Rethinking Fenestration from the lens of sustainability

New Delhi, June 23 Sustainability has become a catchphrase to describe our lifestyle. The concept has emerged as the ideal model for our built up environment to meet our needs without denying the needs of future generations.

To reduce a building's environmental impact, opting for sustainable building systems is the first thing to do. The goal is to encourage a holistic perspective when designing; focusing not just on what people see, but also on how it will affect the building's energy performance. The building envelope, especially the choice of a fenestration system, goes far beyond its usual framework. It impacts a building's energy use through thermal heat transfer, solar heat gain, visible transmittance and air leakage, thus forming an important aspect of sustainable design. More than an architectural expression, fenestration systems have become a factor that determines the sustainability of buildings.

A sustainable facade is a high-performance intelligent building system that allows daylight into the building while significantly reducing energy consumption and maintaining a comfortable indoor environment, promoting the health and needs of its occupants. The key approach is to consider climate-specific approaches in the application of such facades. Fenestrations with a low U-factor and high SHGCs