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Glass building inside Dome Berl
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Facades and building envelopes are stage effects for your building. Not only do they offer residents temporary or permanent respite from the dust and grime, they also act as landmarks of a city

When the railway terminal, Victoria Terminus (VT), was built in 1888, Mumbai had yet to see anything like it. Built on the Gothic Revival elements with matted gargoyles leaping off its facade and a pair of imperious lions guarding its entrance, the facade is a piece of art that inspires awe.

That was then. Since then, there have been much advancements in the aesthetics of exterior surfaces. Today, besides stone, facades are made of hurricane-resistant aluminium composite materials with high strength organic fibre, bolted glass and fenestration components, liquid-applied flashing system, and some more.

The technicalities

Kanchi V, a project manager with Cushman & Wakefield, says: “Innovations in building envelopes and facades have been seeing a gigantic leap in terms of technology over the last 25 years. However, they should be able to address a few prospective problems. Facades and envelopes should be sustainable and energy efficient, minimise liability and stem risks from mould issues.”

It is important that the mechanical components of a facade comply with the above-mentioned standards. These include a large number of low-emissivity openings, high-performance lighting in corridors and rooms in the building, a closed loop geothermal system, radiant floors and corridors, ventilated thermal panels and a heat recovery ventilation system.

The outer faced works in several ways and can offer multiple benefits. The double-paned glass envelopes can reduce heat loss and provide an insulating inductance that help conserve heat in winter and allow cool air in summer by eliminating direct contact with the exterior. Here the most important factor is reducing infrared radiation without neutering the light of the sun.

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Ventilated facade: Modern architecture demands sleek finishes by using materials that are aesthetic, and diverse in nature. This type of facade can ensure protection of the outer wall while meeting architectural requirements.

Most important, it offers two important aspects which put together are rare – weatherproofing and protecting the ventilation of the walls. Here it is the aluminium substructure that bears the load of the facade, thus making the cladding dependable and lightweight.

This type of facade creates an air pocket that moves between the wall it covers and the external cladding.

Glass facades: These are the most common types of facades. Usually used to distinguish commercial buildings, glass facades add a sheen that liquid-applied flashing system cannot. Moreover, one need not drill the glass anymore. There are special clamps available in anodised version or high-quality aluminium that can be used to look pleasing and part of the design.