FENESTRATION

The term fenestration originates from the Latin word fenestra, meaning window. In
Architecture, fenestration refers to the openings in the building façade which mainly
comprises of doors and windows.
Fenestration is a very commonly used term. Though the elements it comprises, i.e.
doors, windows and other openings and puncture might seem to be just a small arena
of a design, but hold a much larger importance and function.
Fenestration not only propagate light, ventilation, protection and viewing framing, but
the geometry and proportion, materials used, modularity, articulation and
juxtaposition give a character and imageability to the built form. It also caters some
intangible aspects like establishing relationship with the surrounding, responding to
Anthropomorphism, defining movement and axis, etc.
A building without openings and punctures would just be a mere enclosure of walls and
roofs where habitation would’ve been next to impossible in the absence of light and
ventilation. But fenestration is the weakest thermal link in the building envelope and a
lot of considerations need to be taken while designing the Fenestration to protect the
environment and reducing the emissions of various unwanted gases and also naturally
maintaining a comfortable environment for the maximum time of the year.
ISSUES

Fenestration

Contribution of
Fenestration as a
Fenestration as a fenestration to the
key to net-zero
design element. energy efficiency
carbon buildings.
of buildings

All the above mentioned issues are overlapping and mainly focus on
 Protection of environment
 Maintaining the thermal comfort naturally so as to minimize the use of artificial
ventilation that add to the carbon footprint
 Cutting the emission of greenhouse gases to as close to zero as possible.