Friday, November 19, 2010

Terminal -3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport



The third and latest terminal at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at New Delhi, unveiled on July 14th 2010, is yet another jewel in the crown of Indian Airport infrastructure. Sprawled over an area of 5.4 million square feet, this terminal is the world’s 2nd largest airport terminal in size and 6th largest by capacity; it is equipped to accommodate 34 million passengers every year.

80 percent of this nine-level T-3 is made of glass supported by metal frames. Glass loses 30% more warm or cool air than insulated brick. Several murals and sculptures adorn the walls of the terminal, making for aesthetic excellence.

T3 will be one of the few green airports in the world, thanks to eco-friendly features like energy-efficient structures, high-performance air-conditioning, use of municipal waste to generate electricity, rain water harvesting, waste-water treatment and reuse of treated water.

The terminal has 78 aerobridges, 168 check-in counters and is fully equipped to receive the super-jumbo Airbus A-380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft. With 95 immigration counters, the terminal boasts of numerous escalators and walkalators, including one that claims to be the longest in Asia, at 118 m.

Besides three functional runways catering to T3, there are 92 automatic walkways and a multi-level air-conditioned car park equipped to accommodate 4,300 cars - both features a first in India.

There is a 100-room transit hotel and business lounge inside the terminal itself. Comfortable nap and shower rooms that add to passenger comfort in the airport are incorporated; these will have a mix of restaurants, bars, cafes and fast food outlets within 20,000 square meters of commercial space.

Close to 800 Flight Information Display Systems have been used for live flight information, and 8,000 speakers installed for the Public Address system. About 3000 security cameras have been installed to keep an eye on every nook and corner of the airport premises. 15 X-ray systems have been set up at certain points in the Terminal to ease waiting time.

Common User Passenger Processing System and an advanced 5 level in-line Baggage Handling System with explosive detection technology will be operational to ensure quicker processing and higher security. Advanced technology has been used for the check-in process and baggage retrieval systems, which can handle 12,800 bags in an hour.

The high speed Metro train, connecting T3 to the city, will allow passengers to check in their luggage at the city station and bring them straight below the airport terminal with boarding cards in hand.

Almost 20,000 square metres of retail area with duty-free stores have been set up by the famous Irish duty-free chain Aer Rianta International.

Designed as per the Indian Green Building Council's (IGBC) rating system, T3 will have a high level of green cover with landscaping of 70 acres outside and 10,000 square metres inside the building. Numerous varieties of plants, trees and shrubs are being planted. While most of the plants are indigenous, few exotic varieties of orchids have been sourced from Thailand and Mexico. Over 9,00,000 plants will provide a green cover for the airport; the landscaping will have a large number of fountains and soothing lighting.

Solar City Tower - Zero Carbon Footprints


Solar City Tower is a huge solar powered waterfall standing 105m above sea level, designed by Swiss architecture firm RAFAA for the 2016 Olympic Games. This Solar City Tower is built on a small island nearby the Rio de Janeiro shore line, Brazil. This observation tower will be a symbol for welcoming all those who visit Rio de Janeiro, whether they arrive by air or sea. And it will also be a symbol for the first zero carbon footprint Olympic Games. This solar city tower even includes bungee jumping and a “glass sky walk” at the very top.

The project consists of a solar power plant that by day produces energy for the city, specifically the Olympic village. Excess energy will be pumped as seawater into a tower. By night, the water can be released again; with the help of turbines, it generates electricity for the night. The electricity produced can be used for the lighting of the tower or for the city. On special occasions, this “machine building” turns into an impressive wonder of nature: an urban waterfall, a symbol for the forces of nature.

At the same time, it will be the representation of a collective awareness of the city towards its great surrounding landscape. Via an urban plaza located 60 meters over sea, one can gain access to the building. Through the amphitheatre, you reach the entrance situated on the ground floor.


Both entrance area and amphitheatre can serve as a place for social gatherings and events. The public spaces are also accessible from this point on. The cafeteria and the shop are situated beneath the waterfall and offer a breathtaking view. The public elevator takes the visitor to the observation decks and the urban balcony. The administration offices can be reached directly from the foyer. Its inner circulation is organised by an own entrance and the elevator.

The semi-public spaces are located in the back area of the building; thus, they can be used separately. A retractable platform for bungee jumping is located on level +90.5. Long distance observation can be done from the observation deck on level +98.0. The urban balcony is situated at the top of the tower 105 meters above sea level. Here the visitor has a 360° view of the landscape and can experience the waterfall while walking over the glass sky walk.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Most innovative solar glass product - EcoGuard Solar Boost-LP, Guardian Industries Corp


This past year, Guardian Industries, Auburn Hills, Mich., introduced EcoGuard Solar Boost-LP, laminated parabolic mirrors for concentrated solar power applications. The mirrors are designed to provide high solar reflectivity, concentrating efficiency and durability. EcoGuard Solar Boost uses Guardian’s highest performing solar glass, EcoGuard Float, and the company’s mirror technology to create a laminated parabolic mirror with a minimum 94.5 percent solar reflectivity at an air mass coefficient of 1.5 (ISO 9050).

