Facade turnkey solutions from MFT

Mr. A.P. Mahesh, director, Meinhardt Façade Technology (MFT)

Meinhardt Façade Technology (MFT) is a specialist subsidiary of Meinhardt, with a team of Designers, Engineers, Scientists, and Technicians, specialized in all aspects of façade works. We provide the highest level of consulting service in relation to façade design, weatherproofing, engineering, construction, maintenance and diagnostic evaluation. MFT is the second largest facade consultant in the world and are the largest facade Consultant outside America, The largest BMU consultant in the

1.       Being one of the reputed glazing consultant, can you briefly explain what exactly is the role of Meinhardt as a glazing consultant?

Glass is an important aspect of what we do, but façades comprise of many more materials, such as various polymer materials, coatings, many different types of metals (aluminum, steel, zinc, copper, etc.), stone veneer, cement derivatives, and more. Having clarified this aspect, our role on a project is to help the client and architect achieve their vision for the building envelope. We do this through guiding the façade systems and materials selection process, developing a comprehensive technical specification, preparing detailed technical drawings of the envelope elements, reviewing the façade contractor submittals, witnessing on-site and off-site façade testing, verifying the implementation of adequate QA/QC processes in the factory as well as on site, and much more.

2.      What are kind of glazing consultancy services do Meinhardt offer globally?

The first impression of a building is its façade.  Our input is especially important for clients to achieve a quality building that befits their corporate image. Meinhardt Façade Technology is presumably the largest façade consultancy practice in the world, with close to 200 staff in 14 offices from Australia to Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Our clients achieve superior benefits combined with cost savings and cost avoidance. Resolving technical problems quickly with the façade contractor is vital in getting the project finished on time with minimal variations. We improve the construction programme and keep delays to a minimum.

3.      What according to you are the primary and secondary functions of various building Envelopes?

The building envelope, as its name suggest, is the first and only barrier between the interior of the building and exterior elements. As such, it must perform a variety of functions, such as keeping water and moisture out, limiting heat gain or loss, allowing daylight into the building, limiting noise transmission, etc. In addition to this, the building skin defines the appearance of the building. The choice of systems, materials, lighting strategy and interfaces all contribute to establishing the aesthetic appearance of the building. Besides these functions, the building envelope may be required to perform a host of additional functions, including protecting the occupants from falling from height, harnessing solar energy, limiting damage in case of fire or terrorist attack, etc.

4.      Of late, glazing design is looking at various aspects like energy conservation, efficiency, strength, resistance to high speed winds and vibrations. Can you shoot some insight of your projects locally and globally on this?

Achieving a high quality façade requires great attention to details.  We work closely with our client and the architect to deliver an optimal and holistic building design. Our consultants, designers and engineers make full use of their many years of experience, combined with the latest software tools, in order to mitigate environmental effects such as typhoon wind, tropical rain, strong earthquakes, etc. Having offices scattered across numerous locations provides us with insight into the specific local conditions to cater for. In addition to dedicated façade personnel, Meinhardt Façade Technology also has a team of Environmentally Sustainable Design specialists on staff. This dedicated ESD team works closely with their façade colleagues in order to develop the best possible outcome for the client as well as the environment through reduction in materials used, the use of alternative materials, the adoption of highly-efficient building skins, etc. They make use of the latest building modelling software in order to achieve highly sustainable façades. Through the combined efforts of our ESD and façade teams, we have contributed to numerous projects that have garnered Platinum rating through various green building certification systems. Thanks to this strongly multi-disciplinary approach to façade design, we have been fortunate to be part of the teams working on some of the largest and most complex building envelope projects in the world, including the World Trade Centre 3 in Beijing, Resorts World at Sentosa in Singapore, The Dubai Mall, and over a thousand more projects across the globe.

5.      How do you foresee the future of facades, glazing and cladding industry in India and globally?

Traditionally, building envelope design in India has been relatively conservative, generally featuring large extents of brick walls with punched windows. Buildings with full curtain walls were rather rare. While this is still largely the case, more and more fully-glazed buildings are starting to appear across the country. It will be a while yet, though, until India catches up with some of the larger cities around the globe where glassed high-rise towers are commonplace. Unfortunately, the façades of many buildings remain with poor quality and perilous, or have adopted materials that are highly detrimental to the environment. The challenge for India as for the rest of the world will be to ensure that the envelopes of buildings that are yet to be developed are designed in a safe and sustainable manner.