment. Then why the original (and 

government approved) design wind 

pressure of the building cannot be 

forwarded to the frame supplier? 

Frame static is only one part specifying 

the 'right or most appropriate' frame style 

for any high rise project which is equally 

challenging because of customer 

expectations, mandatory compliance with 

standards and regulations, ergonomic 

and environmental considerations, child 

safety, safe cleaning ability etc. 

One of the big advantages of uPVC is 

the inherent material elasticity and 

memory i.e. uPVC after being exposed to 

any pressure or force will always return 

to its original position whilst aluminium 

may stay deformed and wood will split 

or crack. Nevertheless, uPVC, like other 

frame materials, has to provide sufficient 

frame rigidity to cope with the imposed 

deflection onto glass and hardware. 

It is correctly assumed that uPVC frames 

will resist UV rays and white uPVC 

frames will stay white but this is where 

the material differences between uPVC 

profiles will surface. Some uPVC profiles 

are manufactured from an upmarket PVC 

pipe formulation, processing a 

disproportionally, high amount of low 

cost filler (calcium carbonate) whilst 

ENCRAFT amongst others have continued 

or have adopted proven European recipes 

which were further enriched to suit 

India's varied climate. ENCRAFT has 

gone a step further and tested their 

formulation beyond the standard for 

severe condition to a full 8000 hours 

rather than the 6000 hours prescribed. 

It's all about integrity and long term 

reputation and it is refreshing to see that 

major Indian uPVC profile extruders are 

adapting, religiously, proven European 

technology despite the potential raw 

material cost savings. 

Nowadays modern windows and doors 

can provide more than only a shelter 

from the elements. It has been 

recognised that a large proportion of 

costly energy used for cooling and 

heating is escaping through fenestration. 

Reducing energy consumption which 

subsequently leads to 

CO2 reduction is on 

top of every 

Government's agenda. 

It is not a choice 

anymore, reducing 

CO2 is absolutely 

essential to secure a 

liveable environment 

for future generations. 

Critics may argue that 

only 30 to 45 percent 

of energy losses in 

high rise buildings 

are actually through 

fenestration but the 

factual energy savings 

with thermal efficient 

fenestration would be 

staggering. Diverting 

this saved energy 

cleverly would mean 

that the remotest 

Indian villages could 

receive the most 

needed electricity 

sooner. 

Contrary to some 

misconception, the frame, albeit being 

the smaller area plays an important in 

the overall frame U-value assessment 

which is highlighted by the following 

example: 

45 mm deep Aluminium frame, 76 

mm sight line without thermal break, 

5 mm single glazed frame to glass 

ratio 21/79 - U-value Aluminium 

frame = 5.9 W/m2K 

Encraft EN 62 uPVC frame, 95 mm 

sight line, fully steel reinforced, 5 mm 

single glazed frame to glass ratio 

26/74 - U-value uPVC frame = 4.8 

W/m2K 

The overall frame U-value reduction of 

1.1 W/m2K or 18.6% is mainly 

contributed to the inherent low thermal 

conductivity of uPVC, the multichambered 

uPVC profile design and the 

larger (warmer) frame portion. Obviously, 

changing the glazing from single to 

double glazing, utilising coated glass 

panes and warm edge spacer technology 

would reduce the frame U-value even 

further. 

Energy efficient frames require a high 

degree of air tightness as well and 

therefore need to be accurately 

manufactured. Any short cuts in 

manufacture or installing with a 'near 

enough will do' attitude will be eventually 

highlighted by nature. For example: At 

the end of May 2015 a heavy sandstorm 

raced through Gurgaon, darkened the sky, 

exposed all double glazed frames to 

noticeable deflection and leaving some 

traces of sand inside our luxury 

apartment which is located on the 26th 

floor. Why? 

Some of the sand penetration came 

through the drain slots located in the 

outer frame base member. The slots 

were punched straight through and NOT 

staggered (fabrication mistake). The other 

area of the sand in-take was created by 

the missing centre seals, normally 

located between the Patio door meeting 

rails (installation oversight). This is also 

one of the reasons why some owners in 

the condominium have now decided to 

replace their uPVC windows with 

ENCRAFT uPVC windows. 

Because of manufacturing issues and 

missing components we cannot reap the 

true benefits of an energy efficient frame. 

Unfortunately, the best glass combination 

housed in the warmest frame material is 

wasted when the frames are badly 

manufactured and nonchalantly installed. 

The trend towards larger sliding frames 

and subsequently larger sliding sashes in 

high rise projects has reached alarming 

concern. In order to stay within the 

weight limit but achieve the desired 

heights without introducing fanlights, the 

sashes are getting taller and narrower 

thus creating operational problems, 

considering that a large proportion of the 

ageing population is occupying modern 

apartments. Operating heavy sliding 

sashes with an unfavourable height to 

width ratio equipped with unsuitable 

handles has become an insurmountable 

task for most users. 

There is so much knowledge and 

experience, excellent guidelines and 

codes of practices which can help to 

specify 'perfect' windows and doors for 

high rise buildings. At Encraft, we have 

recognised that part of our business is to 

advise on fenestration issues because it 

is virtually impossible for any architect to 

stay up to date in terms of material 

development, product innovation, 

legislation etc. Hence the requirement is 

for genuine, knowledge based 

partnerships. 

LOW or ZERO carbon homes / 

apartments utilising energy efficient 

fenestration are not a myth anymore; they 

are being built whilst you are reading 

this article. 

 

ENCRAFT is a product brand of ENCRAFT India Pvt Ltd. ENCRAFT Door & Window 

systems are engineered with precision and are masterpieces of art. Incepted under 

the leadership of Robert Höllrigl, an Austrian Engineer with over 30 years of experience 

in uPVC tooling and extrusion, earlier associated with WHS Halo, one of the UK's 

leading fenestration solution providers, he now heads up the R&D and technical 

department at ENCRAFT where he ensures that ENCRAFT Door & Window systems 

are at the forefront of the market through continuous innovation in product design. 

ENCRAFT systems offer a lifetime of style, strength and security. They come in a 

range of customized designs and wooden finish to match with all décors. 


Innovation 

SageGlass 

The technological 

advancement in 

building materials has 

brought a paradigm 

shift in the living 

condition. Today, 

glass has reached far 

beyond its aesthetic 

appeal. The 

curtailment of solar 

radiation, reduction of 

energy consumed or 

wasted, complete 

control over 

optimization of 

daylight factor have 

enriched its usage 

and acceptance in 

every niche domain 

of architecture and 

engineering 

Eg: Kimmel Center for the Performing arts, Philadelphia Eg: Government Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands 

Let there be Light; at Will! 

