PUNE’S architecture is in for a sea change. With new building technologies being imported, the mélange of buildings towering high have unique façade and interiors, which are truly one – of –its Kind! The architects are fast warming up to the idea of making good use of light to give different colour effects to the building. Besides, plumbing fixtures, sunpipes, granite tiles and stretcher lifts are the latest additions to high –end residential and commercial complexes.

Rohit Gera, real estate developers, feels that there has been a fundamental shift in the external semblance of the buildings in the city. “The architectural paradigm has undergone a major change. Earlier, the emphasis was simply on the façade of the building, while now the focus is towards making the structure functional.”

“We’ve just unveiled a sunpipe for the lower basement. Normally, no natural light reaches the lower basement compounding expenditure on the electricity. Now, these sun-pipes will transmit natural light into the lower basement.”

Developer R Vasudevan feels that there has been emphasis on energy efficient system like plumbing fixtures. “In high – end housing, plumbing fixtures are being increasingly used so that there is less wastage of water. Among the latest import, granite tiles and wooden flooring are the in-things. Insulated and double –glazed glasses are being increasingly used. Glass helps in saving air-conditioning load and ensures sound protection.”

Developer Anil Sheolkar adds, “I’ve introduced new facilities like stretcher lift and wheel chairs in the building fir the elderly, which were not there before.” A new trend in the city, introduced by him is the usage of light. “Playing with light can change the look of the building.” Builder Sanjay Deshpande too lays emphasis on the usage of natural light. “Residential buildings should make maximum use of natural ventilation,” he says

Among the residential complexes, builder Manish Jain feels that a there is an increasing emphasis on giving different shapes to the buildings like square and semi-circle while among commercial buildings, there is an increasing usage of glass.