Guardian’s precise manufacturing process yields a smooth, accurate mirror. Durability is ensured by a laminated glass assembly similar to a windshield, where the mirror is encapsulated between two layers of glass and held together by a PVB interlayer. A mirrored surface is contained within the laminate on the backside of the forward glass. The thin front glass results in a shorter transmission path and industry benchmark reflectivity performance, according to company officials. EcoGuard Solar Boost-LP has been extensively field tested for durability and validated using numerous accelerated test protocols. The combined glass and PVB layers provide superior rigidity and durability compared to traditional monolithic glass systems. The laminated construction also results in optimum damping, wind resistance and reduction of subsequent field component damage.

“EcoGuard Solar Boost-LP withstands the extreme conditions to which concentrating solar mirrors and reflector panels are subjected, says Scott Thomsen, group vice president and head of North American Flat Glass at Guardian. “With a glass mean free path of just 3.2 millimeters, EcoGuard Solar Boost-LP mirrors attain an average solar reflectivity of more than 95 percent. This results in a reduction of total cost of ownership for our customers.”

Other performance advantages include: industry-leading solar reflectivity; if broken, the assembly will remain intact, retaining the majority of function; virtual elimination of the risk of damage to other components from falling glass; improved safety for operators and assembly crews; and lead-free mirror assembly, according to company officials. Designed specifically for CSP parabolic trough systems, EcoGuard Solar Boost laminated reflective panels are available in standard RP-2, 3 and 4 configurations, and are direct bolt-in replacements for the traditional monolithic configurations. In addition, custom sizes and shapes are available to meet the unique needs of individual customers and applications in the CSP and CPV markets.


Source : www.glassmagazine.com

Most innovative storefront/entrance project - Two Alliance Center, Innovative Structural Glass Inc.



The Two Alliance Center is a captivating presence on Atlanta’s Buckhead skyline, featuring an entrance that is approximately 140 feet wide, 15 feet deep and 24 feet tall at its apex. The canting glass structure consists of five separate axes. Each glass axis marries to form a multi-axis glass wall, glass roof and glass soffit element. The primary support element of this entry is a ribbed construction made of glass fins and glass rafters. The focal point is a recessed glass soffit area that houses a revolving door and tempered glass swing doors. There is a continuous 20-foot long, 1 1/2-inch thick laminated glass beam that supports the glass system above the revolving door and the tempered glass swing doors.


For this project, Innovative Structural Glass, Three Rivers, Calif., took the architectural intent developed by Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates Inc. of Atlanta and engineered, designed and supplied the glass entrance system to glazing contractor Trainor Glass, Alsip, Ill., for installation.

“SRSSA’s design was complex in that it was a multi-linear construction of canting and sloping planes of glass that were ultimately interconnected,” says Manuel Marinos, president and CEO, Innovative Structural Glass. “This all-glass structure not only enclosed the ground floor of a multistory office building, but was a self-supporting glass structure capable of resisting wind forces, seismic forces, thermal expansion and contraction, building movements, live load, snow load and water penetration. This design stretched the limitations of both structural glass engineering technology and glass fabrication capability.”

From an engineering perspective, the design required that Innovative Structural Glass design the system using 3D modeling techniques and Finite Element Analysis. This was done to ensure product fit and finish, in addition to structural performance. Custom glass connection brackets had to be specially designed and manufactured to accommodate the design. Innovative Structural Glass had each new design tested by an independent testing agency to verify the engineering results.

Much of the glass was custom oversized pattern cut glass that was tempered, laminated and heat soaked. The complex glass geometry required that state-of-the-art CNC glass machining centers were used to fabricate the glass. Oversized laminating and tempering equipment was also utilized to construct single lites of glass up to 20 feet in length. Due to the complexity of the glass fabrication, its oversized nature and the specifications it had to adhere to, Innovative Structural Glass had the glass fabricated offshore. Most of the glass fabrication was so complex, in order to convey the fabrication requirements for a single lite of glass, Innovative Structural Glass had to create multiple glass fabrication drawings. Before the glass was shipped, the company sent a team of quality assurance inspectors to inspect the glass lites to ensure they met its quality standards. Ultimately, when Innovative Structural Glass shipped the materials to the job site, it supplied a design engineer to provide onsite installation training and assistance.

The Beck Group, headquartered in Dallas, was the general contractor for the project. Crane Revolving Doors, Lake Bluff, Ill., fabricated the entrance’s revolving door.


