5th Edition – Zak World of Façades India

The building façade plays a vital role in bringing the architect’s vision to life. It makes a major contribution to the sustainability of a building, influencing both energy efficiency and the quality of the internal climate. It is also an integral part of the building’s aesthetic, complementing the structural form and defining its visual impact on the urban environment. In India, we still miss the fundamentals of the façade, which is a complex subject for most of us.

The 5th edition of Zak World of Façades held on the 14th of June at Taj Coromandel in Chennai focused on the performance & functional aspects of a façade. While the previous edition in Mumbai focused on the issues of the industry, this edition tried to give solutions to those issues. One such solution proposed was the need for a self-regulatory body of the industry. The Indian Façade & Fenestration Association (IFFA) was launched to streamline the current working affairs of the industry.

About 320 representatives from architects, builders, façade consultants, contractors and other delegates from the façade & fenestration fraternity were present throughout the four-sectioned full day program. Each section was divided into different themes.

The first session on design & testing commenced by a presentation on “The art of deigning a façade” by Padmashri CN Raghavendran from CRN Associates. Presenting next wasSimon Chin from Winwall Technology who stressed upon “The need for a façade performance test”. The session ended with an interactive group discussion moderated by Dev Chandwani from Innovators Façade Systems on “Best design practices for façades” which included panelists Ar Oscar Concessao from OCI Architects, Nitin Bhatia from Facet Construction Engineering, Ramesh Kumar from Noble Consolidated Glazings & Simon Chin from Winwall.

The second session on performance & functionality of façades which began with Ar Varun Kolhi from Merge Studios, New York presenting on “High performance façades” with a case study of the Karle Town SEZ building in Bangalore. KR Suresh from Axis Façades spoke next on “High performing materials for façades” which was followed by a presentation on “Quality installations using cast-in-anchor channels” by Suman Dhas from Halfen India. The session ended with a panel discussion on “The art of building a high performance façade”moderated by Selvam R from Geotrix. Key issues such as how to make the façade fireproof, soundproof, energy efficient & green were discussed. Apart from the above speakers, the other panelists included Sthaladipti Saha from Larsen & Toubro ECC, Afzal Contractor from GE Silicones, Pankaj Keswani from Alufit & Naren Kumar from Saint-Gobain Glass.

The third session on was on value additions for façades started with Anil Agarwal from Global Aluminium presenting on “High precision aluminium profiles” to be followed by Alex Dantziguian from Technoform speaking on “Thermal efficiency for façades through thermal break solutions”. Next to present was Graziano D’Mello from Lavaal on “European hardware for façades” to be followed by Satish Kumar from Elumatec on “Automation & optimization of façade production”

The penultimate panel discussion on “High performance aluminium windows” communicated about the functional aspects, green rating & role of glass in windows. Moderated by Satish Kumar, the panelist included Ar K Balasubramaniam from CRN Associates, Prakash Kumar from ITC Hotels, Faizer Ali Dastagir from Bhari Metals, Ashok Jain from Fuso Glass &Rahul Aggarwal from Agarvanshi Aluminium.

The final session started off with a breathtaking presentation by Ar Manit Rastogi on “Integrated façade design – façade as an environment filter” followed by the launch ofQUALINDAL, which is the general licensee of QUALICOAT – The world’s leading quality label certification for aluminium surface finish.

The concluding panel discussion moderated by Selvam R from Geotrix comprised of the most senior and well-respected individuals from the Indian construction fraternity. Padmashri CN Raghavendran, Partner, CRN Associates; MV Satish, Executive Vice President, Larsen & Toubro ECC; BVM Sarma, Vice President & Head – Infrastructure, Tata Consultancy Services, Mahesh Arumugam, Director Meinhardt Façade & Jawahar Hemrajani, Director, Glass Wall Systems deliberated on the current state of affairs of the Indian façade industry.

This panel discussion was an eye opener for the industry as it emphasized on the change that needs to be done in the industry right from the most powerful voices of India’s biggest infrastructure giants Larsen & Toubro and India’s biggest IT giants Tata Consultancy Services.

The exhibition display showcased 12 exclusive engineering components for façades, which included aluminium extrusions from Agarvanshi Aluminium & Global Aluminium, cast-in-anchor channels from Halfen, glazing tapes from Pentagon, hardware from Cotswold & Lavaal, sealant from GE Silicones, ventilated cladding from Frontek, testing equipment fromOzone-EDTM, thermal break solutions from Technoform Bautec and aluminium processing machines from Elumatec. Glass Wall Systems showcased their solutions for façade engineering.