R Subramanian, Managing Director, Glass & Solutions, Saint Gobain India Pvt Ltd 

The buildings of tomorrow will 

look, feel and perform differently 

from the buildings of today. This 

will be largely made possible by the 

advent of futuristic building materials. 

One such break-through product is 

SageGlass(electronically switchable) 

Energy Efficient Glass. 

Static solar control glass is one of the 

most enduring challenges in building 

design and operation. There’s as much 

that you can make out of a static 

glazing solution. Imagine all the 

benefits and more, of today’s sun 

control glazing solutions with an 

element of dynamism. That’s SageGlass 

for you – a dynamic glazing solution 

that lets you control the appearance 

and performance of your façade 

according to your preference. 

Dynamic, electronically tintable 

SageGlass enables building owners and 

users to actively control daylight and 

solar heat, improving occupant comfort 

and significantly reducing energy 

consumption and costs. As a result, it 

allows architects to design sustainable, 

visually compelling buildings with 

exceptional energy efficiency and at 

will. 

In short, SageGlass gives you the 

ability to let in as much or as little 

visible light and heat as you want while 

minimizing glare. Windows, façades 

and skylights with SageGlass glazing 

are highly programmable and can be 

set up to operate individually or in 

zones, by single users or for multioccupant 

spaces to meet group needs. 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT ITS 

BEST: 

SageGlass can be operated manually or 

integrated into a building’s energy 

management system, further optimizing 

the building’s efficiency. 


Fig 1: Thin film Electrochromic stack on glass 

TC: Transparent Conductor, CE: Counter Electrode, EC: Electrochromic Electrode, 

IC: Ion Conductor 

What’s more, the solutions from 

SageGlass are very energy efficient to 

operate. In fact, it takes less electricity 

to power and control 1,500 square feet 

of SageGlass glazing than it does to 

power a 60-watt incandescent light 

bulb. 

The SageGlass portfolio includes 

standard double- and triple-pane 

configurations in a range of sizes, 

shapes and colours. It is available in 

rectangular panes as large as 5’ x 10’ 

(1524 x 3048 mm), suitable for 

installation in new construction and 

retrofit projects. 

The Lawrence Berkeley National 

Laboratory (LBNL) is a United States 

national laboratory located in the 

Berkeley Hills California that conducts 

scientific research on behalf of the 

United States Department of Energy 

(DOE). It is managed and operated by 

the University of California. 

THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND THE 

INNOVATION 

The electrochromic (EC) coatings are 

applied to a single piece of glass 

which is then fabricated into an 

architectural insulating glass unit (IGU). 

The coating can be tinted or cleared 

electronically to control solar heat gain 

and glare in buildings without ever 

blocking the view to the outside. These 

IGUs are nearly identical in form factor 

to a standard IGU, except that they 

have a wire exiting the IGU for 

electrical interconnections. The glazing 

can be controlled in a variety of ways, 

including integrating it into the building 

energy management system. 

Figure 1 shows what happens when 

electricity is applied to electrochromic 

glazing. The EC coating, which is made 

up of five layers, darkens as lithium 

ions and associated electrons transfer 

from the counter electrode (CE) to the 

electrochromicelectrode(EC) layer. 

Reversing the voltage polarity causes 

the ions and associated electrons to 

return to their original 

layer, the CE, and the glass returns to 

a clear state. This solid state 

electrochromic reaction is controlled 

through a low voltage DC power 

supply. It takes less than 5V to switch 

the glazing. 

Figure 2 illustrates how SageGlass 

IGUs modulate sunlight and solar heat. 

In the clear state, the SageGlass 

glazing has a visible light transmission 

of 62% and passes 48% of the incident 

solar energy to the building interior. 

When a low DC voltage is applied to 

tint the films, the amount of incident 

solar energy allowed into the building 

is reduced by 81%.) 

CONTROL, AT WILL! 

For optimum performance there are a 

number of control strategies for 

determining when the EC glazing 

should be in its darkened, clear or 

intermediate tinted state. The most 

logical means to control tint level is to 

link it directly to the amount of daylight 

that is needed within the space. 

Daylight Control: Daylighting is the 

synergistic control of dimmable electric 

lighting and natural light from windows 

for maximum natural daylight and 

optimum energy management. 

Depending on sky conditions (cloudy 

vs. clear), sun position and glass, a 

daylight sensor can control tint level to 

achieve the optimum footcandle level. 

With overcast skies, the glass may be 

cleared to admit enough daylight to 

achieve optimum illumination within the 

space. With clear skies, the daylight 

sensors can darken or partially tint the 

IGUs to limit daylight while 

concurrently reducing solar gain. 

Schedule Control: The glazing can also 

be controlled based on the time of year 

and amount of solar energy that is 

Fig: 2 

desired to pass into the space. During 

summer, blocking solar gain may 

reduce the load on building air 

conditioning systems. Conversely, 

allowing needed solar gain during 

winter will reduce energy needed to 

heat the building. Thus, seasonal 

variation in combination with 

daylighting controls can secure an 

optimal energy performance of the 

glass façade with Electrochrome 

glazing. 

Glare Control: SageGlass glazing can 

directly control glare in a space. Glare 

causes visual discomfort and reduces 

contrast at the workplace or on a 

computer screen due to direct solar 

radiation. Tinting the glass fully (to 

3.5% VLT or less) will achieve 

occupant comfort in direct sunlight or 

when exposed to intense reflected light. 

By allowing the user to control glazing 

through a timed override, the offending 

window zone can be tinted while 

allowing other panes to permit 

daylighting in the space and/or heat the 

building during the winter. This 

glazing’s electronic control can 

automatically adjust the tint when 

conditions change, unlike manual 

blinds that are rarely optimally 

controlled by users. For this reason, 

manual blinds cannot be adequately 

deployed for energy efficiency, while 

electronically controlled systems, such 

as this, can be optimally set by 

building management. 

 

R Subramanian graduated from IIT-Delhi and went on to obtain his Management 

degree from IIM Bangalore. At both of these elite academic institutions, he was 

awarded the Gold Medal for his meritorious performance. 

With a varied and enriched experience in Brand and Sales Management spanning 

across sectors, he joined Saint-Gobain in the year 2000. The Glass Business of 

Saint-Gobain achieved in a short time, quality, technical and market leadership 

position - thanks to the Brand Building efforts pioneered by R Subramanian. 

With a rich experience of 15 years in the Glass Industry, R Subramanian now is 

the Managing Director, Glass and Solutions, Saint-Gobain India Pvt Ltd - Glass 

Business. 