Source : www.glassmagazine.com

Most innovative curtain-wall system - The Sixth System Paragon Architectural Products LLC

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The Sixth System is a new glazing façade structural system from Paragon Architectural Products, Scottsdale, Ariz., that features a stainless steel supporting structure that is hidden within the silicone joint, according to Russ Hals, sales and marketing assistant, Paragon Architectural Products. By contrast, most glazing systems have clearly visible supporting structures in the form of aluminum mullions, transoms, steel trusses, columns, stainless steel cables, rods or glass fins on the interior or exterior of the glass façade.

“What’s so revolutionary about this system is that there are no internal or external supporting structures required, and it offers amazing views unobstructed from any supporting structure,” Hals says. The system also allows for additional interior floor space, and is cost competitive with a standard fin system. The installation sequence is fast and simplified, he says.

The Sixth System has been structurally engineered and fully tested, and can withstand the rigorous internal and external pressures, as well as all loading factors, according to a company release. The system features grade #316 stainless steel hardware available in numerous shapes, including round, square, rectangular, hexagonal and octagonal.

The system has not yet been used in any existing projects, but Hals says the company has a list of upcoming projects to be completed with the technology in the United States—New York City, San Francisco and St. Louis—and abroad—Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.


Source : www.glassmagazine.com

Most innovative storefront/entrance system - NanaWall Systems


Crystal Achievement Award Judge BJ Katz, art director/principal for Meltdown Glass Art & Design LLC, Tempe, Ariz., calls the NanaWall SL82 Structurally Glazed Folding Wall System “simple and elegant, with clean, minimalist lines.” From NanaWall Systems, Mill Valley, Calif., the entrance is the result of three years of research and development, and was designed to meet demand for a structurally glazed folding door system for large openings that blended with the all-glass aesthetic of a structurally glazed curtain wall.

The structurally glazed door panels are created by mounting the dual-pane or triple-pane glass to the exterior of the structural door frames in a thin channel that is virtually invisible
from the exterior. A triple wraparound sealing process protects the glass edge when opening and closing the system. This seal also increases the overall strength of the system, which has been independently tested for water penetration, air infiltration, structural and thermal performance, forced entry and acoustic performance.

Suitable for commercial and residential applications, the system provides: an all-glass aesthetic; a slim line profile surrounding the glass panes for clean lines; the ability to create large exterior openings up to 39 feet wide and 8 feet, 2 inches high; 24 in-swing stacking configurations with options for swing / exit panels; long-term ease of operation along a single track with bottom-supported rollers and adjustable hinges; concealed multipoint locking hardware; three levels of seals for protection from wind pressure and driving rain; a high-performance sill; a fiberglass-reinforced thermal break that, with triple glazing, allows the SL82 to achieve a U-value of 0.29; the ability to accommodate double glazing or up to 1 ½-inch thick triple glazing; and the choice of hundreds of powder coated and anodized aluminum finishes.

Source : www.glassmagazine.com

Most innovative bath enclosure - PurfectKurv, MAAX Bath Inc


The PurfectKurv shower door, from MAAX Bath Inc., Sainte-Marie, Quebec, features profiled curved edges on 3/8-inch glass. “This is made possible because we use our patented hinge technology that can be adjusted easily by the installers,” explains Carlo Di Pietro, product business director, MAAX Bath. “Our PurfectKurv door hinges can be adjusted from left to right up to three inches. This is ideal when dealing with out of plumb walls or non-standard widths.”

PurfectKurv is 80 inches high and available in widths from 54 inches to 72 inches. It comes equipped with two sets of hinges, providing up to 6 inches of adjustment. Two styles of hinges and handles are available with chrome or brushed nickel finish. The door is suitable for corner or wall-mounted installations with 34-, 36- and 40-inch deep glass panels.

“First on the list for homeowners looking for a bath enclosure in this premium category is a unique design—something that appears to be tailored specifically to their needs,” Di Pietro says. “The beauty of the PurfectKurv is that it looks like a custom made unit, but it really comes in a box that’s readily available throughout our network of showroom dealers across the United States and Canada.”


Source : www.glassmagazine.com

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

LEED Platinum for Asia Square, Singapore: Sustainable Architecture Redefined

Asia Square – a compilation of twin towers at Marina bay in Singapore has earned for itself, the LEED Design Core & Shell (LEED-CS) Platinum pre-certification from the US Green Building Council. This is the only building in Singapore to attain the LEED Platinum, and it has also secured the Green Mark Platinum Award for a new non-residential building from Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

Features like energy & water-efficiency and high indoor environmental quality, among several others, helped the twin towers earn these honours. This multiple-use sustainable tower covers 2.65 million sq ft Grade-A space and its construction will be completed by the year 2012. It is estimated that Asia Square consumes 33 % less energy and 40 % less water, when compared to the other conventional buildings of similar size.

Structure

The twin towers float above a podium structure, and sport semi-transparent glass walls and a ceiling punctuated with glass roof panes. The podium structure accommodates “The Cube” - a vibrant, 100,000 sq ft (9200 sq m) public space used for networking and recreation – Exhibitions, performances and other shows are held here on a regular basis. Asia Square also includes 280-room five-star hotel and 60,000 square feet of retail space.

