AR. H.H. NISHANTH
The glass and glazing industry in India has been experiencing steady growth in recent years due to increasing demand from various sectors such as construction, automotive, and consumer goods. The Indian glass industry is the third largest in the world after China and the United States.
The demand for glass in India is driven by the growth of the construction industry, which accounts for the largest share of glass consumption in the country. With the increasing urbanization and infrastructure development in the country, the demand for glass is expected to continue to grow.
The Indian glass industry is highly fragmented, with a large number of small and medium- sized players. However, there are a few large players who dominate the market, such as Saint-Gobain, Asahi India Glass, and Hindustan National Glass. Overall, the glass and glazing industry in India is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by increasing demand from various sectors and the government's focus on infrastructure development.
India is a country that experiences a wide range of climatic conditions throughout the year, including high temperatures, humidity, and monsoons. This makes it important to use advanced glazing technologies for facades in order to optimize energy efficiency and reduce the impact of external weather conditions. The use of advanced glazing technologies for facades in India is essential to improve energy efficiency, reduce the impact of external weather conditions, and provide a comfortable indoor environment for occupants.
We spoke to many experts from the industry, including glass manufacturers, architects, facade consultants, civil engineers and those organizations working on testing of glass and glass facades, ensuring safety and security. This edition’s cover story is a compilation of their interviews on the latest in glass and glazing products, technologies, testing, installation, standards, safety and security aspects. Hope you will find this informative.
Glass facades provide a range of for high-rise buildings, including energy efficiency, natural light, and views. Glass facades offer several advantages, including aesthetic appeal — giving the building a sleek and modern appearance. They allow for more natural light to penetrate deep into the building, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. This leads to energy efficiency and creates a pleasant working or living environment, providing views of the surrounding environment. Modern glass facades are designed to provide excellent sound insulation, reducing noise from the surrounding environment, and improving the acoustics within the built environment.
The best type of glass for each system will depend on the specific requirements of the project, such as energy efficiency, safety, and design considerations. For example, a building in a hot climate will require glass with low solar heat gain properties, while a building in a noisy urban environment may require glass with higher sound insulation.
1. Clear glass allows maximum natural light to enter the building and is suitable for buildings located in areas with moderate to low sunlight exposure or where high internal visibility is desired, like retail buildings.
2. Tinted glass is suitable for buildings located in areas with high levels of sunlight exposure. It reduces the amount of heat and glare entering the building, making it more energy efficient.
3. Insulated glass consists of two or more panes of glass with a sealed air space in between, providing superior insulation and soundproofing.
4. Smart glass facades are revolutionising the future of glazed façades. They increase the wellness of occupants by automatically controlling glare and visual light penetration into
the built space according to the climatic conditions prevailing outside. Smart glass automatically responds to the ever-changing environment outside and hence makes buildings more energy efficient and sustainable.
Pros of Using Glass on Facades: Natural light, aesthetics, energy efficiency, durability
Cons of Using Glass on Façades: Heat gain, glare, cost, privacy.
Glass façades can be costly and cause glare and heat gain. They may also require additional privacy measures and maintenance. Glass facades can have significant environmental impacts, including energy consumption, carbon emissions, and waste production. To mitigate these issues, designers can incorporate sustainable features such as high-performance glass, shading devices, and insulation. Use of recycled materials and designing for energy efficiency can reduce the carbon footprint of glass facades. Proper maintenance and end- of-life recycling can also reduce waste and environmental impacts. Sustainable certifications such as LEED can provide guidelines and criteria for environmentally friendly glass facade design and construction.
FACADES OF THE FUTURE
Dynamic facades or intelligent façades, are building envelopes that can modify their properties as per the ever-changing external environment such as sunlight, temperature, and air quality. These are typically made of smart materials such as electrochromic glass and/or responsive shading devices that can adjust their properties in real time. They use a combination of advanced materials, sensors, and control systems to optimise energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and visual appeal. They reduce the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning, lower energy costs and carbon emissions, and improve occupants’ health & productivity.
