19th Edition – Zak World of Façades India

After stupendous success of the initial three seasons, the fourth season of Zak World of Façades conference series in India kicked started in Mumbai on 22nd April 2016, with an all new emphasis on the National Building Code and every pressing issue of the fire safety and the return on investment for façades. The one-day conference held at ITC Maratha saw a never before gathering some of the most prominent and appreciated names from the construction industry in India and abroad, sharing their expertise and experience in order to achieve best façade execution practices.

As the city’s buildings face some peculiar challenges with respect to providing sustainable accommodation and working abodes, façades play an irrefutable role in their functionality. Needless to say, this edition exhibited some of the finest façade products and hosted some highly technical, but relevant to India context, façade talks. The event was intimate, with around 415 attendees who thronged the grand ballroom of ITC Maratha. The endeavour was to unite the ever expanding brigade of experts in the field of façades and building envelopes, to bring to fore the novice ideas and improvise the old and thereby enabling an adept and empowered façade industry. The conference doubled up as a unique platform for networking and enhancing business relationships.

In one of the many firsts that Zak World of Façades is known to bring to the industry, the 14th edition started well in time as per the schedule and this was possible due the cooperative audience who took their seats well before time. On a positive note, Tariq Kachwala, Director of FG Glass, who was the event convener initiated the conference proceedings immediately after. Relating the past journey of Zak World of Façades, Syed Ahad Ahmed, Director, Zak Group, welcomed the audience and hence begun the much awaited technical presentations.

The first session saw an informative presentation by Sourabh Kankar, Regional Manager – Architectural, Modiguard, who took the audience from rendering to reality and highlighted the principles of glass selection for façades. This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Prashanth Reddy, Managing Director & CEO, FunderMax India who elaborated on using high pressure laminates (HPL) as a façade material while explaining their benefits and highlighting aesthetic & functional superiority of of HPL as a sustainable material. Next to present was the dynamic Micha Pawelka, Managing Director, Priedemann Building Envelope Consultants of UAE, who asked the audience a petulant question if “façade guidance services is an add-on investment?” and fluidly answered the same while presenting a case study on consequence of not availing a competent service team and the session ended with a networking break.

The second session with the first keynote presenter of the day – Raj Patel, Managing Director & Design Principal, KEO International Consultants of United Arab Emirates who enthralled the audience with a unique outlay of explorations in forms, façades and patterns with some unique case studies of his iconic projects in the Middle East. As if taking the cue, explaining how design can be transformed to real façades, Matthijs Bruijnse, Senior Vice President, Schueco International – Germany shed the light on system façade solutions & new innovations where he explained the evolution of façade at macro level and drawing synergies for the Indian market. Continuing his presentation was Antony John, Engineering Director, Schueco India who launched and explained about the Schueco FWS 35 PD which is a panoramic façade system. This was followed by the second keynote of the day by Michael Chin, Associate Principal, Arup of Singapore where he spoke about designing sustainable façades for the tropics and how they bring cities alive.

The first panel discussion of the day was on guidance on façades & fire and the panel comprised of some of the most sought after names of their respective fields namely Karl Wadia, Senior Associate, Architect Hafeez Contractor; Daniel Jones, VP – Projects, DB Realty; Jawahar HH, Director, Glass Wall Systems; Pankaj Keswani, Managing Director, Alufit and moderator KR Suresh, Regional Director, Axis Facades, deftly steered the discussion that revolved around current problems and possible solutions related to fire & façade; various tests & standards pertaining to fire; perimeter fire stopping and aimed at clarifying the basics like ‘fire resistance’ vs ‘reaction to fire’ and fire rated terminology along with touching the sensitive nerve of fire reviews and audits.

Before the conference broke for the networking lunch break, Architect Hafeez Contractor was invited on stage and felicitated on the occasion of being conferred as Padma Bhushan by the Government of India and for his extraordinary contribution to the construction industry in India. The token of appreciation was presented by Chairman of Zak Group Syed Zakir Ahmed and all the partners of the event. Architect Hafeez Contractor in his speech spoke about the need of being appraised about new systems and technologies in façade design to keep abreast with the fast changing world.