Asia Square Tower-1 will feature 43 floors and Asia Square Tower-2 will feature 46 floors with the hotel occupying the 32nd to 46th floors. The retail space within Asia Square will be located on the 1st and 2nd floors in both towers.

Asia Square will be connected to surrounding developments through an extensive network of underground pedestrian walkways and second storey links.

The structure incorporates several environmentally sustainable features. It will house the largest photovoltaic cells (solar panel) installation in Singapore and also the first bio-diesel generation plant in a commercial development in the CBD.

Sustainable Features

Façade

Tower-1 uses the triple Low-E Coating double glazing and insulated spandrel heights in the façade to trap the sunlight and flood daylight into the interiors, thereby reducing the cooling cost and conserve energy to a maximum possible extent.

The Cube

The Cube – an open air plaza towering at a height of 16m - is naturally ventilated and fully landscaped. Skylights in The Cube maximize the influx of natural light during the daytime. The roof is designed in a way that reduces the need for a mechanical ventilation and smoke extraction system. Also, high ceilings allow thermal stratification and the landscaping helps further regulate temperature.

Bio-Diesel Plant

Asia Square is the first downtown commercial building in Singapore to locate the bio-diesel generation plant. The oil waste from the catering establishment is recycled into 2, 40,000 litres of bio-diesel annually, which is planned to donated to charity.

Motion Sensor

Motion Sensors are installed at all lift lobbies, toilets, car parks and staircases to vary lighting levels according to occupancy and usage, ensuring maximum energy saving.

Water Efficiency

To maximum the conservation of the all-important natural resource, highly water-efficient fittings, certified as ‘very good’ and ‘excellent’ under ‘PUB WELLS’ are selected for all basin taps, bib taps, urinals etc. Further, rain water is harvested and discharged into irrigation water tanks, which will be reused for landscape irrigation. It is estimated that approximately 65 million litres of water can be saved annually through these water-friendly fittings and processes.

Photovoltaic Cell

Asia Square has the largest renewable energy generation systems of all commercial setups in Singapore. Photovoltaic cells cover the entire roof area and generate nearly 270,000 KWh of power per year.

Air Conditioners

Chilled water for the air-conditioning systems is supplied by the district cooling plant operated by Singapore District Cooling. Variable speed drivers will ensure that the chilled water is distributed by the pumps in accordance with the buildings’ cooling load requirements, thereby contributing to energy conservation.
Lighting

All office areas are equipped with T5 light fittings, complete with high-efficiency electronic ballasts, to achieve optimal energy saving while ensuring sufficient illumination.

Photo sensors are incorporated in all office areas, which assist in reducing the use of artificial lights at the perimeter zones.

Regenerating Elevators

Elevator movement generates kinetic energy which will be converted to electrical power, which in turn will be distributed back to the grid. The elevators are therefore expected to consume 18% less power compared to buildings without the power regeneration system.

Source: www.Asia-square.com

Glass for Transparency in Turkey’s Fashion House & Power Media Headquarters



A new headquarters for a Turkish fashion house Vakko and Power Media (Turkey’s equivalent of MTV) was built recently in Istanbul, Turkey. The construction of this structure was started on an old, abandoned and partially constructed concrete shell of a hotel. REX Architects created this building over an area of 9,100 m² (98,000 sq ft). Instead of hiding the old concrete skeleton of hotel, REX exposed it through a very thin and transparent glass façade, thus delivering their objective of creating a sustainable structure.

REX divided the construction of this structure into two structurally independent components. A ‘U-shaped' concrete skeleton (completed by a fourth side), labelled as “Ring”, was transformed into a conventional, flexible office space. At the ring’s centre, a new six-floor steel tower named ‘Showcase’, consisting of several special areas such as an auditorium, showrooms, meeting rooms and executive offices, and restrooms has been created.

Power Media Company, Turkey’s renowned music and television network at the upper floor of the skeleton’s subterranean parking incorporates a television studio, radio production facilities, and screening rooms.

The Transparent Glass façade of the building is stuffed with Glass Panes, which allow natural light to flood the interiors. At 5 feet by 10 feet, the 134 panels that wrap the building are a wafer-like 3/16th of an inch thick. Glass preferred for this building by the architects is Slumped Glass. This type of glass is repeatedly heated and cooled until it falls into a mould and assumes the mould’s form. Slumping is usually used for decoration purposes, but here it has been used for structural purposes: The glass panels feature an X-shaped impression that gives them vertical and lateral stiffness and strength. These glass panels are held in place by four simple pins at each corner.

Glass slumped with ‘X’ shape increases the glass’s strength. The thickness of the glass was thus reduced and the need for perimeter mullions was eliminated. The resulting ethereal glass “Saran Wrap” subtly reveals the Ring’s pre-existing concrete skeleton and suggests the Showcase behind. Glass panes give a clear view when viewed directly and capture light and reflections, when viewed from different angles.

