"access floors"

To set the internal aesthetics apart from other similar projects being built in Brisbane, Wood Marsh Architects designed some jaw-dropping gold ribbon ceilings that hover above the modern curved walls, which elegantly wrap around the lobby floor. In saying this, achieving perfection is not a simple task and none of this could have been accomplished without Rondo’s technical designs and NAC’s expertise in making them come to life.

Construction has concluded on the redevelopment of the ‘old Harris Scarfe’ site at Rundle Mall in Adelaide. The renovations seek to re-energise the area but remain committed to preserve Adelaide’s most cherished department store. Four floors of retail space have had the base built by Interior Projects who have been a valued Rondo customer since 1988. Rondo provided essential technical expertise and design solutions for the fire walls and security mesh between tenancies.

Designed with sustainability and a targeted 5-star green star rating in mind, the building has drawn on Alspec products which feature high performance credentials for the floor-to-ceiling glazing and sliding doors. On the façades, Hunter Evo 150mm Double Glazed Flush Framing was used to construct the interfaces between guests and the habitat. The Hunter framing can accommodate up to 40mm double glazed and is well suited to gently curved and faceted façades, such as featured in the dining and kitchen extension.

Occupying a 2134m2 block of premium land, Leopold residential apartments is one of the newest commercial/residential developments in Melbourne’s residential and business district. The project involved the internal demolition of existing commercial fit out, the construction of an additional six levels and the fit-out of 174 residential apartments as well as four office tenancies. The works undertaken comprised of a new wall facade, the attachment of 97 new balconies to the existing structure, and installation of a structural steel transfer level with lightweight floor system (Powerscope).

COLLABORATIONSchool cleaning and maintenance teamBRIEFSchool bathrooms are notorious for bad smells, mould and stains. Our ECOCLEAN team were asked to apply our coatings to the ceramic floor and wall tiles and ceiling surfaces in the boy’s bathroom to reduce smell and provide easier clean.MATERIAL & APPLICATIONECOCLEAN Anti-Odour Coating (for wall tiles)ECOCLEAN Clean and Protect Shield (for floor tiles)ECOCLEAN Antimould Coating (for ceiling)OUTCOMEOnce applied, our ECOCLEAN coatings will remove the unpleasant odours, virus and bacteria that come into contact with the coated surface with the added benefit of easy cleaning.Before application the school bathroom scored a reading a 18,494 RLC on the Lumitester (classified as very dirty). Following cleaning and application of our ECOCLEAN coatings the bathroom presented with a reading of 887 RLU on the Lumitester showing a dramatic improvement in health and safety of the bathroom. Further testing also concluded that the bathroom was much less slippery than prior to the application.ECOCLEAN has provided this bathroom with a fresher and cleaner environment which has also improved the health and safety of all visiting students.COMMENTECOCLEAN coatings have been independently laboratory tested on a wide range of common substances responsible for acrid smells and health issues. These substances are the source of unpleasant odours in a range of environments including bathrooms, smoking areas, gyms, and areas near food waste.

Minter Ellison's award-winning office specified SAS International ceilings as part of their overall workplace well-being strategy. Designed by BVN, the feature ceilings enhance the open floor design while minimising the use of materials. BVN challenged internal preconceptions of how major law firms present themselves to staff and clients alike. Deliberately shying away from a stiff, corporate feel, they specified SAS750 Tubeline in black. Their aim was to evoke a sleek and forward-thinking dynamism while maintaining a highly professional atmosphere. Elsewhere in the office areas SAS310 metal pan ceilings were specified with an unusually large perforation. This design feature creates a visually engaging ceiling which offers subtle system integration for sprinklers, down-lighters and other small services. Due to a tight project programme, micro-perforated SAS150 was specified knowing the tiles were readily available in the Sydney warehouse. The system satisfied acoustic absorption requirements too, achieving 0.95 NRC. Minter Ellison invested in not just a Grade A office redevelopment, but also their staff, improving motivation and retention. The reinvigorated space also communicates a clear sense of approach to visiting clients, underlining core brand values. Occupying the top 8 floors of the Governor Macquarie Tower, the project won the 'John Verge Award for Interior Architecture (NSW Architecture Awards) in 2016.

