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In museums, glass displays protect valuable artefacts from damage or distress, whilst presenting them in the best possible light. Sometimes the glass itself can act as an obstruction to the view. Unwanted glare, reflections or reduced lighting levels can obstruct visitors’ views through the glass, preventing precious works of art from being seen clearly and in their original colour and detail.

The Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne, Australia, is an amazing piece of engineering and architecture. With its stunning gridshell glass roof, the extended building is now the largest enclosed shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere.

With completion of the restoration, the building is a leader in terms of energy efficiency and environmental profile and has received the prestigious LEED Platinum certification. Guardian Glass high performance glass products for the façade contributed directly to achieving this LEED certification.

The six-storey car dealership opens up to the south and city streets with a fully glazed façade construction. In the evening the building reveals itself as a glass shelf. Inside the showroom, the floors are connected to each other by air spaces, creating a mix of visual relationships.

Didier Repellin, from the architectural firm RL & Associés, oversaw the project. As honorary Chief Architect of Historical Monuments and a member of the French Heritage Society (among other titles), he was the perfect choice for the renovation of the buildings and the grounds. His vision was to make use of the history of the city to embellish the ancient buildings and has done so by respecting the history of the Hôtel-Dieu while giving back the grounds to the inhabitants of Lyon.

How does it work?ECOPact uses alternative materials to reduce the environmental footprint of the concrete mix.ECOPact alone reduces embodied carbon emissions by 30-60% without the use of offsetsSimilar technical qualities of conventional concreteECOPact zero goes one step further buy offsetting the residual emissions of ECOPact concrete to achieve 100 emissions reduction.The issueThe built environment is responsible for 39% of global energy-related emissions. Over a quarter of these emissions arise from running existing buildings, whilst 11% is attributable to the embodied emissions from the construction of new buildings. Did you know – concrete is the most widely used building material in the world? The production of concrete is highly energy intensive and generates significant emissions.Business GrowthAs we continue to grow and expand our store footprint nationally, in 2022 we are building a new home for Universal Store. Our objective is to accelerate our journey to a sustainable future, so we have made it a priority to integrate environmentally sustainable features in the design of this exciting new project. This also entails considering the climate impacts of this project. EcoPact - Zero ConcreteWe will need tons of concrete and other materials for the structure of our new Universal Store home. But the good news is that some pioneers are investing in research and development to deliver carbon neutral concrete.We are working closely with our construction partners - developer TradeCoast Central, and builder McNab to deliver a sustainable building. The Universal Store new purpose-built facility will make use of carbon neutral concrete supplied locally by Holcim. Their EcoPact concrete can be made carbon neutral by compensating for residual carbon emissions. In fact this product is so much better for the planet, it has just won the Best of the Best 2021 Sustainability Awards from Architecture and Design.We chose this product to achieve the following benefits:·Conserve natural resources - the product uses alternative materials (fly ash, blast furnace slag or silica fume) instead of virgin raw materials (mainly limestone and silica). ·Reduce the carbon footprint of the project - this product achieves a reduction of 30-100% of embodied emissions related to concrete usage in comparison to standard concrete. ·Use our influence and leadership to support the transition to a low carbon economy·Demonstrate that a sustainable future is within reach.

To maintain the property’sfirm environmental focus, the project team specified Holcim’sflagship product – ECOPact Zero concrete.

In collaboration with market leading Astina Group, GH Commercial brought to life luxury design visions with a series of custom flooring solutions.Products:Custom Designer Jet® carpet, 17oz sheetApollo Hardwood Hybrid Flooring, colour 555 Spotted Gum NaturalSpinifex 100% broadloom carpet, colour 91 Sand Storm Custom hand-crafted rugsBuilder: Astina GroupInstaller: Homecare SydneyPhotography: Sebastian Mrugalski Photography

This modern townhouse development in West Essendon has given ZINTL the opportunity to truly show its style and contemporary design. Chosen as a statement to the façade at this modern development, the popular Standing Seam 190 profile was powder coated in Dulux Charcoal Satin Finish. A vertical installation adds to the leading-edge architectural style captured within this project.

Located in the Amsterdam Southeast district, the ING Pavilion is an inspiring and stimulating meeting place for employees on the campus, as well as local residents, students, visitors and entrepreneurs. Positioned at the centre of the ING campus, it’s also a high quality dining option and a multi-functional space for the whole community.

The unique spiral design of the tower is a remarkable architectural accomplishment, with an overall twist of 156 degrees clockwise – one of the most extreme twists in any architectural project. Each of the tower’s 52 floors is rotated through 3 degrees, leading to its twisted corkscrew shape.

