Mumbai’s SBUTCluster1 Project Sets a New Standard with Record-Breaking BIPV Solar Facade. The Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT Cluster1) project in Mumbai is a landmark initiative prioritizing community development and environmental stewardship. Aesthetic Designs, being and architects for the project and a leading architectural firm recognized for its innovative blend of creativity, functionality, and sustainability, plays a pivotal role in shaping this transformative project.
One particular building within the SBUT Cluster1 project, Al-Rehan, has garnered significant attention for its groundbreaking facade. Al-Rehan boasts the distinction of housing India’s tallest Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Solar facade.
This translates to solar panels strategically incorporated into the building’s exterior, enabling the generation of clean energy on-site.
The BIPV facade on Al-Rehan is not merely an aesthetic addition. The team at Aesthetic Designs conducted comprehensive research to identify the most efficient panel type, size, and placement for maximizing energy production.
Utilizing advanced analyses, such as solar irradiation and overshading assessments, they ensured optimal positioning by focusing on areas receiving maximum sunlight throughout the day.
Al-Rehan’s design transcends mere functionality and prioritizes cost-effectiveness. The architects implemented an ingenious solution for servicing the panels from the front of the building, eliminating the need for a dedicated service corridor and streamlining maintenance processes.
This approach not only reduces costs but also minimizes the anchored system, lessening the structural load on the building. Additionally, the design incorporates optimized joinery details, leading to reduced material consumption and enhanced façade performance.
Considering the scale of Al-Rehan’s BIPV facade, one of the largest in India, the design team meticulously addressed critical factors like wind loads and safety.
This involved a robust anchorage system seamlessly integrated with Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) components.
Furthermore, meticulous detailing ensured seamless transitions between GRC-to-GRC, GRC-to-solar, and BIPV-to-glazing elements, guaranteeing the facade functions as a unified and cohesive system.
Notably, the north-facing facade utilizes glazing panels that aesthetically complement the south-facing solar panels, ensuring a balanced visual presentation.
Al-Rehan’s BIPV facade transcends its role as a clean energy generator. It stands as a testament to the immense potential of sustainable design within the architectural landscape.
This project serves as a groundbreaking example for future developments, paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious India.
Fact File
Designed by: Aesthetic Designs
Project Type: Architectural Company
Project Name: The Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Principal Architect: Ar. Juzer Chahwala
CEO: Ar. Huzaifa Chahwala,
Firm’s Website Link: Aesthetic Designs
Firm’s Facebook Link: Aesthetic Designs
Editors’ Note – This colonial house in Delhi carries an ambience of grandeur, infused with the elegance of Victorian-style colonialism. Expansive living, dining, and kitchen areas open into light-filled spaces framed by large glazing that connect seamlessly to the surrounding landscape. Inside, tropical interiors with bold geometry add a contemporary layer of comfort. The residence […]
“Hilltop House” is envisioned as a contemporary yet context-sensitive residential project that harmonizes architecture and interior design to create a sanctuary perched on a scenic elevation. The design will respond directly to the topography, climate, and panoramic views, while delivering a highly functional, comfortable, and aesthetically refined living environment. This Hilltop House in Indore Is […]
In the layered urban grain of Manjeri, the Timeless House reimagines a 1970s sloping roof residence through careful transformation. It’s a home that doesn’t shout for attention, but quietly repositions itself within its time and place, a sensitive reinterpretation of memory, material, and movement. Originally built in 1972, the house was structurally sound, featuring load-bearing […]
Editor’s Note: There’s something truly special about homes crafted with thought and care—where every corner and detail speaks to its users, becoming part of their memories. For siblings Akhila and Kaushik, Sona Reddy Studio brought this vision to life in One Summer House, a rustic farmhouse tucked within the vibrant city of Hyderabad. Designed with […]
This southwest-facing bungalow, with golden accents in its interiors, is a refined expression of contextual and climate-responsive modern architecture. The home embraces its orientation with an intelligent façade design that balances aesthetic appeal and environmental performance. With the sun’s harshest rays hitting the structure in the latter half of the day, the architects incorporated a […]
This North Facing villa opens towards the East to always soak in the cool and diffused light. Its orientation is mindful of the adjoining clubhouse and its expansive garden. The planning allows the villa’s private lawn to visually merge with it, creating a larger and cohesive space. With a connection to the open space at […]
An Urban Sanctuary Woven with Craft, Warmth, and Light Explicitly tucked into a quiet residential pocket, this home with a jaali facade is a thoughtfully layered expression of calm, character, and craftsmanship. Every surface and corner is rooted in intention — where light, material, and memory meet. The Jaali Design in this Layered Home Exudes […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]