High-tech Technology 

fenestration solutions 

High- Rise & 

Challenging Elucidations 

Rajesh Chawla, Director, VEKA India 

Large scale building 

projects in both 

commercial and 

residential sectors 

have upshot the 

fenestration industry to 

a large extent. With 

energy conservation 

coming into picture 

along-with green 

building certifications, 

new boulevards are 

opening up. Ventilation, 

space heating and 

cooling, all account for 

the huge amount of 

energy consumption in 

both residential and 

commercial building 

and better fenestration 

system are estimated 

to reduce this amount 

of energy consumption 

radically. Rajesh 

Chawla, Director, 

VEKA India, shares his 

insight on fenestration 

sector 

Glazing, windows, curtain walls, 

exterior doors etc. Are the wordstock 

of today’s high rise 

structures. The construction challenges 

associated especially with tall buildings 

makes it important to choose among 

the available material that are 

sustainable, cost-effective and provide 

energy efficiency. The energy efficiency 

in all the buildings constructed today 

are greatly impacted by the fenestration 

systems. Technology is changing 

everyday with avant-garde solutions 

available at the disposal which is not 

only helping the end-users but also 

engineers and architects to conceive 

spectacular designs in buildings. 

LATEST TRENDS AND 

TECHNOLOGIES FOR BUILDING 

ENVELOPES: 

The architectural landscape is fast 

changing and the most visible change 

over the last couple of decades has 

been the rise in the heights of 

buildings. Proportionally, the 

fenestration of these also has witnessed 

big changes. As the buildings get 

taller, the window openings get bigger 

which needs safety solutions that can 

be addressed by high performance 

window systems. Typically in such tall 

structures the design of window 

systems should incorporate or take into 

account critical parameters like Wind 

Load, Water Penetration, Sound 

Reduction, Energy Saving among 

others. uPVC window modules are 

available in profile designs confirming 

to international standards, factor in all 

such conditions. It allows for Welded 

Corners and use of Euro Groove 

specific fittings for multi-point locking 

which traditional systems lack. Apart 

from the more commonly used Twin 


and are much more accurate than what 

it used to be a few years ago. Based 

on the window module type and size, 

today the fixing pattern and 

specification of screws or anchor bolts 

for that specific module is being 

considered by suppliers and installers 

as per the technical requirements. For a 

specific case based on the requirement 

Fixing Brackets are also being used for 

better and safer installations. 

Seal Systems for window modules, 

uPVC window systems now offer Triple 

Seal Systems that are capable of 

accommodating glass as thick as 40 

mm. Moving on to the door modules, 

uPVC provides better sealing against 

sound, dust and insects ingress with 

There are also cases where window 

modules need to be fixed in mortar 

material or in brick work. In such 

cases, Chemical Anchors are 

considered during installation for the 

desired strength and safety. To check 

the fixity of a certain type screw or an 

anchor bolt, a lot of installers prefer 

conducting Sheer test and Pull Test to 

design the fixing details. There is a 

greater emphasis on countering water 

larger emphasis on appropriate glass 

thickness and usage of tempered glass 

against ordinary glasses. 

WORK AND HIGHLIGHTS VEKA 

INDIA’S PROJECTS: 

In line with the modern trends, VEKA 

India has executed quite a few projects 

in India, through its various partners. 

Agilent Technologies HQ at Manesar, 

Gurgaon was one such special project. 

The requirement was to install windows 

covering a total area of approximately 

3,500 Sq. M. The window opening 

sizes were a maximum of 6000mm x 

3000mm. Being such huge dimensions 

VEKA designed special vertical and 

horizontal coupling profiles from the 

VEKA range that are the ideal solution 

for these windows. Besides being huge, 

the double glass units posed another 

challenge because of the weight of 

glass panels. To accommodate these 

glass panels we employed special 

anchor bolts and brackets with coupling 

profiles for its installation. 

Apart from this, we have worked on 

some other very challenging and niche 

projects like Novotel Hotel, Mumbai 

and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) 

Nasik. These projects demanded 

addressing the problems of water 

ingress and sound cut respectively. 

With VEKA systems which adhere to 

International Standards, we were able 

to design and install window module 

designs and achieve high quality 

installation. 

 

features like Special Bottom Thresholds. 

The glass installed on the frames too, 

play a big role in the overall 

fenestration. Today users are changing 

to laminated and low ‘e’ options for 

greater safety, sound reduction and 

energy saving. 

MATERIAL AND TECHNOLOGIES 

FOR WINDOWS & DOORS 

INSTALLATION: 

Today, there is major impetus on 

installation safety for higher wind load 

criteria on higher floors. The standards 

for installation of windows have risen 

and sound penetration through wall and 

window gaps. Appropriate measures for 

sealing these gaps while installation are 

being considered today along with the 

usage of the required sized back-up 

rods and better quality sealants. The 

usage of foam, for filling up the gaps 

is also gaining larger acceptance. 

Especially with the design of larger 

modules at higher floors, VEKA 

systems have a wide range of various 

types of Coupling Profiles that make 

installation simple and very safe. 

Talking about glass front, there is a 

Rajesh Chawla is the strategic head of VEKA India. He is largely responsible for the 

overall development of VEKA’s pan India business and operations besides developing 

and adding innovative products to their existing uPVC window and door profiles 

portfolio. Under his leadership, VEKA, India has set up its own fabrication unit, 

warehouse and head office in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. It has been his pioneering 

efforts that VEKA has successfully built a wide network of dealers and fabrication 

associates across India. Prior to setting up VEKA India, Rajesh Chawla has a decade 

long working career with some of the renowned construction and façade companies 

in the country. Chawla holds a PG Diploma in Business Management post receiving 

a BE degree in Civil Engineering, today he applies his skills in strategic leadership, 

creating a India profit centre, B2B and B2C Sales and Channel Management; and 

improving efficiency for projects planning and execution. 


Design Practice 

a way forward 

“Sustainability Has No Bench Marks” 

Ar. Rajiv Khanna, Founder Principal, Studio KIA, New Delhi 

“Sustainability has no 

bench marks. It is the 

need of the day to 

design responsive 

built environment 

which knits and fits 

with nature. The more 

we respect nature, 

more humane the 

environment 

becomes.” 

Petioles: eyelevel view 

This complex rationale drives my 

expression towards simple yet 

crucial aspect of design which 

underlays the essence of architecture. 

More than 50% of the world’s 

population lives in cities. There is a 

need to re-densify and re-define them 

in order to create better infrastructure 

such that it proves advantageous to 

every individuals and also for the 

social, economic and environmental 

development of the society. The ever 

increasing urbanization and the 

consequent increase in demand for 

resources are leading to serious issues 

of sustainability. Society tends to take a 

back seat when people strive merely for 

individual benefits; the overall growth 

gets hampered. 

Cities and townships are being 

constructed to facilitate the influx of and 

the day-to-day requirements of people. 