Imagine waking up in this 4-star luxury hotel with panoramic view of the IJ and the city of Amsterdam. Hotel Jakarta: a BREEAM Excellent certified energy-neutral hotel in Amsterdam. Designed with sustainability in mind. Unique for the Netherlands is the 30-meter-high timber structure of the hotel. All columns, ceilings and frames are made from natural, FSC or PEFC certified wood. The south and east façades are covered with 700 m2 of building-integrated solar energy panels (BIPV panels). The glass roof that covers the atrium also contains BIPV cells that, in addition to collecting energy, also function as sun blinds for the subtropical inner garden. The atrium is the center of the hotel and works as a temperature controller in both summer and winter. On each side of the building, rooms have their own covered outdoor space that functions as a structural awning. A custom made revolving door provides access to the hotel where there is a dynamic public area with various bars, restaurants, coffee corners and a wellness center. This transparent revolving door is almost 6 meters high and fits perfectly with the appearance of the facade. In addition, this type of entrance solution is in line with the sustainability requirements of the building.

This unique offset ellipse design tower had to allow the ceiling to flow around the building. A bespoke SAS330 metal ceiling system was specified incorporating trapezoidal panels. Trust Tower forms one of three new tower blocks; part of the Central Market development. The first tower to be completed is tower three a 59-storey commercial office development. The tower is a unique offset ellipse design, to allow the ceiling to flow around the building a bespoke. SAS330 metal ceiling system was specified incorporating trapezoidal panels. Enabling a monolithic finish to the ceiling plane, black service troughs house recessed lighting and other MEP services; this enables maximum acoustic performance to be achieved from the ceiling tiles. Over 900 different sized ceiling tiles were manufactured and installed throughout the project. Metal ceilings provide durability, accessibility to the ceiling void and low maintenance. The life-span of SAS International’s metal ceilings is in excess of 25 years with only very basic maintenance. The entrance mezzanine area features a four-storey high ceiling finished in midnight blue, providing a dramatic entrance to this iconic building.

Forget predictable ‘Hamptons’ beach design, and instead think laid-back beach location with a slight mid-century feel. To compliment the Goodwood Victorian ash, IronAsh cladding and Australian Oak Engineered Flooring were specified to create a continuous flow of design from inside to out. Matching the timber throughout a space creates a harmonious atmosphere that connects each room cohesively. Specifying timber all from the one manufacturer like ASH means you are getting consistent grain and quality products throughout the entire build.

Britex are proud to be involved in another successful VSBA School Upgrade Project at Upper Yarra Secondary College in Yarra Junction, Victoria. The completion of Stage One of the College’s Upgrade and Modernisation Project saw the inclusion of almost 30 Grade 316 SS Acid Resistant Britex Laboratory Bowls for their state of the art science and technology facilities throughout. A floor mounted 3.5m Vandal Resistant Sanistep Urinal was also installed in the Male Bathrooms complete with Smart Saniflush Sensor Flushing System, a water efficient and hygienic choice ideal for education projects.

Located in Fortitude Valley in the heart of Brisbane. Builder, Multiplex began Stage 1 of this $200m project in May 2015 and completed it in July this year. Subcontractor, Precision Interior Walls & Ceilings enlisted Rondo’s expertise in designing the internal ceilings and partitions, external walls and soffit framing. Designed by Architect’s Elenberg Fraser, Stage 1 of the development consisted of 32 levels with 910 luxury apartments sprawled across two towers. This will eventually form part of three residential towers incorporating ground floor retail areas, cafés, restaurants and over 1000 apartments in total.

Two high-end department stores Rokin 21 and Rokin 49 are rented by the Canadian Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), making this their Dutch headquarters. Both buildings have a new façade, which has been designed to blend in with their historic location. Authenticity is achieved with 3D curved aluminum façades and curtain walls housing enormous windows. The storefront display windows on the ground floor are 4.5 by 3 meters. A collaboration between Boon Edam and Stackdoor has resulted in an impressively tall entrance through a glass Tourniket original revolving door with a height of 4.3 meters.