Acrovyn by Design® from Construction Specialties, was specifically chosen for the new Veterinary Specialist Services (VSS) Hospital in Jindalee, Brisbane, Queensland. The overall objective of the project was to create a bright and welcoming space, as well as an extremely hygienic care environment for the veterinary doctors and staff, the patients (pets) and their owners.The combination of both functionality and design flexibility available with Acrovyn by Design® has allowed the creative “cute pet theme” to be installed behind the wash basins as splash-backs. The images used include a collection of cute animals such as kittens and puppies, which could very easily be executed with the design flexibility and functionality of Acrovyn by Design® wall panel sheets.Veterinary hospitals and lobbies are high traffic environments with a significant amount of equipment, including trolleys and stretchers that can scrape or bump against walls. In addition, they have strict cleaning requirements for high hygiene standards that often requires the use of harsh chemicals, such as bleach, to disinfect hard surfaces.The client’s mission statement is to “provide the best possible care”. To this end, they have 4 different locations around Queensland all operating a 24-hour referral and emergency animal hospital. All facilities have state-of-the-art equipment with experienced and helpful staff. The first of the four hospitals opened to the public in 2000.Acrovyn by Design® has a proven reputation as the preferred choice with many major hospital projects across Australia, including The Royal Hobart Hospital, The Memorial Hospital Adelaide, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Adelaide’s Calvary Hospital to name a few. It is wonderful to see that the unique qualities of Acrovyn by Design® are now being recognized as suitable for use in the care of our much-loved pets undergoing veterinary care as well.Did you know that the number of Australians who are adopting or fostering pets since the COVID-19 restrictions were introduced has exploded? According to the RSPCA, many people are now adopting pets because they feel that they finally have the time to settle a new animal into their home. It is also believed that home isolation has increased the desire among many single people for a companion. The RSPCA has reported a 45% increase in dog adoptions and a 20% increase in cat adoptions since COVID19 began.Consider Acrovyn by Design® for your next project; for design flexibility, impact resistance and easy to clean maintenance in veterinary hospital environments. In addition, Acrovyn by Design® allows for fast installation when faced with tight project schedules in 24/7, critical care operating workplaces.

45 Clarence St, is a striking office tower located in the busy western corridor of Sydney’s commercial district, with extensive views of Darling Harbour and Barangaroo, it is a prestigious building with various companies operating inside this office building, such as Business Sydney and CBRE.As part of the refurbishment, which included the lobby upgrade, CS worked extensively with the property management team, architect, builder, and installer to deliver the architectural grilles for this project. There was a unique vision to use the Econoline indoors in a commercial building instead of using it as an outdoor vision barrier grille. The focus of this refurbishment was to provide a bespoke architectural grille to line the ceiling and vertical walls of the lobby and modernise the building.The Econoline is typically used in locations such as parking garages, concealing mechanical equipment and for many refacing applications. Having the Econoline installed in a commercial building is a unique opportunity that will result in more products being used for aesthetic purposes. The challenge that was faced with the Econoline being used indoors was that the tapered vertical walls on two sides as grilles needed to be a certain distance above ground level and to be structurally sound.On completion, the lobby at 45 Clarence St Sydney is unique from your typical office building. This is also exciting for CS, to be part of a project that has been transformative and elegant in design.

Wellington Airport previously used warm hand dryers and paper towels. Their motivations for changing hand drying method were to find a more environmentally sustainable form of hand drying, also wanting to avoid the slip hazard that can result from water on the floor. Project Architect, Katherine Skipper explains "The Dyson Airblade Wash+Dry provided the perfect solution for the problems they were having with water on the floor and constant restocking of paper towels."

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.

The Paper Mill is located on the Georges River in Liverpool NSW and features 2,800m2 of Vitracore G2 in Zinc Light and Zinc Dark. Builder: MN Builders, Architect: Woods Bagot

The Perth Optus Stadium is a world-class sporting venue located within WA, Stryum, Australian-made, non-combustible façade system, was chosen to provide a unique and customised finish to the 60,000 seat Perth Stadium development. The stadium features over 16,000m2 of Stryum in 6 different anodized colours. Builder: Brookfield Multiplex, Architect: WESTADIUM

QLD Nero Apartments Project News

Acrovyn by Design from Construction Specialties, was chosen for the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Victoria. The overall objective of the main entrance redevelopment was to transform a dark, chaotic space with low ceilings and multiple reception points into a light and welcoming entry; facilitating the daily movements of patients, visitors, volunteers and staff efficiently by providing clear way-finding.