Continued exploitation of the 

environment is showing consequences 

now. The need to not only safeguard 

nature but also try to replenish it has 

become a necessity today. While the 

infrastructure is being expanded and 

new technologies being incorporated to 

make everyday life easy, it is time we 

introspect on the ignored issues-- are 

we really making our livelihood easier? 

Are we in the process of complicating it 

by adding layers of infrastructure 

without focusing on the overall design? 

Is the harm being caused to our 

environment, reversible? 

While on one hand India has a vision to 

create 100 Smart Cities using smarter 

technology to create intelligent 

buildings and systems, on the other 

hand we are unabashedly destroying the 

environment. 

Buildings are responsible for a large 

portion of our emissions, and designing 

green buildings which rest lightly on the 

ground, is no rocket science. Firstly, the 

primary criteria for construction & 

architectural design is the use of a 

process creating zero waste. Secondly, 

the building must be able to adapt to 

changes and mature along with its 

occupants. Thirdly, as a product of the 

first two criteria, the building must have 

the ability to be disassembled in part or 

in whole to be re-assembled, reused or 

re-manufactured. Inter weaving the 

above three criteria, a sustainable yet 

economically viable design can be 

achieved. 

What we need to do, is to amalgamate 

technology and sustainability to 

generate overall benefit to the people 

and the global environment, as a whole. 

Instead of focusing on just the 

engineering and technological solutions, 

emphasis should be diverted to social 

dynamics of urban life, such that 


concentration is on global environmental 

aspects. 

Going back in time, we can sight 

various examples wherein environment 

was respected and conscientiously 

appreciated by our ancestors. Step wells 

or ‘baolis’ were created at appropriate 

locations in accordance with the 

topography of the Indian terrain. 

In modern times, cities like San 

Francisco and Vancouver are the leading 

green cities of the world. They are 

known to encompass people and the 

natural environment in the most valuebased 

evolutionary manner. With 

mandatory composting, garbage 

we need to adopt and create passive 

strategies such that all large scale 

buildings follow mandatory construction 

techniques that cause minimum 

pollution and other damages to the 

environment while conserving nonrenewable 

energy resources. 

Citing Chandigarh as an example of an 

ideally planned city, we can illustrate 

how cities can function better with 

enhanced planning and relative 

architecture. Instead of being blindly 

influenced by the architecture of the 

western world for mere cosmetic 

treatments, we should understand and 

adopt the values of our vernacular 

architecture that originated from the 

diverse and rich topography, climate 

SARE Cresent Parc site plan 

establish unique environments which 

serve as bespoke backdrops for the 

daily lives of its inhabitants. 

Petioles: aerial view 

segregation, green dining, development 

of public parks, dedicated bicycle lanes 

and pedestrian walkways, these cities 

have ensured wider participation of 

citizens in the implementation of 

sustainability while cultivating a healthy 

lifestyle and active living. San Francisco 

currently recycles 78% of its waste. 

As Architects, designers and developers, 

SARE Cresent Parc, club house 

and environment; unique to each place 

in India. 

An ongoing project, “Crescent Parc” in 

Gurgaon, sprawling over nearly 49 acres 

with an additional 17 acres alongside, 

is a township with over 4500 dwelling 

units. It is envisaged to treat the 

township as a town and engulf it with 

green areas while restoring and 

preserving the already existing green 

areas. It is planned and designed to 

address the need of each individual to 

We need to sensitize ourselves to the 

adverse effects on ecosystems and take 

a conscious organized approach towards 

rebuilding and resurrecting our cities to 

create sustainable and habitable 

environments with effective design 

solutions. For this purpose, we need to 

prioritize net-zero and net-positive 

buildings and cities. Each building 

relies on exceptional energy 

conservation to meet all of its heating, 

cooling and energy needs such that 

their annual usage of energy is equal to 

the net renewable energy they produce 

on site. These buildings are not only 

energy conserving but also store and 

purify water along with rain water/storm 

water harvesting. Additionally they carry 

out solid waste management and 

reduce, recycle and reuse the waste to 

save resources and the environment. 

Also, urbanization does not mean just 

constructing high-rises. It includes 

creating and designing cities with green 

societies, well-planned neighbourhoods, 

net zero buildings and intelligent 

architecture. 

 

Ar. Rajiv Khanna has nearly 35 years of experience in the inter- disciplinary fields of 

Architecture, Design, Management and Real Estate. And has been recognised by 

various publication houses like HAI(Hotel Association of India) Journal, Business Today, 

Business Standard, The Pioneer, Financial Express, HT and TOI. 

Founder Principal of Studio KIA, Rajiv’s works span across the country and on 

international platforms. The magnitude and type of projects include Master planning 

& urban design, Residential developments, Mixed Land Use projects, Hospitality and 

Retail environments, Recreational and leisure projects, Institutional and Educational 

profiles, and Corporate Interiors. 

Under his leadership the firm has established several local and international alliances 

thus bringing innovative techniques and design practices to the firm that are global 

in nature yet customized to the local needs. 

The international concerns include the Dubai Lifestyle City, Dubailand for ETA Group, 

Concept Creation of a mixed land-use development at Sharjah, Hospitality Project 

Design, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as also a 500 acre mixed land use cum residential 

development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 


Vernacular & Sustainable approaches 

synthesis 

Earthy Building Envelope 

redefining luxury at Sagara Resorts 

Pappal Suneja, B. Arch 5th Year, Dept. of Architecture, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 

“By drawing on 

vernacular and 

sustainable 

precedents we 

accumulate 

knowledge about how 

we can build by the 

decisions we make. 

The ultimate choice is 

in the hands of the 

budding architects 

whether or not to 

take up the motto of 

Recycle, up cycle, 

Reuse and Reduce.” 

The need for thermal comfort in the 

humid regions of the world offers 

a design challenge to builders 

everywhere. Restrictive budgets at times 

preclude the use of AC equipment or 

active solar system. Thus, the need of 

the hour implies use of creative 

solutions to reduce energy demands 

which can include use of renewable 

building materials or other locally 

available materials, built-in seats and 

beds to save money on furniture, brick 

arches instead of reinforced concrete 

lintels as they are much less costly 

than the latter and are just as strong. 

Further, an earthy envelope can be 

created by rendering building with 

exposed bricks as it negates the cost of 

painting and plastering. Innovative use 

of jali patterns in the walls with a vision 

of reducing material quantity and at the 

same time infusing fresh air into 

transitional spaces reduces dependence 

on artificial ways of ventilation. And, 

inculcation of mangalore tiles or earthen 

pots in roof slabs reduces the amount 

of reinforcement required as the 

concrete below the neutral axis being 

redundant is replaced by these filler 

materials, thereby making best usage of 

these unrequired earthen fillers with 

involvement of negligible energy. 