The third session opened with an interesting presentation by Harish Gupta, Senior VP – Architecture, Glass Wall Systems on changing face of residential high rise façades where he elaborated on design evolution while exploring the possibilities of automation and BMS integration in windows for high rises. Presenting next was Ray Nakada, Manager Asia-Pacific Market Development, Kuraray Interlayer Solutions of Singapore who explained how one can achieve limitless design options and still get performance and safety by using high performance interlayers. Continuing the excitement, the next presenter, Tanuj Sharma, National Head – Commercial, Kinlong Hardware India spoke on choice of façade hardware and explained how hardware is customized for each application and also casted the need and importance of using cast-in anchor channels in the minds of façade industry professionals. Key highlight of his presentation was the case study on the tension rod façade structure at Godrej One in Mumbai. Next to present was Mustafa Abbasoglu, Area Manager Turkey, Near & Middle East, Eternit (Swisspearl®), who delved on Designing Lasting Values with Cement Composite Façade Systems and introduced the fantastic new product Swisspearl® while presenting a case study on the Denver Botanic Gardens, USA.

Another high point of the conference was when Prabhat Rahandale, Chief Fire Officer, Mumbai Fire Brigade, who kindly took out time from his extremely busy schedule to make a presentation highlighted some of the key pain areas of the contemporary Indian buildings where they lack the basics of fire safety. He in a very candid talk took the audience through an enlightening journey on how the buildings can be made safe and all it takes is nothing more than a few small but significant steps that we all need to take on individual levels. He also spoke about the challenges faced by the Mumbai Fire Brigade in addressing the fires and classified the different types of fires with case studies of some recently occurred fire accidents.

The power packed session was concluded with an equally powerful panel discussion on execution of façades and the new National Building Code. The moderator was Tariq Kachwala, Director, FG Glass who moderated the panel comprising Soyuz Talib, Director, Soyuz Talib Architects, GS Balaji, Senior Vice President, K Raheja Corp, Arun Kumar Singh, Joint COO, Steiner India, Praveen Chaubey, Project Manager, Priedemann, Niraj Borikar, Head Project Sales, FunderMax India and Sharanjit Singh, Chairman, GSC Glass. The panel deliberated on the new guidelines on fenestration in the latest version of NBC. The interesting discussion also touched up on the topics how can façade play a role in a code compliant building and challenges posed to the façade execution in light of the new codes. The session ended with another networking break.

The last session commenced with the presentation on advanced building envelope solutions by Lorenzo Lilli, Director, Lilli Systems as he explained the innovative concept of point fixing façades with spherical joint without drilled glass and aluminium framed and frameless balustrades complemented with a case studies. Final presentation was by Chris Hall, Commercial Development Officer, Siderise Group who spoke on perimeter barrier fire stop systems for curtain walls. The presentation entailed guidance on compliant specification, current testing methodology for façade, and different methods of installation of fire stops and associated risks. The high octane day was concluded with the panel discussion on Façade Engineering for Higher ROI, where the panelists touched upon the key subjects of role of building envelope in pitching for a new project, on timelines and how it affects the final ROI and on form and performance of building in terms of ROI. Nitin Bhatia, Managing Director, FACET Façade Engineering moderated this exceptional and interesting panel. Panelists included Abhay Kulkarni, President – Architectural Services, Makers Development, Kamlesh Choudhari, Director, Glass Wall Systems, Rajeev Antony, Managing Director, Schueco India, Vivekanand Kundle, Associate Vice President, Kalpataru and Prasad Mullerpatan, Senior Associate, Architect Hafeez Contractor.

The conference was complemented by a unique display where some of the most fascinating facade products were showcased. Schueco displayed their Panoramic Facade System – Schueco FWS 35 PD while Glass Wall Systems showcased their exceptional façade building services. Modiguard was present with their high performance Sunguard range of glass and complementing that was the high strength and high performance interlayer systems by Kuraray. The display included high precision hardware from the houses of Cotswold, Kinlong, Lavaal and a full range of point fixed hardware & railing system from Lilli Systems.

Fiber cement cladding from Swisspearl, ceramic cladding from Qutone and high pressure laminates from FunderMax along with unique PVDF coating system by Akzonobel shone bright as the architects and users sought for high end façade alternatives and rich look. Aluminium cladding & roofing was displayed by Aluform represented by Technocrat and various façade fixing & connection techniques were on display by Wuerth. McCoy Soudal displayed their silicone and adhesives and Siderise exhibited their unique range of perimeter barrier systems for fire and acoustic isolation.