The 5-star Hyatt Regency Sydney on the fringe of Darling Habour, formerly Four Points by Sheraton, underwent a vast redevelopment which included refurbishment of the hotel and construction of a new convention space and 25 level tower. Adorning the recognisable covered facade is Equitone Tectiva, a through-coloured fibre cement cladding, which was installed by Stane Industries. Architect: Cox Architecture

LOCATIONRandwick, New South WalesCOLLABORATIONDeveloper: CBUS PropertyArchitect: Bates Smart and Smart Design StudioBuilder: GanellenApplicator: Master CoatingBRIEFPreserve and protect concrete elements of Figtree Pocket apartments and Newmarket Residences.MATERIAL & APPLICATIONECOCLEAN Porosity CoatingECOCLEAN Self-Cleaning CoatingOUTCOMEOur invisible eco-friendly coatings will seal and protect the high-end concrete from water ingress and atmospheric carbonation. The coating will also provide self-cleaning properties via photocatalysis which utilises daylight, rain and moisture to self-clean external surfaces.

Fairview supplied builder Stokes Wheeler with Vitracore G2 for the Jaguar Land Rover 3-storey showroom at Southport, QLD. The high-end development required a premium finish in Jaguar Land Rover’s corporate colours and Vitracore G2 was selected as the preferred façade solution due to fire compliance.

The inspiring Kubix Apartments development features an impressive 16,500 m2 of Vitracore G2 - the leading deemed-to-satisfy non-combustible, aluminum composite cladding - in a myriad of colours over the geometric façade. Builder: Crema Constructions, Architect: CBG Architects.

Northpoint Tower, centrally located in North Sydney CBD has been overhauled, with the redevelopment project including a newly-constructed hotel and a complete reclad of the façade using Vitracore G2.The use of Vitracore G2 in this reclad project has ensured a deemed non-combustible, durable and modern appearance to the development. Installer: ABS Facade.

Sitting proudly at the junction of the M4 and M7 motorways in Sydney's Greater West is Calibre Eastern Creek Building 3. An architecturally designed warehouse and two-storey office space which incorporates 990 m2 of Vitradual on the attractive facade of the development. Builder: Vaughan Constructions, Architect: SBA Architects.

CollaborationSupply Client: JG VerticalArchitect: SJBDeveloper/Builder: Coronation PropertyMaterial & ApplicationSupply of ECOTONE Minsil to JG Vertical to apply via rope access.OutcomeJG Vertical accessed their way down the building on rope applying our long-life colour finish in ECOTONE Minsil. Their application has brought about a Colour Matching solution to the unsightly concrete providing a blemish free fair faced concrete look.TestimonialECOTONE is proud to have supplied our concrete stains for this exciting development in Liverpool. The finish looks stunning. A great outcome for JG Vertical.Tony Watling, ECOTONE CEO

Meriton is a long standing client of Evergreen Walls and we are their trusted provider of any artificial greenery needs that arise. In this particular fitout we installed a green wall as a feature piece in Meriton's Pagewood Green lobby with mirrors and timber panels atop the foliage in an impressive sprawling pattern.

CollaborationArchitects: Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW) and the Government Architect’s Office.Builder: Built.Material & ApplicationFunctional Coatings were applied to precast concrete elements to protect the memorial from carbonation in addition to giving the surface self-cleaning and air-purification propertiesOutcomeA stunningly sustainable multi-award winning project that includes the prestigious Sulman Medal. Our team is so proud to have played a part in the preservation of one of Sydney’s most iconic monuments, a symbol of our history and our future.TestimonialThe Anzac Centenary Project not only realises the vision from our past, it will continue to remind future generations of the contributions made by our servicemen and women.The Right Hon. Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney

COLLABORATIONArchitect: EJE ArchitectsBuilder: Core Project GroupBRIEFDevelop the best coating system to maintain the surface appearance of the restored heritage-listed Kingsley building to align with its vision of being a true luxury hotel.MATERIAL & APPLICATIONECOCLEAN Porosity SealerECOCLEAN Self-Cleaning CoatingOUTCOMEThe ECOCLEAN coating system uses self-cleaning technology to preserve the concrete appearance of the Kingsley – the first luxury hotel in Newcastle.Winner of two Asia-Pacific Hotel of the Year awards, the Kingsley is a remarkable example of what photocatalyst coatings can do to preserve the appearance of heritage-listed buildings while reducing maintenance budgets.Images courtesy of Crystalbrook Kingsley

COLLABORATIONArchitect: ThomsonAdsett in collaboration with nettletontribeBuilder: L.U.SimonDeveloper: Deakin UniversityBRIEFThe Waterfront campus for Deakin University at Geelong celebrates the “individual” student through the prominent white precast concrete. The client on this project wanted to ensure that over time the white concrete stayed pristine – looking as good as new – without expensive cleaning and maintenance costs.MATERIAL & APPLICATIONECOCLEAN Porosity SealerECOCLEAN Self-Cleaning CoatingOUTCOMEOur ECOCLEAN Self-Cleaning system has been applied to the concrete to preserve the appearance of this building’s prominent facade. This significantly reduces cleaning and maintenance costs making this a cost-effective and net positive environmental solution.