In Contrast of luxury being looked as an 

expensive construction and inefficient 

use of energy, one distinct example of a 

three star resort situated at Kovalam 

beach, Trivandrum is “Sagara Resort” 

that blends luxury with cost-effective 

and environment friendly living. This 

resort shares shores with famous light 

house at Kovalam beach. The design of 

the resort was outcome of Ar. Laurie 

Baker’s eco-friendly philosophy under 

the firm Cost-ford, Trivandrum. The 

most vivid application of sloping roof 

and the very famous Kerala window 

defines the skyline of the Kovalam 

beach with the presence of this resort. 

This Muti-storeyed resort stands amidst 

a large lot of building façades covered 

with plaster and paints. The design of 

resort in levels considers existing terrain 

with emphasis on retaining of the 

coconut trees on the site. 

The resort incorporates use of rat-trap 

bond in brick masonry that is laying 

bricks on edge and not flat. With this, 

the structure can carry 20% more load 

than conventional Flemish bond and the 


onded cavity in between the bond 

helps in controlling the temperature of 

interior spaces by creating air between 

bricks thus helping to maintain better 

insulation from heat and cold. Also, 

there is 25-30% cost reduction as fewer 

bricks are used while constructing a rat 

trap bond wall than a conventional bond 

and no mortar is required on the middle 

of the cross brick thus 40-50% of 

cement and sand is saved. Also, vivid 

application of filler slab technology 

lowers the resource required for 

construction by 30-35% as compared to 

conventional RCC slab and provides 

better insulation. Further, this 

abundantly reduces carbon footprint on 

Mother Earth and helps in energy 

conservation as this technology reduces 

dead weight of concrete by 30% by 

incorporating filler material – reduces 

quantity of steel and cement concrete 

required in construction of the roof slab. 

The planning of the resort features a 

good hierarchy of spaces including 

public waiting area to a semi-public 

triangular lobby housing a lift and 

staircase leading to corridors. The 

central triangular lobby is an active 

space being looked upon from the 

semi-private corridors above. Further, 

interplay of recesses and projections 

flanks dramatic feel with light and 

shadow effect by the brick jali walls. 

The overall orientation corresponds that 

each room opens up at one or the other 

aesthetic view. Then, it incorporates 

90+ rooms, 2 swimming pools, a 

multi-cuisine restaurant, a conference 

hall, a banquet hall and an Ayurveda 

cum yoga center. The dominant feature 

is the grand porch with granite piers 

capped with sloping roof welcoming the 

visitors to an awe-inspiring view of the 

Kovalam beach. Then, from the waiting 

and reception area is stepped passage 

leading to dining area with terrace, on a 

lower level, which looks over the 

coastline. 

On a concluding note, by drawing on 

vernacular and sustainable precedents 

we here by accumulate knowledge 

about how we can build by the 

decisions we make, be it be material 

we choose or the approach we follow. 

The ultimate choice is in the hands of 

the budding architects such that in 

order to target need, performance and 

efficient outcomes, we shall have to 

take up the motto of Recycle, up 

cycle, Reuse and Reduce. Lastly, an 

important consideration is that 

maintenance of the type of 

construction discussed above is far 

less as compared to modern 

construction method which adds to the 

USP towards attracting more and more 

to truly redefine what is meant as 

“Luxury”. 

 

Pappal Suneja believes that there are no boundaries or limitations to one’s imaginations 

and inventions in the field of Architecture. In these footsteps, he presented a paper 

on “A Radiant Revolution towards Rehabilitation of Slum Settlements”– published in 

National Conference Proceedings of ‘Rediscovering Cities’ 2015. He is also the first 

recipient of “Architectural Journalism Award”: Student Category (2013-2014) presented 

by A3 foundation, Chandigarh. The award was one of the jewels in his academic 

career, to which 16 Publications related to architecture and its allied fields add on to 

his credit. He has served as Vice President of NASA, India in the year 2014. At 

present, he is Coordinating Head of SIIA: Students of Indian Institute of Architects, 

Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter. He is also Content Editor at Architecture live and Organizing 

Head of A3 Foundation, Chandigarh. 


FURNITURE DESIGN 

With a life-long love of art, brother 

and sister duo Piero and Debla 

Manara established their New York 

Based Interior Design and 

Decorative Arts bureau in 1999 

first, then relocated to Monaco in 

2009 to create CASAMANARA, 

where they have joined their past 

experiences and creativity. 

Born in Italy and raised in Monaco, 

Piero and Debla Manara have 

created a diverse range of residential 

and commercial spaces around the 

world. Besides high-end residential 

projects, which remain at the core 

of their expertise, commercial 

projects of note include the much 

loved Monte Carlo nightclub 

Jimmy’z, the recently opened 

Volevatch showroom in Cannes, 

the Intuitions by Jérôme de Oliveira patisserie and the original 

Maya Bay restaurant in Monaco. 

(www.casamanara.com) 

Eclectic Design Vocabulary 

Instilling soul to a design unveils the timelessness of 

the product. This is the sole idea of Piero and Debla 

Manara’s design language which is spread across their 

multifarious design collections that besides leaving the 

user stunt with their art of designing, makes them get 

connected with the existence of non-living things 

BAR MARCELLO 

Combining strong lines framing an 

organic skin, Marcello is physical. 

The mix of fused glass beads with 

a finely hammered bronze gives 

Marcello, presence and personality. 

CALICE LAMPS 

These lamps bring a softer approach to our original "Calice Table lamp” part of our furniture 

collection designed for “Pouenat”. 

Replacing the metal shade with a fabric one, allows us to provide more light while playing with 

interesting weaves, as these shades are either made of raffia or woven horsehair, laminated into 

clear mylar sheets for stiffness. The overall contrast between the finishes of the metal and the 

roughness of the fabrics is purposeful in the way we like to combine textures. 

BUFFET RIPPLE 

The Italian post war of the 50's is embodied in this storage unit through the use of its 

materials. It is an architecture that sits proud on stilts and let itself be admired from all 

angles. The light and shadows chase each other on its surface, while your hand cannot 

refrain itself from lingering in a caress. 

TREE OF KNOWLEDGE 

BOOKSHELF 

In many ways, this bookcase holds the spirit 

of the way we like to design. Any object 

should look as beautiful “naked” then when 

finished; it must attract you and “talk” 

through it shape and proportions; it must aim 

to be useful and meaningful. 

If one portrays general knowledge with a 

mean to elevate oneself, then we would grow 

through layers, not horizontally but vertically. 