Speakers and Panelists
Manager - Asia Pacific Market Development, Kuraray Interlayer Solutions, Singapore
Principal, Mandviwala Qutub and Associates
Mr. Qutub Mandviwala, an architect from Mumbai, India is the founder of MQA[ Mandviwala Qutub and Associates] an architecture and urban design studio. For last two and half decades the firm has engaged in various work experiments with new spatial...
Director, Lilli Systems, Italy
Chief Fire Officer, Mumbai Fire Brigade
Associate Vice President, Kalpataru
Principal | Architecture Design Director, Gensler Middle East
As Architecture Design Director of Gensler Middle East, Raj leads a practice delivering high-profile commercial, hospitality and lifestyle projects throughout the region and Asia. Raj’s experience across different cultures influences his design approach as he weaves traditional and modern architecture...
Managing Director, FunderMax
An astute, self-motivated, results driven leader and Managing Director, Dr.Prashanth Reddy spearheads Fundermax, the leading Austrian architectural brand’s Indian business for the last 16 years from a career spanning 31 years. A mechanical engineer, postgraduate in business administration and a...
Engineering Director, Schueco India
Mr. Antony John has been in the façade and fenestration industry for over two decades and has a vast experience in project management, design, fabrication and installation ranging from residential to commercial sector. He has played a pivotal role in...
Managing Director, Schueco India
Line functions: General Management, CEO, Head of business unit, Start up’s, New Business Development, Field Operations Staff functions: Strategic plans, Board of directors, Business plans, Financial Analysis, Corporate Planning, Product Management, Industrial Marketing 23 Years Experience with 13 years of...
Marketing Manager - India, Gujarat Guardian
Sourabh Kankar heads Marketing Operation at Gujarat Guardian Limited, a leading manufacturer of float, coated and mirror glass products. A Computer Science graduate with a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing and Finance, Sourabh spent over 14 years in various Technical,...
Director Marketing & Sales - Eastern Europe, CSG Holdings
Over 14 years of experience in the façade industry, Mr. Tanuj Sharma is a known personality in the South Asia market, a master in business administration, foreign trade & consulting facade engineer, He is currently handling the role of directing...
Principal, Facade Design Factory
Mr.Praveen K. Chaubey is one of the well-known names in the field of façade engineering in India and internationally. He have an experience of more than 15 years in Façade Industry. He has executed many complicated facades in india and...
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...
Principal | Technical Specialists and Façade Engineering Leader, Arup
With over 20 years of experience in the building industry, Michael Chin serves as a principal and group leader at Arup Singapore. In his role, he oversees the Technical Specialists teams, which encompass a broad range of disciplines including lighting,...
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...
Chief Operating Officer, Priedemann Façade Experts
Micha Pawelka, who has an academic qualification in Wholesale Management and Foreign Trade, gained over 20 years of experience in the Glass and Facade Industry in Europe. He was a Sales Director in the Schollglas Group in Germany before relocating...
Country Manager, DanPal India
Niraj Borikar is the Country Manager of Dan Pal (India) Private Limited managing the operations in India with responsibility of establishing and growing the business of versatile and innovative portfolio of Light Architecture Solutions. Niraj is a Mechanical Engineering graduate...
Joint COO, Steiner India
Arun has 24 years of rich experience in all facets of real estate, construction & project management of residential, commercial, IT, retail, town ships, high rises etc. IGBC AP, experience in green building and sustainable developments. He is the business...
VP - Projects, DB Realty
As a Construction/Project director on a client or contractor side Daniel has driven the projects on all front’s, covering all aspects of a project including budgets, feasibility, Delivery, Planning, Contracts Management, as well as Managing Procurement, Quality, and Safety. As...
Chairman, GSC Glass
A mechanical engineer by profession, Mr. Singh has wide expertise and in depth knowledge of processing glass for various applications, to the latest international standards. He is the engineering brain behind the new innovations, CAD CAM applications and automation at...
VP - Projects, Piramal Realty
Anil Mutalik has over 21 years of experience i=in the industry. He brings with him rich experience with International Project Management firms, Design Build Contractors, Large Developers, Private Equity firm & General Contracting Firm. Anil has been involved Design and...
President & Head of Architectural Services, Makers Development Services
With principal expertise in Hospitality and Retail development, Abhay is deemed as one of the top ‘ Architectural Managers’ in the country who has knowledge & expertise about overall development in Hospitality and/ or retail sector. As President and Head...
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...
Senior Vice President, Schueco International - Germany
J. Mattheus (Matthijs) Bruijnse was born 25 June 1969 in Amstelveen. He studied in the Netherlands at the University of Groningen (Master degree in Economics) and has the Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Haarlem Business School in the...
