The Rise of Glazing in Modern Indian Construction: How Glass Facades Are Redefining Indian Skylines

NEW DELHI - April 30, 2025 - PRLog -- India's urban architecture has seen a profound shift over the past few decades—from rigid, opaque buildings to fluid, transparent structures designed to optimize light, energy, and space. At the heart of this transformation is architectural glazing—no longer just a design choice, but a smart, sustainable building solution.

Tracing the Evolution

Glazing first entered Indian construction in the mid-20th century, with Chandigarh's Government Press Building (1953) and Le Meridien Hotel (early 80s) being early examples. However, the real shift came in the 1990s, when global design trends and the demand for modern, energy-efficient construction pushed India toward structural glass and aluminium composite facades.

In 1996, Mr. S.K. Bali, founder of Hectafine Alusystems India Ltd., played a key role in pioneering glazing in Northern India—executing two of the region's first projects to use modern façade elements.

Navigating India's Unique Climate

India's climatic diversity—from Delhi's dry heat to Mumbai's humidity—makes glazing implementation complex. But innovations like Low-E glass, double-glazed units, and ventilated façades enable buildings to meet ECBC and NBC standards without sacrificing design.

Types of Glazing in Today's Architecture

• Structural Glazing – Clean, frameless appearance with superior performance
• Semi-Unitized – Combines factory precision with on-site flexibility
• Fully Unitized – Prefabricated panels for faster installation and consistent quality
• Spider Glazing – Point-fixed glass for atriums and minimalistic entries

Each system offers unique benefits in cost, aesthetics, and performance.

Case Highlight: Venkateshwar Hospital, Dwarka

In 2016, Hectafine completed façade work for Venkateshwar Hospital, New Delhi, featuring:

• 100,000+ sq. ft. of curtain wall glazing
• Spider glazing and skylights
• Aluminium windows and doors
• ACP and ventilated rain-screen cladding
• Lacquered glass interiors

This large-scale healthcare project merged functionality with modern design and high insulation standards.

Why Glass is the Future

Glass facades offer unmatched benefits:

• ✅ Aesthetic flexibility
• ✅ Thermal & acoustic insulation
• ✅ Energy efficiency
• ✅ Durability & easy upkeep
• ✅ Enhanced daylighting

Hectafine: Leading the Transition

With 150+ projects and Saint-Gobain platinum partnership since 2008, Hectafine stands at the forefront of India's glazing evolution. From embassies to institutions, our expertise lies in crafting façades that are intelligent, sustainable, and future-ready.

As cities evolve, glazing will shape India's skylines—and Hectafine remains committed to redefining them.

🔗 View our projects: hectafine.net/projects