The Showcase is clad in mirror-glass, cloaking the steel boxes with a mirage-like exterior, and enlivening the building’s interior to impart a kaleidoscopic effect. The slopes of the auditorium, showrooms, and meeting rooms create a circulation path that winds from the bottom upwards to the glass showcase.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Energy Efficiency & Glass Façade Magnificence: Stadttor (City Gate)


Introducing yet another architectural wonder that has allowed concrete, steel and aluminium to give way to glass, for its much talked-about aesthetic and functional benefits - Stadttor (City Gate) in Düsseldorf, Germany. This is a building with a double-skin glass façade that keeps the premises well-lit, cool, energy-efficient and so on.

Stadttor (City Gate)

Stadttor (City Gate) is the President’s office and the seat of the State Chancellery NRW. This building was designed by Petzinka, Pink & Partners. It encompasses aspects of traditional design and well as state-of-the-art energy performance capabilities.

This spectacular building consists of two rhombic parallel glass towers with 16 floors each, and 3 attic floors connected to one another. Two glass towers enclose a 56m high atrium in the centre, designed to allow maximum natural daylight - a citywide building ordinance. Also, each of the towers has a corridor with a double-skin façade, and a single-storey interstitial space that is 90-140 cm deep and 20-m long.

Glass Façade

The interior glass façade features double-pane, low-E glazed doors operable at every other bay. The exterior of the building follows the "structural glazing" principle. The exterior façade is 12-mm fixed safety glass. High-reflectance Venetian blinds are located in the interstitial space. At each story, a climate buffer corridor circulates fresh air between facades, allowing natural ventilation for 60% of the year.

Efficient Ventilation

The two gate towers are built in a way to give a full view of the surrounding environment to the building occupants. Each floor has a 750 m² surface. Thanks to its ventilating systems, new air-conditioning and double glass façade, there are 70% lower incidental expenses than conventional full air-conditioning. The facade inner space natural ventilation of the building creates a climatic shield and it definitely supplies fresh air throughout the office. During the summer, even the extreme heat does not affect the room temperature, owing to the cooling system which extracts cold air from soil.

Mechanical ventilation is provided during peak summer and winter hours. The building is capable of being naturally ventilated for 60% of the year.

The Stadttor’s mechanical systems are fully computerized, with 14,000 sensors located throughout the building to moderate and maximize energy efficiency. In winter months, the structure uses on-site recaptured heat as well as excess thermal heat produced by Stromkraftwerks, an electrical plant upriver on the Rhine. An on-site geo-exchange system supplements heating with ceiling-integrated radiant transfer that also serves the building’s cooling needs.

Long-lasting lighting systems that are centrally programmed have been fixed; these can also be manually controlled within work spaces. Natural daylighting, natural ventilation and humidity control provide optimum thermal comfort that enhances occupant experience as well as the building’s energy performance.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Glass Workshop Building in Tokyo – Light as Air

A new workshop building in glass has come up in Japan for upcoming engineers and scientists; it has been designed by Tokyo-based architecture firm Junya Ishigami and Associates. This is a crystalline glass building that serves as a flexible studio and workplace for students at the Kanagawa Institute of Technology, Tokyo. Ishigami and his team aim to create an ideal environment for KAIT students to work on self-initiated projects and build things.

This single-story glass box workshop covers an area of 21,410 sq-ft. The glass studio has a large open floor plan topped with a roof and supported by columns of various sizes. A floor-to-ceiling glass facade and strips of skylight on the roof create a spectacular work environment for design projects.

The floor-to-ceiling glass makes the building appear weightless and elegant, and the open plan preserves the building’s sense of transparency as the viewer’s eye can shoot directly across the uninterrupted space. 305 slender steel columns of various sizes support the stripped roof of skylights and are scattered all over the building in a random fashion.

The white columns and the frameless glass façade almost make the building disappear. The façades are formed by 5m×1.5m glass panels that are just 10mm thick. They are stabilised by perpendicular fins, which offer complete transparency. The column arrangement and need for elimination of partition walls allow the studio to maintain its feeling of openness.

During the day time, glass skylights above the building offer unbeatable natural light. At night when the lights are lit, the glass building shines like a star on the ground. Ceiling fixtures and task lamps enable factory-like facilities to operate long after classes end for the day.

The one-room building contains 14 freely arranged, open spaces. These include a check-in area, denoted by an Ishigami-designed, donut-shaped counter, as well as specialized areas for pottery, woodworking, computer graphics, metal casting, and other media.

There are also four multipurpose work spaces, a small supply shop, and an office-like alcove for the facility supervisors. Ishigami eschewed organizational devices, such as structural grids, proscribed circulation paths, and even walls (the closest lavatories are next door). Instead, he used rectangular columns, furniture of brown wood or white steel, freestanding HVAC units, and potted plants to modulate the whole 16-foot-high space.

To blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors, Ishigami eliminated all openings on the glass walls except for doors and a few small floor vents that draw fresh air supplied by roof vents. Inside, the columns function as abstract trees and potted greenery—each plant carefully selected by the architect—serves a bona-fide design role, not just a decorative one.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia 2010


Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia is a massive exhibition on Sustainable Buildings of Southeast Asia. The focus is on energy efficient building materials, design and architecture for a future of sustainable growth, and incorporation of critical elements into the construction industry, to enhance competitive advantage and knowledge of the ‘Build Green’ movement.

The Xpo will also serve as a platform to present and share knowledge and expertise on various green construction materials, and educate potential customers of the benefits of these products.

BEX Asia 2010

BEX Asia 2009 achieved great response with over 200 participating countries and 6400 visitors. Following this, the 3rd edition of BEX - BEX Asia 2010 is going to be held in Singapore from 13th to 15th September, 2010.

Event Highlights

The Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) is going to partner with BEX Asia to organise a trade event with a strategic focus on bringing Green Buildings to the forefront of the industry needs.

SGBC is dedicated towards propelling the Singapore building and construction industry towards environmental sustainability by promoting green building design, practices and technologies, the integration of green building initiatives into mainstream design, construction and operation of buildings as well as building capability and professionalism to support wider adoption of green building development and practices in Singapore.

Product Profile

  • Acoustic Materials & Systems
  • Adhesives
  • Air Conditioner
  • Air Purifier
  • Aluminium
  • Automation
  • Awnings
  • Blinds
  • Building Equipment
  • Building Services
  • Cables
  • Ceilings
  • Cement
  • Chemicals
  • Chillers
  • Clean Fuel
  • CO2 Sensors
  • Coatings
  • Concrete
  • Consultancy
  • Controls
  • Deckings
  • Doors / Gates & Barriers
  • Ducting Systems
  • Engineering Services
  • Escalators
  • External Coatings
  • Fans
  • Fittings
  • Flooring Systems
  • Fuel
  • Furniture
  • Generator
  • Glass
  • Ground Water Protection
  • Hardware
  • HVAC Systems
  • Ironmongery
  • LED
  • Lifts
  • Lighting
  • Motors
  • Paints
  • Pipes
  • Polyurethane
  • Power Systems
  • Properties
  • Pumps
  • Roofing
  • Sanitary wares
  • Sealants
  • Security & Authentication System
  • Software
  • Solar Panels
  • Solar Power Systems
  • Stones
  • System Integrators
  • Tiles
  • Walls / Panels
  • Water Heaters

Exhibitors’ Profiles

  • Agents
  • Architects
  • Consultants
  • Contractors
  • Decorators
  • Developers
  • Distributors
  • Engineers
  • Estate Managers
  • Government Agencies
  • Interior Architects
  • Interior Designers
  • Maintenance Managers
  • Manufacturers
  • Project Managers
  • Property Managers
  • Quantity Surveyors
  • Retailers
  • Statutory Board Officers
  • Traders

Venue

Sands Expo & Convention Centre,
Marina Bay Sands,
Singapore.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

IIID Showcase 2010 for Innovative Interiors


The Institute of Indian Interior Designers, IIID, is conducting a Trade Show on Innovative Technology Products & Services in Interior Design. It is a platform which links professionals, manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and service providers, and helps them understand the present and future of Interior Design as a subject.

The IIID Showcase is

  • A platform for all parties related to the field of Interior Design to showcase their products and services to the fraternity
  • A special insight into innovative style and trends within the interior designing industry
  • An opportunity to follow industry trends, share experiences, and investigate potential innovations.

This tradeshow is also the ideal place to make new business contacts.

IIID Showcase 2010

IIID Showcase 2010 is a design & decorative event planned to be held from 30th September – 3rd October in Mumbai, India. It will be hosted at the MMRDA Grounds and will accommodate close to 500 Architects and Interior Designers from all over India and overseas. IIID Showcase 2010 aims to present a platform for the demonstration of technological developments, products, services and business development in the Interior Designing sector.

A three-day seminar is to be conducted concurrent to the IIID Showcase tradeshow. The IIID Showcase conference is to be addressed by speakers of repute, including leading Architects, Interior Designers, Consultants, Government Officials, Association office-bearers, top executives of MNCs, etc.