Hospitality and security are often at odds with each other. The challenge is to find the best compromise between Fort Knox and a warm welcome. Telecom company Liberty Global recently carried out a major renovation of their head office in Schiphol-Rijk – the Netherlands. As part of the project, the access security was considerably tightened, without affecting their brand’s desired welcoming appearance. Liberty Global is an international telecommunication and television company. It is also one of the largest internet service providers outside the USA. Liberty Global operates in 14 countries and has 35,000 employees. The head office is based in London and additionally there are central offices in Amsterdam and Denver. Consumer brands that belong to Liberty Global include VodafoneZiggo (50% Joint Venture with Vodafone), Virgin Media, UPC, Unitymedia and Telenet. In the high-quality business park - Schiphol-Rijk, Liberty Global have seven office buildings, which, collectively, employ a total of around 1600 people of 55 nationalities. "We did have manned security at the main entrance, but that solution did not always prevent people from entering our central hall unnoticed," says Simon Kuitert, who holds the position of Corporate Security Manager at Liberty Global. "That is why we introduced a single point of entry for the recent renovation."

CollaborationArchitect and Developer: Joe Adsett ArchitectsBuilder: Tomkins CommercialPrecaster: Advanced PrecastMaterial & ApplicationOur ECOTONE team provided expert colour application of ECOTONE Minsil to grey insitu concrete and the grey concrete precast elements. This included feature curved precast channel, raked precast concrete balustrade elements, insitu form grey concrete floor slabs and entry vestibule.OutcomeBotanic was designed by award winning architect Joe Adsett and positioned directly across from the iconic New Farm Park. Our ECOTONE finishes provided an excellent blend of surface colours to match in with a natural off-white concrete fairfaced appearance.

A significant Melbourne landmark, Victoria’s Shrine of Remembrance has undergone a major redevelopment by local firm ARM Architecture. Completed in late 2014, the redesign accommodates new requirements of the memorial that have evolved in recent years, while respecting the original design by Hudson and Wardrop, thus ensuring the memorial’s use by future generations.  Built between 1928 and 1934 to honour those who served in the First World War, the Shrine was inspired by the tomb of King Mausolus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. In the late 1990s, the Shrine of Remembrance Trustees embarked on a bold plan for the site. Access to the upper levels of the Shrine was problematic, especially for veteran visitors, and public visitation was increasing as younger generations came to understand the legacy of their forebears. Accordingly, the Shrine’s collections were expanding with donations of artefacts from families and a growing need for education facilities and an improved visitor experience became evident.  In 2001, ARM Architecture were commissioned to develop a master plan to develop the Shrine. Following the original 1920s design, ARM proposed four symmetrical zig-zag shaped courtyards, allowing access to the undercroft spaces under the existing structure which now house gallery areas, an auditorium, dedicated education rooms, an archive and offices. Stage 1 of the project saw the Visitor Centre and two of the courtyards completed on the north side of the structure in 2003. Stage 2 expanded the undercroft with the addition of the Education Centre and Galleries of Remembrance, and the final two courtyards. ARM Design Architect Jeremy Stewart explains “It was important that each of the courtyards had a distinct feel”. The open air Student Entry Courtyard offers a separate entrance to the Shrine for school groups, with a large sculptural poppy, the flower of wartime remembrance, suspended overhead. With the colour red notorious for fading on external structures, Interpon Powder Coatings recommended a system that would be colourfast. In a high traffic space that closes for only two days each year, with the additional solemnity of the memorial environment, choosing a product that would last the distance and require minimal maintenance was essential to this project. Interpon’s D2015 Gold Global Warranty offers the Shrine Trustees this assurance. Working with Locker Group, HDM Metal, an experienced fabricator and Interpon Approved Applicators AAF Vic and Powdercoating Services ACT as exclusive warrantors provided further reassurance of the product quality.  The giant overheard poppy features Interpon D2015 Ultriva™ R15 Crimson Matt YG215A and its support structure Interpon D2015 Ultriva™ Ebony YN201A. On the south west diagonal, the Terrace Courtyard features a lush green referencing South East Asian inspired garden. Amidst the greenery, laser cut aluminium panels coated in Interpon D2015 Ultriva™ R14 Waratah Matt YG222A list the names of Victorian towns, providing a reference point for visitors. The zig-zag shape of the terrace courtyards infer irregular exposure to the sun, further emphasising the need for a product of premium quality. “Interpon are interested in and open to ideas”, says Stewart, making this a win-win collaboration for the architects of this redevelopment of Victoria’s premier place of remembrance.  