This “mille-feuilles” is therefore a 

representation to one’s curiosity and all the 

gaps that are still to be filled with new 

discoveries. It’s proportions are human as they 

provide a more accessible way to take a step 

towards it. And like humans, it aims to grow 

and transform itself through superimposed 

layers. 


CONSERVATORIO GAME CHAIR 

The Conservatorio series of chair is inspired by furniture designed for my Grand- 

Parents house in Milano in 1953. 

The stylised, almost sculpted shape of the legs, arms and back-rest is reminiscent of 

classical elements although modernised to fit in any interior. 

This game chair shall remain light with its simple upholstered back and will let itself 

be moved around easily. 

CONSERVATORIO LOUNGE CHAIR 

This “one and a half” seat has been designed to propose a proper seat to a mother 

with her child, or a lady with her handbag. Large but not deep, it will rest in any 

given corner of a bedroom, waiting for your clothes to come-off and cover her 

randomly although leaving enough room for you to rest. Her back is protective and 

she is as beautiful to look at from any angle. 

RADIANT CHAIR 

Like any "Clark Kent” transforming into a Superhero, we were able to instill into this 

mundane object a new purpose through a “cold 

spray” technique with metal. 

A few microns of nickel and gold particles are 

sprayed into the rattan structure, transforming 

this armchair into a glowing brand new 

beacon. This technique allows us 

to replace a mere 

coat of varnish or 

paint with a real 

shield of metal 

which will weather 

beautifully over time. 

SOFA AND MERIDIENNE MILANO 

The Milano Sofa holds a few of the design principles we care for – a solid back, an 

overhanging base and a strong design line. 

It is a destination more than an object, a pier that welcomes and protects you. It will not wait 

for you to sit on it; it reaches towards you. If it appears like a fortress on the outside with its 

strong straight walls, on the inside it shall seduce you and welcome you like a friend. 

OTTOMAN P+D 

P&D are keeping each other in balance. Family fuelling ideas, feeding dreams and fighting 

doubts. If the egg bears the soul of all humanity, it keeps this ottoman grounded so it would 

be your destination for a quick rest. And time to wonder. 

TABLE P+D 

Off-set from its center, this table is always in movement. The rotating pedestal could be 

placed upon one's wishes, so that this piece transforms itself from Display to Dining table. 

The materials used in this version are mixing reflective and opaque surfaces as well as smooth 

and intricate textures, enriching the eye as much as the touch. 


CONSOLE 

CARLO 

This is a statement; a 

tribute. It is a negative 

space framed by what earth 

provides in its most sublime 

form. You can also use it if 

you really need to, but in 

reality you will just want to 

have it, as it will help define 

the space around you. 

SIDE TABLES LINK 

Link is a trait d'union between many styles. It would sit comfortably in any environment 

depending on the finishes it would wear. Unwittingly, you would first rest an eye on it, 

moving from the poured glass top to the walnut frame to the hammered bronze legs. 

GINETTES TABLE 

This multipurpose table is mainly destined for service areas such as offices, 

kitchens and breakfast rooms. With its multiple legs gathered together, it’s steel 

floor plate and the top floating above it all, this table is a solid piece of 

architecture, allowing a free flow around it. Other finishes and shapes are 

available upon request. 

BRERA FOLDING SCREEN 

This screen plays with fabrics in a contemporary way holding it between sheets of glass, yet 

keeping its creases and folds. Depending on the direction of the light, the screen will 

occasionally reveal it’s transparency and at times reflect, thus intriguing even more. It’s dark 

Mahogany wood frame mixed with the coppery tones of the fabric are reminiscent of Asian 

influences. 

TV CABINET SHADOW-1 & SHADOW-2 

These three elements are sculpted little 

architectures, providing depth and expression to 

an otherwise simple shape. They would compose 

a chain where the result would be greater than 

the sum of its parts. By cutting the light with 

proud angles, they aim to be strong and expressive to the eye as much as 

the hand. 

NOEL ART 

SCREEN 

This work is part of our 

collaborations with artists in 

various fields. After a couple 

of collaborations with 

Ceramist, Martine Ménard, we 

have asked the Painter, 

Fortunée Noël, to create for us 

an abstract dyptique for the 

"1968-Anno Zero” show in 

Milano. This work of art is 

part of the “Casamanara” art 

collection and will be used to 

promote her work. 



Fenny Ganatra and her debut 

product ‘Bounce’, both 

received international coverage 

and acclaim, led to founding 

of the brand Fenny G. 

Being the ‘Master Designer’, 

Fenny Ganatra inspires the 

design principles of the 

products developed under this 

brand i.e., to explore various 

materials and technologies and 

to create eccentric products. “I think design is a judicious mix 

of form, function and technology that enhances the experience 

of users” explains Fenny Ganatra. 

Fenny G currently has two collections – Bounce & Frozen – 

under which she herself has designed a few products. 

Dramatic Elegance 

Creative and relaxing collection by Fenny Ganatra 

brings out her artistic craftmanship that transmutes 

contrasting material and technology that will turn out 

to be the pride of one’s living space 

Bounce Collection: 

Made by reinventing and simplifying every aspect of seating, the bounce collection 

intuitively gives relaxation a new avatar – lean, light & pro-responsive. 

The Bounce chairs are minimal, but compelling due to its intriguing function. It is when 

you sit that all the elements come together to leave a feeling of levitation. It’s not only 

great fun to sit-on but also ventilates and supports your body, making it comfortable to siton 

for longer hours. Give it a nudge and the elasticity of the silicone makes it easy to get 

out too. 

Bounce – Uno 

Body Colours : black, white & transparent 

Knit Colours : black, white, red, blue & green 

Price : INR 40,800 

Materials : Poly Carbonate & silicone 

Features : weatherproof, stackable, weight limit 150kgs 

Frozen Collection: 

The Frozen collection will include exquisite and timeless assortments of handcrafted products 

with an added personalized service for customization. ‘Forzen’ was debuted at Maison et 

Objet, Paris, 2013. 

Though the form looks natural, be rest assured, each curve & bend is individually designed 

to look good together. All the pieces are handcrafted in India as per the designs and then 

coated with Corian (like) material to give a monogamous look. The intent finally is to have 

functional art to enhance the look of a space. 

Made to Order at INR 4,00,000 for a 9 seater dining table. 

Bounce – Splint 

Body Colours : black & white 

Knit Colours : black, white, red, blue & green 

Price : INR 30,100 

Materials : Mild Steel & silicone 

Features : weatherproof, flat-packed, weight limit 150kgs 



Serbian designer, Irena Kilibarda, 

believes that design can and should 

always be both functional and 

beautiful. For her, the two factors 

should never have to be mutually 

exclusive. With this mantra in mind, 

she founded her own product and 

interior design cabinet dsignedby. 

in 2008 with the help of her sister 

Iva and has been pursuing the 

realisation of this ethos ever since. 