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...
, Architect Hafeez Contractor
Karl joined AHC as a trainee in the year 1999 and has received his MSC.AAO from Columbia University, New York, USA. He has immensely contributed to several iconic projects across various sectors be it master planning, residential, commercial, institutional or...
Head & VP Engineering, Oberoi Realty
Irfan has over 23 years of experience in Project Management, Civil & Structural Engineering with a reputed organisations in India and Middle East. Currently, he is associated with Oberoi Realty as Vice President – Engineering at Mumbai, India. Irfan has...
Director, Glass Wall Systems
Serving the façade industry for more than 27 years, Jawahar makes sure all his ventures are met with immaculate precision and absolute commercial success.
Senior Vice President - Architecture, Glass Wall Systems
An architect by qualification, Harish has over 8 years of experience in Operations Management, Process Management, Business Analysis & Development, Sales & Marketing, & Client Relationship Management. Currently he is designated as Sr. VP – Architectural at Glass Wall Systems,...
Area Manager Turkey, Near & Middle East, Eternit (Swiss Pearl) - Switzerland
Starting his career as a site engineer, Mustafa worked for sizeable construction projects in Romania, Ukraine and his home country Turkey. Graduating in 2011 with a master’s degree in Business Administration, he later took an interest in specializing in building...
Director, FG Glass
Tariq Kachwala is the Director of FG Glass Industries and has 12 years of experience in the glass processing industry. He spearheads marketing, strategy and new business development and is also a consultant to architects and façade specialists on the...
Director, Soyuz Talib Architects
Soyuz founded ‘Soyuz Talib Architects’ in 1997 and sets the design direction of the practice as a whole. Soyuz has a wealth of experience and has worked on a number of significant projects in and around Mumbai & India. Prior...
Senior Vice President, K Raheja Corp
Mr. G. S. Balaji is presently working as Senior Vice President – Projects with M/s K Raheja Corp, leading real estate developers in the country & is pursuing major real estate activities in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Goa& Hyderabad. In the...
Commercial Development Officer, Siderise Group - United Kingdom
Chris Hall is currently Commercial Development Officer for the Siderise Group. He has over 30 years’ international experience in general and specialist thermal, acoustic and fire insulation products and applications. BSc(Hons) and MBA educated, he has held senior positions with...
Founder, Hiten Sethi Architects
Hiten is the Founder, Owner & Director at HitenSethi Architects since 1993 with an expansive bandwidth of professional experience. He has a strong hold on Strategic Planning, High Volume & High Value negotiation & fast track delivery of large-scale projects...
Conference Agenda
  • Solar spectrum vis-à-vis performance and design
  • Sunguard applications
  • Tools and calculators for glass selection
  • Benefits, aesthetics & functionality
  • Different applications of HPL as cladding, louver, etc
  • Steps for sustainable usage
  • An advise to the Developers
  • Quality vs. "This is India!"
  • Let the guidance continue
  • Diversity in façade design patterns
  • Façades with the third dimensionality of depth
  • Case study on the Kuwait Investment Authority HQ, Qatar University Administration Building & Qatar Petroleum District in Doha, Paramount Towers in Dubai, Rakan Tower in Kuwait & Wafra Residential in Abu Dhabi
  • Evolution of façade at macro level and drawing synergies for the Indian market
  • Panorama Design Facades - Schueco FWS 35 PD
  • Integrated design approach to come up with a balanced solution between architectural aesthetical appeal, energy efficiency and most importantly cost efficient and meeting local green building regulations
  • Designing untised façades to meet various environmental design parameters that optimizes the building performance, such as day lighting, thermal comfort, solar penetration and ventilation
  • Case studies on high end complex and iconic developments in the region
  • Current problems and possible solutions
  • Cladding - right choice of material, tests & standards
  • Perimeter firestopping - Preventing the spread of smoke from floor to floor
  • 'Fire resistance' vs 'Reaction to fire' - Clarification of 'Fire rated' terminology
  • Fire safety review and audits

K R Suresh

  • Design evolution in residential high rise facades
  • DC regulation and impact on high rise facades
  • Options in high-rise window designs
  • Automation and BMS integration of high rise façade windows
  • Stress patterns & features of point fixed glazed structures
  • Precautions in the design & construction of point fixed glazing
  • Case study of the selection of point fixed hardware at the entrance façade of the Shanghai Tower
  • Introducing Swisspearl®
  • Custom made: Imitating nature
  • Case study on the Denver Botanic Gardens, USA
  • Point fixing façades with spherical joint without drilled glass
  • Aluminium framed and frameless balustrades
  • Case study on the Sandton City Centre Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Guidance on compliant specification
  • Insight to current testing methodology
  • Clarification on different methods of installation and associated risks
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