The seminar will cover the following topics:

  • Interiors of the hospitality sector
  • Interiors of infrastructure projects -Airports, Railway Stations

Highlights

  • Over 500 Architects and Interior Designers from all over India and overseas to inaugurate this 20th Edition of IIID Showcase this year
  • Over 25,000 Industry visitor
  • Over 50 International Companies
  • Seminar on Interiors
  • Country Pavilions 6.Buyer-Seller Meet
  • Unprecedented Publicity campaign

Exhibitor Profile

Exhibitors Advantages

  1. A Platform to launch innovative products and services
  2. Network with the spending Decision Makers in Local Government
  3. Participate in round table discussions and attend sessions with conference attendees
  4. Identify new needs in the market and brief buyers of R & D Products
  5. Meet new business contacts
  6. Explore joint venture and partnerships
  7. Gain International Exposure
  8. Increase International media presence and recognition
  9. Meet high quality prospects and decision makers
  10. Reinforce your company's brand awareness in the local government market place
  11. Experience the most efficient way to reach your new customers

Visitors Profile

  • Architects and Interior Designers
  • Builders, Engineers, Town Planners, Property Developers
  • Corporates and MNCs
  • Directors, CEOs, Presidents / Vice Presidents
  • IT Managers from various industries
  • Departmental / Chain Stores
  • Purchase Managers and Office Managers from FMCG, Entertainment, Healthcare, Educational Institutions and Other Industries
  • Government Bodies, Municipal & Public Offices
  • BPO and Auditorium Authorities etc

Organizers

IIID Showcase 2010 will be jointly organized by ZAK Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. and Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID).

Venue

Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC)
Bandra - Kurla Complex, Maharashtra, 400051
East, Mumbai, India

Friday, August 6, 2010

Glass Exteriors, a Sector of Energy Efficiency in “Yamuna”



Yamuna, the new corporate office of leading global water management solution company Kirloskar Brothers Ltd at Pune, India, stands tall and proud, having just received the prestigious LEED Platinum rating.

Yamuna is spread over 3 acres of land and has a capacity of 500 employees.

The gamut of energy-efficient features Yamuna is endowed with help it save up to 50% energy and 30% water through the use of solar power, glass panels, eco-friendly cooling systems, CFL fixtures and rainwater harvesting, among several others.

  1. Highlighted glass exteriors have given Yamuna a breathtaking outward appearance that befits a modern corporate building.
  2. A glass atrium and landscaped terrace with green indoor plantations provide a work-friendly environment and also serve as a place for relaxation.
  3. A large number of glass panels are fitted along the walls, which allow natural light inside the building, thereby saving on electricity.
  4. Energy efficient CFLs are used for lighting.
  5. The use of ergonomic furniture ensures complete comfort for employees.
  6. A well-stocked café that serves hygienic and nutritious food is another feature of Yamuna.
  7. A clinic is present within the facility for emergency medical requirements.
  8. Sophisticated fire-fighting equipment is installed within the premises.
  9. Other amenities like an auditorium, library, a well equipped gymnasium, badminton court, swimming pool and an amphitheatre allow for employee recreation and networking.
  10. Yamuna uses water-cooled VRV air conditioning systems with sensors for monitoring CO2 levels and optimizing intake of fresh air. The structure has photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, which meet 2.6% of power requirements.
  11. Other energy efficient gadgets in Yamuna include green LCD monitors.
  12. A substantial amount of water requirements are fulfilled by rainwater harvesting.
  13. The entire campus is a ‘no smoking’ area.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

First Glass Skyscraper with Built-In Wind Turbines – “Strata Towers”


Yet another skyscraper surfaces on London’s skyline - “Strata SE1” at Elephant and Castle. Strata SE1 is a 43-story Tower with a height of 147 metres (485 ft) and a five-story Pavilion which features 408 high-quality apartments along with space for shops and restaurants.

Strata Towers is the first building in the world to incorporate wind turbines directly into its structure, and is also tallest residential building in central London. It is also dubbed “Razor”, since its structure resembles the shape of electric shaving razor. This architectural landmark is designed by BFLS, formally known as Hamiltons.

The Strata Towers is glazed entirely with high performance Low-E architectural glass. Large glass surfaces of the building raise internal building temperatures and promote the “heat island” effect in cities. Floor-to-ceiling windows in each apartment give a breathtaking view of the surroundings and operable windows provide natural daylight to the residents.

Energy efficiency measures at the building include using a natural, “whole house” ventilation system (with heat recovery) instead of air-conditioning – a feasible approach given the island nation’s mild climate, which ranges from about 0ºC (32°Fahrenheit) in winter to a balmy 32ºC (89.6° Fahrenheit) in summer. Sustainable features also include heating systems, low energy lighting and 96 percent recycling of construction waste.

Wind Turbines

The tower avails full advantage of the area’s 35mph of south-west wind speed. Wind turbines use five 30 ft. diameter and 19 kW blades instead of three as in conventional turbines, to minimize noise. Each blade configures to 9 m length and 30 ft. diameter. Four anti-vibration dampeners help alleviate vibrations to the building.

Three building-integrated wind turbines in this building generate 8% of the total electricity needs of the building, roughly enough to run the electrical and mechanical services (including three express lifts and automated window-cleaning rigs) as well as the lighting, heating and ventilation of its public spaces, which include an underground car and bicycle park.

The turbines are designed to rely on the Venturi effect (the Bernoulli principle as applied to fluid dynamics), which increases wind velocities as a result of a building’s height, shape and adjacent terrain to generate approximately 50MWh of electricity annually.