Specialising in highly advanced LED and OLED technology, 

dsignedby. produces original pieces of statement furniture and 

products that are as aesthetically beautiful as they are impressive 

in terms of their technology. Coming from a background of 

architectural design, Irena Kilibarda has mastered the art of 

combining simplicity with classic influences before adding 

final high-tech touches on her out-of-the-ordinary designs. It 

is this nod to both the legacy and future of product design 

that is dsignedby.’s hallmark. 

(http://dsigned-by.cc/) 

Design Stratum 

Table T by dsignedby. is a synonym to ‘innovation- 

LED-design’. Their pragmatic approach towards its 

functionality, ergonomics and aesthetics are well stated 

via its articulation and construction technique. Table T 

speaks for a leading edge ontology in furniture designing, 

upholding sustainable practices 

It’s a collection of tables made out of Corian® and Dupont combined with wood and metal 

for indoor or outdoor use with LED light strips incorporated. Rechargeable battery or electrical 

cable can be used as energy source for LED. It is available in solid and illumination series 

Corian® in 3 sizes: small, medium and large. 

The idea for Table “T” goes back to 2012, but became “alive” in the beginning of April 2013 

with its first prototype in ice-white colour. It reflects delicate designs by combining smooth lines 

and materials. Built in LED strip will be the bridge light source between a romantic candle light 

and futuristic feeling of Corian® illumination Series Dupont as the main material, metallic 

painted holding structure and solid wood as its standing parts. 

The essential idea of the designer was to combine Corian® with more than one material, try to 

make it stable without its usual “under-construction”. The most challenging construction detail 

was solving the incorporation of the metallic holding structure with the illumination Series 

without it being visible, when LED strip is lit. LED light is passing through the white semitransparent 

surface leaving the linear graphics behind. 

Construction 

As the size of the table varies, the construction technique changes. Table T size L has four 

verticals due to its width of 92cm and length of 160cm. Table T size M has one vertical due to 

its’ width of 75cm and length of 75cm. Our non standard size BIG, 240x92x72cm, has six 

verticals to support the Corian table top. The metallic construction is dismantled easily and the 

wooden part could be unscrewed from the upper part for easier displacement and packing of the 

table. The dimensions are picked to suit the width of standard Corian boards so the material is 


Colour combinations: Spring/Summer 2014 

Serpentine Green solid Corian®, Dupont, cooked Wenge natural solid wood, 

powder/soft pink colour of metallic construction – 75x75x72cm 

Athena Gray solid Corian®, Dupont , Oak solid wood oiled in light gray, Aqua Sky 

14-4811 Pantone chart colour of metallic construction – 75x75x72cm 

Deep Gray solid Corian®, Dupont, Oak solid wood oiled in dark gray, galvanized 

copper construction – 75x75x72cm 

Blueberry ice illumination series Corian®, Dupont, LED white light incorporatedgranmmas’ 

graphics, Chinese cherry oiled natural solid wood, Monaco Blue 19-3964 

Pantone chart colour of metallic construction – 75x75x72cm 

Colour combinations: Autumn/Winter 2014 

Ice White illumination series Corian®, Dupont, Chinese cherry oiled natural solid 

wood, copper metallic construction – 75x75x72cm 

Arrowroot solid Corian®, Dupont, Iroko oiled natural solid wood, brass metallic 

construction – 75x75x72cm 

Table T®, size S 

Ice White illumination series Corian®, Dupont, Wenge solid oiled natural wood painted 

metallic construction in yellow – 120x70x49cm. This table has the LED warm white light 

inside its’ top with the engraved graphics that could be seen only when light is on. 

Table T®, BIG 

Ice White illumination series Corian®, Dupont, Oak solid natural wood painted with 

acrylic white mat paint, copper metallic construction – 240x92x72cm. This table has the 

LED warm white light inside its’ top with the engraved graphics that could be seen only 

when light is on. 

used without many left over. The paint used for the metallic construction suits the 

sustainable idea of the table; all the materials used are sustainable. 

Manufacture 

Corian®, and Dupont as a high-end solid sustainable material used in home as well as 

in retail, hospitality or medical environments comes in the boards of 6-19mm of 93/76cm x 

365cm. 

It is cut, prepared and glued with the Corian® liquid glue in precise colour manually for 

later-on CNC cutting and forming the 3D structure of the table. To get the sleek final result, 

tables are polished manually with 5 different granulations of the abrasive. 

The metallic construction is also made manually, coated in any RAL or Pantone colour or 

galvanized into brass, copper or stainless steel. Solid wood of the Table T® collection is 

manufactured from the high quality solid wood. 

Materials used 

Solid wood- Strajko, Serbia 

Metallic construction and Corian manufacture- dsignedby 

Corian, Dupont 

LED light- Hafele Loox, Serbia 

Table T®, size L 

Ice white illumination series Corian®, Dupont, Chinese Cherry solid natural oiled wood, 

warm white LED light 3200K incorporated-linear graphics, black painted metallic construction 

– 160x92x72cm 

Table T®, size M. 

Colour combinations: Autumn/Winter 2013 

Athena Gray solid Corian®, Dupont, Wenge solid oiled natural wood, galvanized brass 

metallic construction – 75x75x72cm 

Deep Gray solid Corian®, Dupont, Wenge solid oiled natural wood, galvanized copper 

metallic construction – 75x75x72cm 



Studio Wood is a collaborative 

design hub which houses 

everything design, from 

conceptualization, execution of 

comprehensive spaces to 

bespoke furniture ranges – all 

under one roof. 

With varied expertise in the 

team ranging from an architect, 

Sahej Bhatia; interior designer, 

Navya Aggarwal; and product 

designer, Vrinda Mathur; they 

bring together a great mix of 

good design enveloped with 

precise execution and an 

enhanced thought process. Over the years, they have learnt 

that experiences are guided by the places one live in. So their 

design is not a derivative of the place but of the people who 

will inhabit it. 

Joinery Expression 

Studio Wood has reinvented the ornamental 

woodwork of joinery - The Knots & Crosses - 

taking a cue from the traditional Mortise & Tennon 

joint. These elegant masterpieces are designed 

to transport one’s heart and mind to calm and 

serene beach 

The Knots and Crosses Dining Set was designed and created for Studio Wood’s 2nd 

Collection, 28’N 77’E, which was showcased in May 2015. This unique experimental 

piece was a part of the Oak range which was guided by the theme of a serene landscape 

setting. The look and material palettes were chosen keeping in the mind the rough land that 

meets the softness of the sea. 

