Source: Aluminium International Today – Aluminium – Revolutionising modern architecture

The history of Aluminium application in building and architecture dates back in Western Europe and in Poland in the form of Aluminium windows, doors, and wall siding. In the early 1960s, these aluminium elements combined with glass and composite-plates received acceptance for their role as structured elements of the building facades. This development uplifted the introduction
of new building technologies offering architectural aesthetics combined with energy-efficient lightweight wall facades. Over the years, Aluminium profiles and its alloys have emerged into a superior metal transforming the world of architecture as no other building material did. From the highrise, modern marvels to its carefully crafted interiors is a testimony of its potential.
The modern architecture is undergoing continuous design innovation; with this, there is an opportunity for Aluminium to further underpin its hold as a preferred structural and decorative architectural material. It is already a metal of choice among the community
of architects, designers and builders but, there is still a need for secondary aluminium producers and architecture & construction industries to work closely with each other for the invention of alloys supporting the green architecture and sustainable building designs.

The metal getting avant-garde in the architectural segment:

Conventionally used in the foam-work in commercial buildings, the metal today is also a popular choice fit for domestic usage. The reason for its commercial and residential success is the metal’s aesthetics coupled with an exceptional value for money. Common applications of Aluminium in the modern construction industry include doors, window frames, facades, and long-span roof systems, which take advantage of the metal’s ductile nature to produce steady and durable forms. The first-rate element for exterior façades and cladding systems, Aluminium alloys support hefty glass spans, thus harnessing natural light for energy-efficiency in buildings. One of its most distinctive properties making it a perfect fit for modern-age sustainable building construction is 100% recyclability without losing its properties. For instance, the Aluminium window installed in a building is not lost during the structure’s lifetime; instead, it can be reused and recycled an infinite number of times. It is a fact that 75% of Aluminium ever produced over hundreds of years is still in use today.

An architect’s metal of choice:

Presently the metal occupies about 55% share of the total fenestration market in India. The ease of forming it into almost any shape makes it prevalent for structural applications and usage in building components like doors, windows, roofing, curtain walls, balustrades, and decorations. This lightweight metal when used in construction as a base material weighs 35 to 65% lesser than other building components while providing equal strength. This reduced structural load helps in lessening the carbon footprint. Its speedy acceptance in the usage of ACPs (Aluminium Composite Panels) for modern structural designs has made it a space-age element in the construction fi eld. Aluminium rolled products can be manufactured flat, curved, or even sandwiched with other materials. The metals design freedom has made it an opted material in the building’s exterior façade.

Joining the green building revolution:

As per global statistics, present-day infrastructure development consumes about 75% of the total energy. More alarming is the fact that 20-26% of landfill waste is from building construction and renovation. Aluminium frames prove its worth in enabling to design gravity-defying and energy-efficient buildings with less CO2 emissions. At the end of its life cycle, the metal can be reused with minimal energy without any quality loss. Being more weather-resistant as compared to conventional wood, the metal can stand up against the harshest conditions.

Aluminium the modern choice for home interiors:
Owing to its freedom of choosing a shape, Aluminium is a prime candidate in the design of tables, chairs, shutters, picture frames, lamps, decorative wall panels, air conditioning units, and heaters. The lightweight metal leads the market when it comes to outdoor furniture; movable folding chairs in street cafes, benches, and compact shelves.

Aluminium-intensive structures are already front runners in the global race for sustainable buildings and are all set to be a game-changer in the world of Indian architecture and design.