Collaboration Architect: Fjmt StudioBuilder: Icon CoPrecaster: Advance PrecastDeveloper: Golden Age Group and HannasMaterial & ApplicationECOTONE Minsil applied in Cold Light as specified by the architect to the external precast concrete elements.OutcomeThe Harrington Collection design was inspired by the history of The Rocks and Sydney’s splendid harbour. ECOTONE was able to work closely and in collaboration with our clients to produce a truly special Colour by Design for this project.TestimonyWe are excited to bring such a rare opportunity to such an iconic location, and have ensured every detail is carefully considered to reflect our commitment. These residences are designed to be the perfect blend of modernity and heritage to celebrate the complexity and beauty of The Rocks and the existing cityscape.Jeff Xu, Golden Age Group

The Forensic Pathology & Coroner's Court is located in Lidcombe NSW. Fairview's deemed-to-satisfy non-combustible Vitracore G2 panels were chosen to achieve the unique exterior as designed by Silver Thomas Hanley and Cox Architecture, The design features vertical fins with pyramid details in five complementary finishes - Fresh Green, Pure White, Cool Grey from Fairview standard range and custom colours. Bechett and Irish Moore. Builder: Watpac NSW, Architect: Silver Thomas Hanley & Cox Architecture.

Fairview’s Vitracore G2 was used in the development of Sydney's King Street Warf Ibis Hotel in order to provide optimum resistance to weather and industrial pollutants, whilst aiding in the presentation of an innovative dining and entertainment precinct.

Collaboration Architect: PB&A ArchitectsBuilder: Ganellen ConstructionPrecaster: ConcretecDeveloper: Young & PartnersMaterial & ApplicationWe created and applied various tones of ECOTONE Matt and ECOTONE Sharp to grey brick moulded precast concrete to replicate natural brickwork. Application completed within the Concretec precast yard with final finishing onsiteOutcomeAll ECOTONE colours were customised in consultation with the client to deliver a realistic aesthetic in line with the architect’s vision.TestimonialThanks for the really great job your team have done on the project. It looks bloody fantastic.The detail and effort you have put into the brick authenticity really lifts the entire project above where even we had hoped it would be. We are extremely pleased with the result, and I hope we get to work again on a future projectPeter Allison, PB&A Architects

Collaboration Architect: ArchidiomBuilder: McNab ConstructionsDeveloper: BluePoint PropertyMaterial & ApplicationConcrete stain applied to unsightly concreteOutcomeThe owner of the building and builder were impressed with the result and widened the scope to include the soffits and feature foyer moulded concrete wall.TestimonialUpon dropping our Scaffold on a 10 Storey residential project with a Precast façade spanning 8 Storeys, we were left with an incredibly unaesthetically pleasing finish resulting from sealing applications.We reached out to all our contacts including our competitors who all suggested our only solution was to all Wayne at ECOTONE. From the first phone call to the initial site visit we were immediately satisfied that we were in the hands of a true expert in which could rectify all our issues.Wayne detailed how the product was applied, provided multiple samples for the client to choose from and in which once approved, we were off. After completing the initial precast façade rectification, our client and internal team were blown away by the workmanship, speed and appeal of the application. After seeing what the team was capable of, we engaged ECOTONE to complete multiple other areas of the building, which have now have become the talking point for each site visit.We cannot thank Wayne & Jayden enough as without them, our building would not have the appeal it does today, thank you boys! Cannot wait for the next project!Anthony Yared, Contract Administrator- McNab

Material & ApplicationECOTONE masonry stains applied to brickworkOutcomeThe owner completed some renovations which an extension on their home. Our ECOTONE team were contracted to colour the new brickwork to match with the existing bricks and provided an excellent finish.TestimonialI have just completed a huge extension to my home and struggled finding the exact brick to match.Fortunately, I was given Wayne Duncan's (ECOTONE) number and he set my mind at ease by saying "it will not be a problem as he will come and colour match to our house brick". I couldn't believe this was possible. I couldn’t find the actual brick colour of our home anywhere in this country. Collecting bricks with the shape, size and texture was my goal but they were every colour you could think of, people thought I was mad. I was just amazed at how Wayne and his team worked and created a masterpiece, they have done the most outstanding job but were professional, fast and worked together as a team and made this experience the most pleasurable of the build. People and tradespersons that have seen the before and after are just blown away as you cannot tell the difference. I would highly recommend ECOTONE (Wayne and his team) to anyone. THANK YOU!!!!!! J. Knight - home owner