About the ProjectIn response to unprecedented demand, Rouse Garden is filling the void of modern-day homes close to trains, shops & jobs at the most competitive price on the market. Featuring the diversity of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom homes, there’s something for everyone in the most wondrous apartments to grace Rouse Hill. From floor to ceiling glass walls, timber hardwood flooring in your living room and a private rooftop garden terrace complete with BBQ and lounge areas. The quality of design is worthy of being marvelled at. Living rooms have been purposed to allow seamless indoor and outdoor transitions, blurring the boundaries between inside and out and elevating your home to new heights.ChallengeWhen you are building in one of the premier locations in Norwest Sydney, it’s all about the ding to match the lifestyle your new residents demand from your new community.  Presented with tight detail, the look, the feel and the performance of your build time-lines, and expectations of high quality, Hydraseal were tasked with working on Rouse Gardens. Waterproofing both the internals and roof of the building, the builder demanded warranties to match the project requirements and to deliver a quality finish demanded of this high profile project.To streamline this project, availability of stock and ease of application were key product requirements needed from the project, which Tremco were tasked with delivering.Tremco SolutionVulkem H2 Plus, Vulkem NEM, Tremflex50, Vulkem 951Hydraseal partnered with Tremco for a few reasons, primarily trust built up through a longstanding relationship provided the support necessary for the key for the success in this project.The versatility of Vulkem NEM being able to be used for internal wet areas, in conjunction with Vulkem H2, as well as for outdoor areas under Vulkem 951 NF allowed for fast and consistent application of waterproofing on the project, given the tight time frames, all backed with long warranties to match product performance.The combination of Vulkem NEM, Vulkem 951 NF and Vulkem H2 provided the warranties demanded by the builder which resulted in both Builder, and Applicator very satisfied with the job. 

APPLICATION: Road CellPROJECT LOCATION: Chan Chan PeruPROJECT DETAILS: Protecting Walkways and Preventing erosionPROJECT COMPLETION: Sep 2016Chan Chan, the largest City of the pre-Columbian era in South America is now an archaeological site in La Libertad Region, 5 kilometres west of Trujillo Peru. Chan Chan is located in the mouth of the Moche Valley and was the capital of the historical empire of the Chimor from 900 to1470, when they were defeated and incorporated into the Inca Empire. The city Chan Chan spanned 20km2 and had a dense urban centre of 6 km2.The increasing popularity of the site forced the authorities to consider how to protect the walkways and to provide drainage, to remove rain water from the site to prevent erosion. The solution was to use the Atlantis® Road CellTM 53mm drainage cell. This installation made Chan Chan the second World Heritage site in all of Peru to have a highly technical system of protection of the original pavement installed and it covered almost the entire tourist circuit with the exception of the funeral zone.A layer of water proof membrane was laid down on the walkway and the the Atlantis® Road CellTM 53mm drainage cells were clipped together on the water proof membrane and filled with gravel. Thus providing protection for the walkway and also providing a drain for directing rain water away from the archaeological site to ameliorate erosion. Also it facilitated the access of visitors, especially those with disabilities, by providing a firm stable walk way.In all 1,700 m2 of the Atlantis® Road CellTM 53mm drainage cell were laid, and filled with gravel.

The word Folia in Greek means nest, and this is precisely what Folia apartments by Mirvac have delivered. Foliage adorns the many balconies, rooftop conservatory and kitchen garden, contributing greatly to the tranquil ambience which feels wholeheartedly organic. The residences are an inviting place to call home for their new occupants. Able to be seen from below are the prominent soffits on floors 5 and 6, lined with our aluminium Click-on Cladding in a strikingly realistic Blackbutt wood finish. The wood finish on the cladding appears abundantly realistic, cleverly achieving the look of real timber in both tone and texture. Our wood finish wrapping is produced in Japan using a state of the art system to ensure that there is no repetitive wood grain pattern present, helping it to achieve the aesthetic variation of real timber. It also features an embossed texture further replicating that of real timber along with the shadow lines which imitate traditional timber cladding.

