Sustainable, technologically advanced, and adaptive designs are the future.

- Ruchi Mishra, Head- Design & Interiors, New Modern Buildwell Pvt Ltd

“Digitally fabricated designs and facades are a revolutionary trend that has enabled the use of conventional materials in creating complex geometry,” says Ms. Ruchi Mishra, Business Head- Design & Interiors, New Modern Buildwell Pvt Ltd. Excerpts from the interview…

What is your take on the latest trends in facades globally and also in India? 

Today we need a lot more than just the traditional stone, glass and aluminium composite panels for the building facades. We need new products keeping Indian climate, dust, humidity and low maintenance in mind. Sustainable adaptive façade systems are a global trend these days. There is an advent of products available such as high pressure laminates, acrylic, zinc, copper and steel. However, these materials are still in experimental stage and not recommended by many architects in our climatic conditions.

Factors such as increasing residential and non-residential construction and infrastructural activities are expected to drive the façade systems market in developing countries of Asia-Pacific and the Middle East & Africa.

How do you assess the shift towards more of performance-centric facades? 

Adaptive and environment responsive façade designs have become the need globally where we have to see solar heat gain, day lighting and micro climate of building in response to the respective climatic conditions. This enables to reduce the consumption of electricity and subsequently the power bills are reduced. There are several intangible performance analysis which shows increased comfort and enhanced performance of the occupants.

We all have to do scenario planning, where we need all our buildings to be future ready to handle any natural hazard and do minimum harm to the environment. Use of local and sustainable materials will be the trend for years to come.

How have you been able to leverage the benefits of disruptive technologies while designing and executing a project?

Today we architects and designers have technologies that enable us to imagine and experiment unique forms and complex designs of buildings. These advanced softwares help us to study the behaviour of any façade, be it solar study, wind analysis, various load analysis, disaster study and finally construction scheduling even before the building construction starts.

These technologies have enabled us to collaborate and analyse the behaviour of any building and provide fully coordinated drawings at site, usually we release 3D interactive model which enables the site engineers to view and understand the virtual building itself at site. We are using BIM technology along with various other designing and analysis softwares.

What are the major challenges while executing a project?

The major challenges that we face is convincing the client to invest on these technologically advanced facade systems, since these require a large capital investment and returns are long term. Also we do not have skilled people to execute these technologically advanced structures on site.

What are major trends in use of materials for innovative facades? 

We as responsible designers have tried to use sustainable and responsive designs in all our projects. Talking about facades we have used green façade, performance glass and steel for our Knowledge Centre Project. We are aiming to get it green rated.

On the design front what are the trends especially computational designs and using digital elements and light? 

Digitally fabricated designs and facades are a revolutionary trend that has enabled use of conventional materials in creating complex geometry. Use of metal, wood and various other composite materials extensively for such digitally fabricated structure not only provide diversity but also transcend the plausible use of such material. The results are whimsical and astonishing while play of light in these structures makes the whole ambience animated and surreal.

What do you think the major parameters in the selection the type of material?

The major parameters for any material selection is the budget of client, climate of the zone, locally available materials (are our first choice for any project). We prepare various 3D designs and present before our client and once selected we use our team of experts who execute such projects to go and install such projects.

What is your take on performance testing of the facade systems at the design stage itself?  

Performance testing is essential for two reasons - firstly, to ascertain the system behaviour under various conditions and to demonstrate the integrity of the building envelope before construction; and secondly, to avoid overdesign incurring and make the project feasible. However, in our country we have very few facade performance testing laboratories which leaves no scope for value engineering and system optimization.

Yet through BIM technology we can analyse and optimize performance of any structure to a great extent. We have been doing that for past few years.

Maintenance is one major area which has, so far, been not given the due focus. What is your take on this?

Facade access system plays a very important role in keeping the facade timeless. Appropriate facade access system needs to be planned right at the concept stage such that the anchors or structures required for the system such as BMUs, monorail etc can be integrated with the facade design and does not project out.

Could you brief us on the core strength and competencies of REPL and why should a customer opt for service and solutions?

We as group of companies are providing comprehensive solutions in the field of real-estate and AEC industry which starts from collaborative and comprehensive design consultancy to PMC
and construction of such facilities. We are also a pioneer where we are providing software and technological support to fellow AEC companies and students in this field.

What is the impact of the pandemic on the industry, what are the challenges and how do you foresee the future trends?

Pandemic has effected all the sectors, reality sector being the worst hit. However there is a silver lining to every cloud as we see thing are slowly going back on track with major steps taken by the government. However nothing will remain same, we have to learn to adapt and accept the vulnerability of industry.

We have to learn to adapt to the new technologies and learn to live with nature not go against it. Sustainable, technologically advanced, intelligent and adaptive designs are the future.

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