This edition of Zak World of Façades will be a an significant day to remember as many key deliberations on critical subjects that have never been examined before in public were confidently addressed by one and all to ensure that bloopers do not occur during the façade execution time.

Speakers and Panelists
Associate Director, Innovators Facade Systems
Executive Director, Fuso Glass India
CEO & Director, Geotrix Building Envelope
With over 20 years of experience as an Civil Engineering background, Selvam started his career in Singapore addressing construction management and managed complex façade of buildings to a tune of S$ 300 million with world renowned façade company until 2010....
Managing Director, FACET Façade Engineering
Nitin has trained as an architect and has worked across disciplines including design, management, R&D and forensics and is currently working on several projects in India and overseas including super tall buildings such as the 117 floor World One Tower...
Head- EDRC, L&T ECC
Saha has completed his Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Jadavpur University, India in 1989 and has been with L&T since then. He played a key role in the design of many landmark pre-cast structures like JawarharLal Nehru Stadium at Chennai, Hitec...
CEO, Noble Consolidated Glazings
The pioneering spirit of the group comes from Mr. Ramesh Kumar, CEO along with Mr. Jaya Gopi, COO who are recognized experts in the Glazing Industry. The Core business was from Architectural Aluminium Systems and the company went on to...
National Head & Structural Glass Solutions, Saint-Gobain Class
Mr. Naren Kumar is an engineer by qualification from the REC Allahabad and subsequently obtained his Post Graduate degree in Management from the prestigious SP Jain Institute of Management and Research. With rich experience of over 14 years in the...
Executive VP & Head-Buildings & Factories IC, L & T ECC
Mr. M.V. Satish (MVS) has spent a large part of his career in overseas assignments. In an eventful innings of close to three decades, MVS has handled interesting assignments and played crucial roles in the development of L&T Construction, both...
VP & Head Infrastructure, TATA Consultancy Services
Academically, Mr.Sarma holds an M.S. in Project Management from Anna University and Diploma in Marketing Management and Production Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management, Mumbai. He did his Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Technology from Andhra University. Sarma’s...
Principal Architect, Merge Studios, New York
Varun formed Merge Studio in 2010; a studio fundamentally grounded on principles of environmentally responsive design. He is currently heading major design projects globally incorporating a multitude of typologies including commercial, retail, multi-residential, master-planning and hospitality based projects spread out...
Principal, Shripal and Venkat Architects
A passionate designer, with an eye for detail, Shripal has been practicing architecture and interior design for more than two and a half decades. SVA has designed integrated townships, gated communities, institutional buildings, senior living communities, mixed use commercial projects,...
Partner, CRN Associates
Raghavendra is the Chairman of CII – LEED India, a committee to Indianize the Green Building rating for Energy Efficient Buildings in India. He is a pioneer architect and a recipient of the Indian Institute of Architects award for ‘Excellence...
Director, Glass Wall Systems
Born with an aim to conquer his ambition in life and goal. He started working as a entrepreneur to take path in achieving his vision. With over two decade plus experience in Façade industry.He has played a pivotal role in...
Regional Director - South Asia, Meinhardt Façade Technology
Mahesh provides the strategic leadership as the Regional Director for Meinhardt Group and Façade Consultancy business in South Asia. He has been in the Engineering Consultancy Services and Construct industry for over 27 years. His experience ranges from Aluminium Glazing...
Managing Director, Winwall Technology India
Simon has been with Winwall since 1992 setting up curtain wal and window performance testing facilities. He has tested and inspected more than 800 projects from Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, India& China. Along with this he is a...
Principal Architect, Oscar & Ponni Architect
Oscar Concessao completed his B.Arch Degree from the Regional Engineering College, now NIT Tiruchirapalli in 1986, and 1987. After graduation in India, Oscar went to the USA on a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, Norman and did his Master’s...
Managing Director, Alufit
Style and charisma personified, suave and enterprising to the core, pankaj Keswani is the founder Managing Director of the 300 Cr. Indian Façade conglomerate – Alufit. Alufit is today a renowned name in the aluminium curtain wall industry and over...
Regional Director, Avante Facades Consulting
With a view to lead by example through devoted work ethics and constant innovation, Suresh is one of the most sought after façade consultants of India with a unique approach of integrating and detailing to insure that all elements of...
Conference Agenda
Photo Gallery
Event Details
Sponsors