SAS International designed and manufactured a range of solutions for the new 75,000 square metres Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport, Ireland. According to Dublin Airport the new second terminal will be capable of comfortably handling up to 15 million passengers per year. Specification demanded that durability, ease of maintenance and acoustics were considered. SAS International worked with architects Pascall + Watson to design the ceiling solution answering the architect’s brief to factor in ongoing maintenance conducted by Facilities Management teams in the future. The design of these large sized ceiling panels required careful consideration at design stage to ensure they would be manageable when working at a height. Designed and developed specifically for Dublin Airport was 35,000 square metres of ceiling systems, installed in the main departure area, walkways and baggage handling areas. This solution looks like any other suspended metal ceiling system as it provides an aesthetically pleasing flush finish. But where this product differs is its ingenious way of allowing access to the ceiling void and services for ongoing essential maintenance. This is of particular benefit in high traffic areas such as Dublin airport as it enables a corridor to remain in use rather than having to close off the entire route. SAS International manufactured the 20,000m2 of large aluminium frames for the fabric ceilings which creates a striking central feature. Working closely with SAS International were local installers Platt and Reilly who applied the stretched fabric to the frames on-site and hoisted them into position. Creating a comfortable environment for traveller and worker was helped with the use of acoustic floating rafts and perforated metal ceiling solutions (with integrated acoustic pads) to provide the necessary acoustic control for this project. Lighting was suspended neatly between the rafts to also provide a modern finish to the corridors. In addition Perimeter heating and air handling grilles also enhance the experience.

Snapper Creek Car Park was developed as an environmentally friendly permeable car park. As such the Atlantis® Turf CellTM and Atlantis® Gravel CellTM systems were chosen, to provide gravel driveways and grass parking areas, thus preventing compaction of the soil and to protect the grass and to stabilize the gravel and provide a permeable car park.The parking areas were divided into car only parking and car & trailer parking.The area, consisting of natural sandy material, was excavated to a depth of 300mm, and a tensar grid was placed into the excavation and the excavated material placed back on top of the tensar grid and compacted.A layer of 100mm of gravel was then place on the areas where the Atlantis® Gravel CellTM modules were to be used and the Atlantis® Gravel cellTM modules positioned thereon and filled with gravel.The Atlantis® Turf CellTM modules were installed and filled with soil and then the area was grass seeded; no turf was used. The project was completed in mid 2014 and was at that stage semi grassed and in use.The project required 4,300sq. m of Atlantis® 52mm drainage cell, which are 480mm x 260mm x 52mm panels and have a rigid interlocking clipping system and are made from recycled polypropylene.In August 2017, the operators of the car park, which is still operating, were contacted and they stated that they were extremely happy with the condition of the car park, even though it has heavy traffic as there is a boat ramp there, and some areas have been flooded by Snapper Creek.The Atlantis® Turf CellTM & Atlantis® Gravel CellTM systems are specifically suited for car parks, access roads, aircraft taxiways and helicopter landing pads as it has the following features:a high load bearing of approximately 4000t/sq. M;protects the root system from compaction, while allow for vigorous horizontal and vertical root growth;permits surface water absorption and infiltration; andhave a long use life.

Ivanhoe’s newest building is a landmark you can’t miss. The facade components of light bricks, dark cladding and luminous aluminium Click-on Battens perfectly complement each other, creating a contemporary finish. The interior also features our battens, which seamlessly connects to the exterior. The building comprises a three-level basement, ground floor retail outlets, two levels of offices and multiple fully appointed apartments among the two upper levels. The building is bordered on three sides by busy public roads which posed logistical challenges with its construction. However, the speed and ease of installing Click-on Battens alleviated this issue on the upper levels. The curved facade is wrapped in Sculptform aluminium Click-on Battens. They were installed upon standard and curved tracks which were delivered to site in a flexible state so that they’re able to be wrapped around the substrate and hug the exterior. Batten clips are factory fixed to the tracks at the spacing sequence that is specified. Helping to save time installing on-site. Battens are simply push-clicked onto mounting tracks that are positioned behind the battens in a concealed manner.