ZAK Glass Technology International 2010



ZAK Glass Technology International is a Leading Glass Technology event on Glass & Glazing Industry in the Indian peninsula. Started in 2003, this trade fair is an international event that offers the latest trends in technology and innovation a platform for exhibition. These are exposed to the best of buyers, both from within and outside the country.

The event is also a converging point for world leaders in technology and industry. The growth of ZAK Glass Technology International has coincided with the growth of the glass and glazing industry in India.

The show is held every other year at New Delhi & Mumbai, and is attended by visitors not just from India but also neighbouring countries.

ZAK Glass Technology International 2010

Event Profile

Succeeding the sensation created by ZAK Glass Technology International 2009, its 8th edition - ZAK Glass Technology International 2010 - is going to be held between 3rd and 5th December at New Delhi, India.

The 7th edition witnessed participation from 220 exhibitors from more than 20 countries and attracted 26,000 visitors from 14 countries. This year’s show is expected to rope in more than 250 companies, of which 80 will be leading suppliers and manufactures of glass. This edition will showcase the entire supply chain of the glass industry, starting from manufacturing and going right up to areas of application.

Highlights

Over 300 Companies from 20 Countries

  1. Technology Seminars (ZAK Glasstech Conclave)
  2. Industry Workshops
  3. Buyer-Seller meet
  4. International Pavilion
  5. Tech Podium

Products Profile

This trade show will exhibit products of various categories.

  1. Active self cleaning glass
  2. Air Spacers
  3. Aluminium composite cladding material
  4. Aluminium composite panel
  5. Aluminium extrusions
  6. Architectural glass
  7. Art glass
  8. Automated toughened & laminated glass and machines
  9. Building and glazing hardware
  10. colour glass
  11. Door & windows
  12. Fabricators
  13. Fire-resistant glass
  14. Flat, hollow and bent glass
  15. Glasses and glazing Accessories
  16. Glazing
  17. Inspection for toughened glass
  18. Mirrors
  19. Processed glass products
  20. Solar glass
  21. Sun Protection Glass
  22. Toughened, laminated and tempered glass
  23. Insulating glass materials & machines
  24. Mirror coatings
  25. Glass blocks and so on.

Visitors’ Profile

1. Glass Dealers

  • Automotive
  • Glass Dealers User
  • Glass Processors
  • Fabricators
  • Contractor’s interior Decorators
  • Interior Consultants
  • Furniture Manufactures
  • Dealer’s distributors
  • Bus and Coach Manufacturers
  • Armed Forces Dealers Distributors

2. Trade Channels

  • Importers / Exporters
  • Distributors / Manufacturers
  • Wholesalers

3. Professionals

  • Architects
  • Interior Designers / Decorators

4. Institutional Buyers

  • Hotels
  • Hospitals
  • Restaurants
  • Shopping Centre
  • Property Developers
  • Builders
  • Business & IT Parks
  • Malls

5. Govt. Departments

  • Public Works Departments
  • Planning & Construction
  • Departments
  • Defence Services

Organizer

Zak Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd.

Venue

Pragati Maidan
Near National Zoological Park
Mathura Road
New Delhi
India.









Thursday, July 22, 2010

Green Skinned “G Towers” in Malaysia



G Tower is the latest in green buildings, incorporating features like massive green walls and refreshing rooftop gardens, located at the crossroads of two major thoroughfares in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This sustainable building received the Green Mark Gold Award from the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore. It has also taken up the position of being Malaysia’s first carbon positive building.
The building rings in a new concept by combining offices, a private club and a boutique hotel, all under one roof. The boutique hotel, named G City Club Hotel offers 180 executive rooms, conference rooms, function/board rooms and an infinity pool. The orientation of the building with the sun is very appropriate, and several water-efficient features have been incorporated.

Green Features

  1. This tower uses 25 percent less energy as compared to other buildings of similar size and location, thanks to efficient air-conditioning and lighting systems.
  2. Double glazed glass panels with vacuum in between have been used, which helps cut heat transmission.
  3. The extensive landscaping with sky gardens, ponds and green walls help cool the overall environment and improve air quality.
  4. The swimming pool is kept clean through the use of eco-friendly cleansing salt rather than chemicals.
  5. A sophisticated rain water harvesting system irrigates the plants and vertical greens found throughout the building. Condensed water from the cooling tower is collected for re-use.
  6. Hot water is generated using waste heat from the air-conditioning system.
  7. The carpets and external timber decking use green certified recyclable materials.
  8. The interior décor includes refurbished furniture.
  9. Toxic free building materials, paints and wallpapers are used for their low volatile organic content (VOC).
  10. Motion-sensitive lighting helps bring down power costs.
G tower saves nearly 7.3 million Kwh of electricity per year, at a ten-hour day, 6 day-week and 52-week year activity period. This is equivalent to a reduction of 3.5 million kgs carbon dioxide emission into the environment, which is same as saving 18000 trees per year.