On The Surface

Surfaces form an essential element of our architectural structures. We bring you the latest developments and trends from this segment.

“In pure architecture the smallest detail should have a meaning or serve a purpose”.
– Augustus W. N. Pugin

A surface is nevertheless not a small detail; it is of central importance in architecture. It offers the primary interaction between people and buildings. As the superficial face of design, a surface is essentially the phenomenon that lets one visualise and experience architecture. With cutting-edge technology and consequent research and development, these products are now grabbing a lot of attention.

Beginning with sophisticated colour palettes and bespoke surface finishes, moving on to sustainably tailored surfaces, the trends in surfaces have evolved drastically. Today, the sky is the limit when it comes to the consideration of colour, texture and finishes for surfaces.

The Inside Track takes you on a journey tracing the recent developments in various surfaces including external facades, engineered flooring, paints, wall papers, tiles, marbles, laminates, etc.

Walls
Since the wall is of utmost significance as it covers the largest surface area within an enclosed space, the wall needs to be taken care of in a manner that befits its extensive nature.

This necessitates selecting the appropriate finish. With a plethora of interesting and innovative finishes, walls are becoming a matter of detail. A wide range of choices are available to cover your walls, from wall panels, to paints and wallpapers.

3FORM
The Painterly Collection from 3Form captures hand painted watercolours and infinite glass. It blurs the line between art and architecture.
Contact
web: www.3-form.com

Carnegie
Carnegie tiles are available in patterned and textured fabrics and variety of shapes. These panels are fit for use in institutes, offices and residential spaces.
Contact
web: www.carnegiefabrics.com

Elementto Wallpapers
Ellementto Wallpapers offers light and vibrant greens that inject brightness into dark spaces while the dark ones bring earthy vibes.
Contact
web: www.elementto.in

Floorings and Tiles
Hardwood floors, laminates and engineered – the choices are innumerable when it comes to the flooring of your space. You can get the most exciting flooring options to amp up your floor. Moreover, today tiles are undergoing a unique personality change as is visible in their impressive range of new designs.

Nitco
The Acacia Smoke Decori Collection by Nitco is eludes rustic charm on the floor it adorns. It is a good option for both residential and commercial use.
Contact
web: www.nitcotiles.in

Pergo
Pergo reinvents the laminate floor with its Sensation Collection. This laminate floor comes with silk matte finish and true to nature cracks and knots.
Contact
web: www.pergo.co.in

Notion- European Wooden Flooring Collection
The exquisite European Wooden Flooring Collection by Notion is made up of the finest quality materials with attention to every detail, providing unsurpassed ease of installation and quality of finish.
Contact
web: www.notion.net.in

Ceilings
Make the ceilings in your home, office or retail space stand out with a wide range of materials and features. There are a multitude of options to choose from as ceilings have shifted from the paradigm of being boring to exciting.

Armstrong
The Wood Work Grille Panels by Armstrong are warm natural wood ceilings that offer installation flexibility and a variety of design options.
Contact
web: www.armstrong.co.in

Saint Gobain
The Ecophone Sombra ceiling system offers ceiling solutions in bold black. A well proven acoustic solution for cinemas, the tiles from Sombra range are easily demountable.
Contact
web: www.saint-gobain.co.in

Hunter Douglas
Compatible with industry standard lighting, HVAC, speaker, fire safety and security issues, the Linear Plank Metalinx Ceilings are made of up to 92% recycled aluminium and 25% recycled steel.
Contact
web: www.hunterdouglas.in

External Facades
A facade is the defining element of a building, its first impression, its most lasting impression, a teller of what is to come within. Apart from serving as a protective envelope, façade solutions should ideally amalgamate modern technology and functionality with aesthetics.

Symonite
Aluminium Composite Panels from Symonite are stiff and rigid and less prone to damage and require less support to resist deflection upon load. They can be butt-jointed with silicone filler in a manner similar to that of glass panels.
Contact
web: www.symonite.com.au

Swisspearl®
Linearis from the Swisspearl panels are a fully developed cladding system proven to be rot-resistant, incombustible and virtually maintenance free.
Contact
web: www.swisspearl.com

Building Technologies Accelerator
Adaptive Solar Façade is suitable for mass production. It consists of thin-film PV modules and a lightweight structural frame. The framework is easy to install and can be customized to create architecturally unique designs.
Contact
web: www.bta.climate-kic.org

Blinds & Drapes
Privacy or aesthetics, whatever the need be, blinds and drapes fulfil the purpose. Hence, their significance can nonetheless be understated. With tropical vibes, sustainable elements and bold geometrics setting the stage, blinds and drapes are becoming showstoppers on the ramp as they showcase the latest in window dressings.

Zynna
The MYB Collection by Zynna reintroduces panel curtains in a new light. The collection encompasses many design periods and styles giving the blinds a real stroke of authenticity.
Contact
web: www.zynna.in

Clarke & Clarke
Inspired by the Caribbean, the tropical Cariba Collection is bold, bright and contemporary. The colours featured in this collection of printed cottons include a vibrant mix of spice, raspberry and aqua.
Contact
web: www.clarke-clarke.co.uk

Rumors Fine Furnishings
Rumors Fine Furnishings recently unfolded its new collection titled the English Cottage Collection that draws its inspiration from the elements of nature.
Contact
web: www.rumorsindia.in

Looking Ahead…

Surfaces today have limitless possibilities so far as colour, texture and patterns are concerned. Surface design companies are exploring and experimenting with materials with an attempt to create unique textures and patterns that juxtapose traditional craftsmanship, technological innovation and sustainability. Trends are constantly changing and evolving based on performance and client requirements.

Textures today vary from high gloss to subtle matt, luxurious rawness to distressed and metallic ones and optical grids to dark iridescence.

Colours are being extensively tailored to add stunning, bespoke designs and patterns to surfaces. Monochrome however continues to stay a classic design element in surfaces. Inspired by the Barbican building in London, monochrome stands out with the fashioning of alternately revealing layers.

Talking of possible trends for the surface finish industry this year, Mr. Ajith Babu, CEO, Nitco Ltd says, “There are many more varieties in flooring finishes than just substance or material. Wooden finish and Industrial Cement finish which are easier to maintain will rule the surface industry trend this year. With more and more consumers moving towards eco-friendly materials, natural elements like wood are being sought after”.

On taking a closer look at the construction industry over the last few decades, it is easy to deduce that the most hard-hitting concern of architects today, is the question of sustainability – the concept of the green building.

From effective HVAC systems to renewable energy production to low-cost building materials and techniques, sustainable architecture aims to minimize the negative environmental impact of a building, with a broader goal to preserve our resources for future generations.

While designers fight this battle, they are dutifully supported by the biggest weapon of our time – a rapidly progressing technology that has the ability to evolve overnight.

Thus, the currently most predominant trend in surfaces is inspired by a green sensibility and a renewed enthusiasm to innovate both in form and utility.