Call it Swiss cheese or polka dots—however you describe the exterior of the Chrome Hotel, it boils down to this: it has a lot of holes. But those holes have a purpose.
The designers at Sanjay Puri Architect punctuated the facade with holes to allow natural light to stream into the building. While this minimizes the costs of air conditioning—about 25%—the punctuated facade also creates a unique night look when the holes are backlit by LED lights.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Braille-inspired Design
- The concept of using holes/punctuations in building's facade can create visually interesting patterns with functional benefits.
- Sustainable Architecture
- Using holes in building design like in Chrome hotel, can minimize energy cost while introducing natural light inside the structure.
- Interactive Exterior Design
- Integrating LED lighting with the building's facade can create a beautiful illuminated effect that can change based on time of day or special occasions.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Architecture
- There is a new opportunity for architects to explore innovative exterior design solutions that offer both beauty and function at lowest cost possible.
- Construction
- By integrating proper lighting with holes/punctuations, the construction industry can create visually stunning buildings that are unique and functional.
- Energy Efficiency
- The energy industry can find opportunities to promote natural lighting installations that provide cost savings to building owners and reduce energy consumption across the country.