APPLICATION: 52mm Turf CellPROJECT LOCATION: North Ryde NSWPROJECT DETAILS: Macquarie University Permeable Overflow Car ParkPROJECT COMPLETION: March 2017Established in 1964, Macquarie University began as a bold experiment in higher education. Built to break from traditions: to be distinctive, progressive, and to be transformational. Today its pioneering history continues to be a source of inspiration as they celebrate their place among the best and brightest minds.When Macquarie University’s existing cark park became too small for the amount of cars now using it, it was decided to construct an overflow car park. However, not just any car park, but in keeping with their innovative thinking, an environmentally friendly permeable car park. Of course the Atlantis® Turf CellTM system was chosen, so that turf covered parking spaces could be provided.The project required 9,843sq. m of Atlantis® Turf CellTM system, which is constructed from 480mm x 260mm x 52mm panels and has a rigid interlocking clipping system and is made from high quality recycled polypropylene. The project was undertaken by J & G Excavations and Asphalting (NSW) Pty Ltd.The Turf CellTM cells were laid on a bed of permeable soil, and filled with sandy soil and turf was then placed on top of the linked Atlantis® Turf CellTM cells and rolled with a heavy roller to press the roots into the soil in the cells, where they were protected from compaction and could grow freely both horizontally and vertically.The Turf CellTM system is another Atlantis invention, and is specifically suited for car parks, access roads, aircraft taxiways and helicopter landing pads as it has the following features:a high load bearing of approximately 4000t/sq. M;protects the root system of grass from compaction, while allow for vigorous horizontal and vertical root growth;permits surface water absorption and infiltration;has a long use life; andaesthetically, the system allows the grass to fill in completely, creating a lush lawn with an invisible reinforcement structure.

The first stage of a two hectare urban regeneration development in Docklands opened in 2018 and introduced the city of Melbourne’s first elevated public park. Floating 10 metres above open public space, a spectacular Tongue & Groove Cladding Soffit overhangs 90 metres, providing natural warmth and texture and remaining consistent with the design of the project. Installed by our partner installer Casello, the project is an example of how our expert installers can complete a project on time and on budget. Green space in the CBD Biophilic design principles were a key to the design of One Melbourne Quarter, bringing the warmth and beauty of natural materials to the workplace. The most prominent inclusion is the spectacular Skypark, located directly above the entrance of the building, on the second floor. The Skypark is a perfect ‘suspended oasis’, bringing the uniquely relaxing aspects of a local park to the inner city. A statement through a soffit With the Skypark suspended above street level, the underside presented a perfect opportunity for the architects Denton Corker Marshall to create a unique feature which was consistent with the design ambitions of the project. Behind the look Sculptform Tongue & Groove Cladding provided a beautiful natural aesthetic in spotted gum. The combination of visual features and colour variation contrasts the greys of the Melbourne CBD and contributes to the overall identity of the project. PEFC certified timber was required to meet Green Star Rating, which was then sourced by Sculptform.

