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Text & Visuals | Pappal Suneija

Issue 47

Fenestrations are important elements in the passive cooling system of any structure; thus, the orientation of the same is a major factor. Passive solar design strategies may vary with the building’s location and regional climatic differences. However, the primary window guidelines remain the same: choose, orient, and position openings to minimize solar heat gain effect in the summer season and maximize the same during winters. Further, considering the most important aspect of fenestrations with cost efficiency as one of the concern, one could take up frameless doors and windows. Subsequently, the foremost environment-friendly technique is to use brick jalis (grids) in walls. This also aligns with the vision of reducing the quantity of materials. Other alternate fenestrations include Wooden Screens, Beer Bottles embedded in concrete to create stained glass effect, Bamboo: lattice, louvered and pergola, embroidered patterns in bricks etc.

 

Brick Jalis
Brick Jalis infuse fresh air into the transitional spaces and significantly reduces the dependence on the artificial ways of ventilation. The prime attraction of this technique is that it can be played into recesses and projections pretty well. Further, one could erect the jalied opening made of brick at an obtuse angle to make it act as a shield against the penetration of mosquitoes and other unwanted scraps at our ease; the famous application of such is done at Coffee House, Trivandrum, which is one of the famous buildings of Ar. Laurie Baker. Besides this, we could take up embroidered jali patterns and blend jali with small glass panels or any other suitable texture, for instance, rubble masonry, in few niches to not only create an aesthetic impact but also give a strong definition to the facade treatments.

 

Glass Bottles Embedded in Concrete
A very vibrant application in fenestrations world is glass bottles of beer, embedded in concrete, to create a stained-glass effect when exposed to sunlight. This technique can be adequately proposed in the design scheme so that life remains in almost all the dead walls and an ambient environment is maintained. The only criterion is that such an effect is preferred at the rear wall. This is because the mutual shade of buildings enhances the common areas. Moreover, in case the complete façade involves such a treatment, we must consider the stability concerns, such as for whether the load-bearing wall is adjoining the cantilevered staircase. In addition, the designed panel with different glass bottles embedded in concrete to formulate floral or any geometric patterns should be tested for different loadings. Also, it is better to utilize these walls for glass-bottle effect so that at least light could penetrate with a stained, infused effect without direct glare during the daytime Such kind of façade treatment via fenestrations has successfully been executed at the Trainee Hostel Block of Institute of Management in Government, Trivandrum, Kerala.

 

Bamboo: Louvered and Lattice Window
Another typology of alternative fenestrations is the bamboo: louvered and lattice window. It comes up as the most cost-efficient in practice, mainly because a variety of bamboo is readily obtainable in our nation. Also, a few important ones, with their tensile strength (210MPa) comparable to that of mild steel (250MPa), are available in India. All we need to do is treat the bamboo well with natural reagents (a mixture of borax and boric acid in the ratio 2:3 with 45 liters of water, to make a batch of 50liters). Thus, bamboo could either be directly embedded in masonry or be bolted via hinges.

 

Orientation & Typology of Glazing
In composite climate prevalent in North India, the major glazing areas should generally face south to collect solar heat gain during the winter season when the sun is low in the sky. On the contrary, in the summer season, when the sun is high overhead, overhangs or other shading devices could prevent excessive heat gain that comes up. Further, to be most effective in executing the architectural design scheme, the worst south-facing fenestrations, which are major contributors of heat gain, should have a solar heat gain coefficient more than 0.6 and a U-value of 0.35 or less. The former would maximize the solar heat gain during winters whereas the latter would reduce the conductive heat transfer during summers. In addition, a high visible transmittance would help in good visible light during daytime.

On a concluding note, fenestrations shall perform their role only if the adequate distance is maintained in between the buildings; to not only consider mutual shading as in this case but also the aspect of sick building syndrome (SBS). Complimentary open spaces with sit-outs and shaded trees shall enhance the play of fenestrations in buildings all the more to achieve the desired ambience. Lastly, we must incorporate techniques and precautionary devices to protect the façade treatment and the fenestrations provided in the building, such that it aids the well-being of the occupants rather than causing troubles during sudden changes in the weather.

About the Author:

Pappal Suneja is a freelance architect an architectural Journalist who writes a Real Estate column for The Tribune Trends. He is an international correspondent for ADA Magazine as well as a country reporter for worldarchitecture.org . Pappal is assistant Professor at Vishwanikethan College of Architecture, design & Art as well as a mentor at the University of Tor Vergata.

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