Nitin Mehta, Co-Founder and Executive Director of ALCOI is one of India’s leading suppliers of eco-friendly high–performance fenestration solutions. With his futuristic outlook and innovative leadership, Nitin has led the growth of ALCOI into an industry leader in the realm of premium fenestrations. Under his leadership, ALCOI has transformed into a one–stop solutions provider for the design, manufacturing, installation and servicing of precision–engineered fenestration systems in India and abroad.
Today with us he talks about the fenestration systems in hotels and material durability of the same.
Nitin Mehta: The hospitality industry faces the challenge of adapting to the seasonal changes in its location without compromising its services and customer experience. One can implement several predetermined measures to ensure a smoother transition between seasons. Many such decisions are one-time, design-based decisions that can be made at the planning and construction stage of hotels. While materiality and layout play an important role here, fenestration systems have a lot to offer to combat seasonal adversities and turn them into opportunities for better hospitality.
Monsoon is a demanding season that requires special attention and mitigation measures. It presents its challenges in the form of humidity, precipitation, dampness and constant weather changes. Understanding the factors determining monsoon-friendly fenestration systems can help us design better hotels.
- Understanding the climate of the region
Climate plays a big role in recognising the appropriate fenestration system for a particular project. In India, for example, the rainfall varies significantly from region to region. A better insight into the monsoon conditions for that region can point us towards appropriating the system to make it monsoon-friendly. It also gives us a better idea of the ideal materials, window sizes and typology of fenestration systems. Sun-shading devices, the porosity of the facade and the protrusion of the sill and lintel are some of the decisions affected by the climate of that region.
- Water and leakproof systems
Rainfall subjects the outer facade of any building to prolonged water exposure. This can lead to water collection in low-lying areas on the facade and can lead to an ingress of water into the building. Fenestration systems must be designed to prevent this ingress and be waterproof and leakproof in their designs. Well-manufactured systems with a calculation-backed process guarantee water tightness. Moreover, the installation of these systems should be done meticulously to avoid gaps between the window and the wall. One should seal any such gaps and thoroughly check the system for any leakages.
- Adequate sound and thermal insulation
In places with heavy rainfall, sound insulation should be a high priority to keep unnecessary noise at bay. Sealing gaps between the fenestration system and the facade can take care of any gaps and is a good measure to ensure sound insulation in a space.
The monsoon season poses challenges of differing temperatures and humidity. Effective ventilation and thermal insulation can help combat these issues and maintain good airflow. Thermal comfort is essential to a satisfactory user experience and can be solved through fenestration design. Various types of glass are available in the market that cater to sound and thermal insulation.
- Dust repelling fenestration systems
Spotless, clean spaces are a prerequisite for hospitality projects. Setting out with a plan for easy cleaning and maintenance systems can go a long way to ensure proper hygiene and sanitation within the building. Fenestration systems that don’t allow dust to settle on them and offer easy access for cleaning are an ideal fit for this parameter.
- Long-lasting and durable materials
Hospitality projects experience a high footfall and constant use of the built environment. Therefore, elements that enable this frequent use should be thought of for such projects. For example, fenestration systems made from robust, durable materials like aluminium and glass can warranty a longer lifespan. Such choices allow for constant changes within the built environment without causing harm to the exterior facade.
- Capturing captivating views
As a typology in the tourism industry, hotels and resorts are placed strategically to capture scenic locations and the beauty of the surrounding. Different types of rooms available in a hotel are often classified as per the view they behold. This heavily impacts the choice of windows installed on the facade. Minimal, sleek-profiled windows with longer spans can provide unobstructed views to the guests.
Along with that, it is also essential for fenestration systems to adhere to the aesthetic style of the property. For example, unimposing windows with minimal frames are a good fit to complement most interior design styles without compromising the aesthetics of the space.
The hotel industry largely focuses on customer satisfaction and a memorable experience. Therefore, it is essential to cover all aspects of this experience and improvise on them to maintain this experience. Appropriate fenestration systems offer solutions to many of these aspects, making them an integral part of the design process.