For the dining table, an engineered concrete top was set on a hand-carved solid Oak wood 

structure to achieve the desired essence. The engineered concrete was a first-time for the 

studio, and executed by Convow, experts in the field of engineered concrete. Keeping in mind 

the use of this dining for an indoor/outdoor space, easy maintenance of the material was a 

priority. The water-proof quality of this concrete added this function. This lightweight concrete 

was cast on a wooden circular base. Studio Wood added their element by designing the legs 

that have a knot like form. This solid Oak structure was detailed beautifully with joineries 

such as a Mortise & Tenon and a Lap Joint to show expert craftsmanship that the studio 

proudly showcases. The joinery of the top and wooden base was fairly simple – a set of 

stainless steel screws – that helps transport this structure with ease. 

The dining chairs also have a structure of solid Oak wood. With the knotted form of wooden 

legs and an ergonomic hand-carved curved back, the chairs matched perfectly to the dining 

table. Replicating the same joineries, Mortise & Tenon and a Basic Butt Joint, the 

construction of chairs was planned in a similar fashion as the table. The fabric-clad seat was 

simply screwed onto the wooden structure for cleaning purposes. The upholstery was a direct 

derivative of the sea and water theme. A blotched ink graphic, usually seen when blending 

ink and water, was replicated with a tranquil blue and calm ochre combination. 

This dining sits perfectly for on a farmhouse deck, waiting for a Sunday brunch to be laid 

out on. The table stands strong in structure, yet light to the eyes because of the natural 

shades of grey and oak complimenting the outdoors whereas the chairs are a testimony to 

the elegance of the sea. 


LIGHTING DESIGN 

Avni Sejpal is a Mumbai based 

architect and designer 

dedicated to experimental 

research in design through a 

deep investigation of materials 

and structure; in pursuit of 

sustainable manufacturing 

solutions. 

She holds a degree in 

Architecture from KRVIA, 

Mumbai and an MA in 

Environmental Design (Majors in Furniture, Public Art and 

Graphics) from the Chelsea College of Art & Design, London. 

Studio Avni (founded in 2011), spearheaded by Avni Sejpal, 

is a multi disciplinary creative studio that focuses on design 

and production of bespoke lighting, textiles, statement furniture, 

installation environments and objet d'art. 

Her meteoric career earned a reputation for design excellence, 

winning industry awards and gaining coverage in a host of 

prestigious publications and books such as Architecture Digest, 

Elle Decor, Casa & Giordano, Surface Asia and Colleczioni, to 

name a few. 

Design Transcendence 

The diverse entity of nature always takes us on a 

surprising stroll. The very essence of its existence 

forms a vivid living grammar. Architect and designer, 

Avni Sejpal is one among the lot who identifies this 

intriguing notion of nature to give us, what we call 

– nature-centric design morphology 

The Fin cloud lights were specially commissioned by Red Architects for the stores at the 

international airport terminal T2, Mumbai to create a sculptural statement for the space. 

The lights are based on the Fin Cloud series and are a sculptural take on biomorphism. The 

idea was based on a sea creature that would take over the ceiling in an organic yet elegant 

and monolithic in composition. Bilateral symmetry is special to us since it’s the most 

recognized balanced form found in nature. The concept is furthered by replicating and 

arraying fin modules around the central spine of the structure. The ethereal light sculpture 

generated is reminiscent of scaly marine creatures such as sea anemone and jellyfishes 

displaying forms that have a physical and 

mathematical basis. The evolved light structures 

are biological analogues of these creatures, 

mimicking their bilateral geometries, not only by 

reflection but also by rotation of repeated 

elements. The brass metal fins are first cut, 

folded and then linked meticulously piece by 

piece creating a slightly irregular organic 

sculpture that radiates an ethereal ambient light. 

The lights have an organic character based on 

simple classic balanced structures. The fin 

textures create a scintillating light sculpture even 

when they are not lit. Light permeates from 

behind the fins resulting in a luminous ambient 

light character. The design involves integrating 

material integrity and longevity using basic 

construction principles and applications to find 

new means of expression. With references to 

strong geometrical construction principles, the 

entire collection is handmade, borrowing from 

the legacy of rich Indian handicrafts. 

The production of these is a series of manual 

processes which can involve as many as one 

thousand hand cut, hand polished pieces of 

brass and hundreds of hours of craftsmanship 

working with and finishing the brass the work is 

completed. 


Advertorial 

Hi-tech and luxury- 

The New Edge 

While the buoyant young Indian grapples between finding cutting-edge 

products through several price points in the huge electrical market, the 

manufacturers have a chance to deliver new value through their products. 

Over five decades, Anchor has stood apart clutter-breaking switches & 

accessories and still continues being distinct in the said vertical for residences. 

Panasonic Group Company, is growing steadily in segments such as Lighting, 

Switchgear, Fans as well as Wires and Cables. 

From an architectural point of view, the 

company has unveiled a new range in 

switches as well as a special range in 

LED lighting that gives a perfect edge 

to a luxurious residence. The company 

has not left this limited to residential 

lighting only, the range- ‘Smart Archi’ 

is designed using the amassed 

technologies from Panasonic dedicated 

to the mission of refining quality of 

light for commercial premises too. It is 

thus able to deliver uniform, stress-free and glare-less light through dramatically 

improving the performance of reflective surfaces and utilizing the properties of 

LED to achieve lighting with the highest efficiency. 

While introducing LED lighting that adheres to International Electrotechnical 

Commission (IEC) Standards, the company has not forgotten to introduce 

distinction in its core business of switches and accessories. 

On top end, Domina Plus Home Automation and Ave Sistema 44 are offering 

the optimum comfort levels to luxury premises with combination of Touch, 

Rocker as well as i-Pad controls. The IF Award Winning Panasonic Vision 

Wiring Devices are using LED with Sensors for products such as Footlights, 

thus adding a new touch to the integration of electricals and electronics. These 

also boast the Screw-less termination technology. 

As the company experiments with new materials to add comfort to the lives 

further, it is endeavouring to also raise the product quality standards for 

majority business verticals. One can experience LED lighting in action at 

Panasonic LED Lighting Experience Centres in Mumbai & Bengaluru. 

For more details please contact: 

Anchor Electricals Pvt. Ltd. 30418888 

Panasonic LED lighting Experience Centre 

Mumbai: Mr. Javed Memon – Tel: +91- 022 -32624926 

Bengaluru: Mr. Jagadesh . S - Tel: +91- 080 – 41230036 



Published on 1st of every month W.P.P. Lic No. MR / TECH / WPP-26 / SOUTH / 2014-15 Regd. No. MH / MR / K'devi-58 / 2013-15 

Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel Sorting Office Mumbai - 400 001 on 3rd & 4th of Every Month

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