The Berkeley Hotel is a luxurious and iconic hotel, housed in the fashionable district of Knightsbridge, London. When renovations were required, Roger Stirk Harbour & Partners designed a glass façade entrance to the hotel. Boon Edam Ltd was consulted to provide a stylish entry solution to complement the updated lobby entrance and reflect the luxurious image of the Berkeley Hotel brand. Business Challenges The hotel entrance required a renovation which would give guests an instant welcome upon arrival, whilst also providing a practical function to meet access needs. For a hotel as prestigious as The Berkeley, first impressions are hugely important. The entrance and welcome given by a hotel provides the guest with an indication of what to expect from their stay, so therefore the entry solution was a key consideration within the renovation project. With a constant flow of visitors in and out of the lobby, the entrance door is vital in maintaining a comfortable climate and pleasant atmosphere for guests. As sliding or swinging doors bring in cold draughts, the specification called for a revolving door to keep out wind, noise and dust. The project architect specified that the door was to be fully automatic and made entirely of glass to match the newly renovated lobby. However, for a door to be fully automatic, there must be several sensors and buffers which would have impacted the all-glass aesthetic of the entrance. Boon Edam was appointed to provide a tailored solution which could meet all the specific functional requirements, without needing to compromise on the luxurious style and quality desired. The Boon Edam Solution A Custom Designed Crystal Tourniket Due to the high-end nature of The Berkeley Hotel, attention to detail was paramount. Multiple meetings were held with the architect to ensure that Boon Edam’s team of experts could fully capture all requirements to provide the perfect, bespoke solution. Boon Edam’s Crystal Tourniket door was selected for the entrance of The Berkley Hotel; one of the most impressive and eye-catching revolving doors available. A Crystal Tourniket is constructed almost entirely from glass, with added stainless steel accents to support the solidity of the door. The End Result The Berkeley Hotel is now home to a grand lobby entrance provided by Boon Edam, which utilises natural wood in the drum wall of the Crystal Tourniket revolving door to provide guests with a warm and elegant welcome. In combination with the all-glass door set and modern lighting, the bespoke solution truly reflects the prestigious Berkley Hotel brand.

To protect the priceless infrastructure and mission-critical IT information in Australia’s first custom built, high-tech data centre, Polaris, Project Manager Thiess turned to the leading manufacturer of specialist building products, Construction Specialties.Integral to the $121 million construction was the regulation of airflow to safeguard the computer hardware; Construction Specialties’ customised performance louvres were the only product in Australia able to meet this construction challenge.Boasting 14,000m2 of floor space on 5 storeys with 7000m2 of raised floor over three data centre levels, the project, based in Springfield, Queensland, is the largest of its kind in Australia and will be Queensland’s only Tier 3+ data collection point.So important were the Construction Specialties performance louvres to the development, much of the building design was driven by the positioning, material specifications and design of the louvres.Lawrence Issa, Project Manager for Construction Specialties, and project partners Darryl Wright and Steve Emery of Project Sales worked closely with the Polaris construction team from project inception to completion to devise the most effective weatherproofing and airflow option for the building which also matched the intended aesthetic.“In-depth collaboration with the Polaris team led to the selection of our Architectural Line Louvres, of which two types were used – our RS7305a and LSM louvre models,” Lawrence said. “Unlike other louvres on the market, this range prevents up to 99% water penetration and maximises airflow, while also complementing the building facade as the horizontal louvre frames selected are hidden from view.“Our performance louvres cover 345m2 of the exterior building and are specifically customised in terms of size, shape and colour for the data centre,” Lawrence said.Miguel Thievent, Senior Project Engineer at Thiess, remarks that the CS Louvres perform to the highest standard, which was essential in meeting the building specifications.“It was vital we didn’t compromise on weather proofing and airflow,” Miguel said. “For example, we have six generators integral to maintaining the whole IT system in case of power failure which would not run if the airflow was affected or they were damaged by rain.“The Construction Specialties performance louvres were the only ones on the market that could guarantee damage would not occur as a result of bad weather conditions,” Miguel said.Construction Specialties’ performance louvres are at the leading edge of louvre design and are tested under real world conditions to meet the maximum standards demanded.Construction Specialties offers a broad selection of louvres under 3 main categories:Storm Resistant/Performance Louvres – The main objective of Performance Louvres is to allow the passage of air, whilst providing the area beyond the room with protection from rain penetration.Standard Louvres – A standard louvre will provide the maxiumum airflow required, but with minimal rain defence.Screening Louvres – Screening louvres, are low cost solutions that hide plant or other equipment from view.CS Louvre systems are available in a comprehensive range of finishes and colours, ensuring there is a Construction Specialties Louvre system to suit most aesthetic and performance needs.Louvre panels are factory assembled in a controlled and quality assured environment and provided to site in a fully finished modular form; thus, allowing for trouble-free and fast installation.A comprehensive range of accessories including insect/bird mesh and blanking panels in various materials and finishes is available to complete the application.