"research and development"

With a demand for leading scientific research facilities growing year upon year, the South Australian Government commissioned the development of the South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). Since the project commenced in 2010, Rondo has supplied our KEY-LOCK Suspended Ceiling System, Steel Stud and Track, DUO Exposed Grid Ceiling System, PANTHER Access Panels, Shaftwall and Walk-About Trafficable Ceiling System.

Protective epoxy flooring in a warehouse and research lab.

he developments $247.3m price tag makes it marginally more expensive than the $246m Adelaide University building next door. HIB will house the Centre for Cancer Biology and UniSA’s pharmacy school, with 450 researchers between them. Rondo’s involvement included providing ceiling and wall systems using our Shaftwall One-Way Erected System, KEY-LOCK Concealed Ceiling System and PANTHER Access Panels to create the desired effect.

Award-winning design for this major new tourism facility in Cairns, North Queensland

The Farr Institute in Edinburgh is a collaboration between six Scottish Universities and the NHS National Services Scotland. They aim to place the country as a global leader in health informatics research whilst improving the health of the Scottish population. 30,000 sq. ft. has been fitted out to accommodate Bio Incubator laboratories and offices together with meeting, conference and dining facilities. The remainder of the building will accommodate laboratories and offices for life science research. SAS International’s acoustic baffles were specified to meet acoustic demand and make the most of the high ceilings and breathable space. The colours, baffle layout and service integration were carefully co-ordinated to the brief. SAS130 and SAS330 were specified and installed in the central core. Both systems offer quick and easy access to otherwise hidden mechanical and electrical systems. With SAS130, tiles can be lifted out to gain access to the ceiling void. SAS330’s hinge notch allows tiles to be hung vertically from C-Profiles, providing unobstructed access to the ceiling void. Ray Kwiecinski at Michael Laird Architects gave the below quote on working with SAS International; “MLA has specified a variety of SAS International’s lay-in grid ceiling systems over the years and we have always been extremely satisfied with the finished product. At the Farr Institute however, we decided to create a feature of the structural soffits and the M&E services and, by careful coordination of these services, the steel beams… [With] the SAS Baffle System and SAS Raft System 600, we were able to create an open, collaborative and exciting office environment whilst maintaining a high degree of sound absorbency. Our Client is delighted with the results as are we.” The Institute’s independent research will support innovation in the public sector, leading to advances in preventative medicine, improvements in NHS care and better development of commercial drugs and diagnostics.

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.

Builder: Aramco Contractor: DEPA, Drake and Scull Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Project Value: $2.5 million

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

About the ProjectThis Child Health and Learning facility in Manly, deliversspecialist child healthcare for up to 15,000 families a yearfrom rural, regional and remote New South Wales andbeyond.The new facility will integrate a state-of-the-art child schooland health service that will accommodate regional childrenand families nationwide.This six storey building includes school classrooms,consultant and observation rooms, a paediatric oral healthunit with a dental and orthodontics room, ophthalmology,occupational therapy, sensory rooms and a telecare centre.ChallengeOver 80% of construction litigation and defect claims are a result of water ingress, of that 80%, almost 30% of those are below grade issues. (City Futures Research Centre UNSW).The two biggest waterproofing challenges for this build were:1) Below Grade - Non structural Blinding Slab, 4 metres below sea level and less then 50 metres from Manly Beach. This build had decanters pumping over 1.3 million litres of water per day awayfrom the site during the construction phase.2) The creation of a waterproofing solution which would not fail if the membrane was penetrated, be it in the pre or post construction phase.Due to the proximity to the beach and the build having a raft slab in the basement, a standard cookie cutter below-grade waterproofing solution was not an option for this build.Tremco SolutionTremco were asked to provide a solution for this complex build. The biggest and most demanding waterproofing areas within the build that needed attention were:1) Below Grade - 50 metres from the ocean and 4 metres below sea level, we needed a reliable waterproofing solution, that would also be robust enough to withstand any punishment tradesdelivered post installation, we recommended and used Paraseal SW (Saltwater). Paraseal SW is a multi-layer sheet membrane waterproofing system consisting of a self-sealing, expandable layer of bentonite laminated to an impermeable, high density polyethylene (HDPE).2) iAuditor reporting- iAuditor is an onsite quality assurance program Tremco conduct for the builder and applicator to ensure our products are being installed correctly and to specification. This gives the builder the confidence that there will be no waterproofing defects within the build.Overall, both the builder and developer were happy with the end result, which provided the warranty and quality required of such a development.

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is located in the heart of Sydney. In February 2015 the Faculty of Science and Graduate School of Health Building opened its door to its first cohort of students. Built as a 5 Star Green Star building, it provides a range of spaces for collaborative learning and research. SAS150 was specified across the new state of the art research labs and SAS205 for the corridors of the University.

When entering the new Segerstedthuset building at the Uppsala University in Sweden – guests, students and employees alike are cheerfully greeted by a colourful revolving door. This unique door is an art installation by renowned American artist Spencer Finch and is aptly named ‘The Colour Wheel’. The artist is best known for installations that visualise his experience of the nature of light, colour, memory. The Uppsala University is the oldest university research university in the Nordic area and this large facility is located in Uppsala, Sweden - educating 45000 students. The new Segerstedthuset building, designed by 3XN is a multi-purpose extension to the university and was conceptualised and constructed as a modern workplace for researchers, university administration and management. Boon Edam Sweden was approached to supply Spencer Finch with two Tourniket revolving doors. The doors measure a diameter of 3000 mm and a total height of 2400 mm and the 6 glass door panels provide the canvas for the light installation artist to work his magic on. Colour film is fitted between the glass which creates a truly remarkable and memorable entry experience into this urban, communal space. The Segerstedthuset building was built as a sustainable building and proved to meet high environmental standards such as efficient energy use, sound material choices and a silent indoor environment. The building is environmentally certified according to the Sweden Green Building Council at the silver level.

European telecommunications operator, Tele2 were moving into new offices in Kista Science City - Stockholm as their headquarters. It had been decided that they were going in an Activity - Based Workplace direction, featuring large, open work areas where people could move freely throughout most of the building. From a security perspective, this work concept came with a few challenges. The Business Challenge Tele2 were moving into a new building with an “Open Office” design. The challenge was to create a transparent, inviting atmosphere while still maintaining a high level of security. Furthermore, an emergency exit was also required through the gates. Together with Tele2 and BAU architects, Boon Edam started sketching and researching, to find the perfect solution for the main entrance to the building. The original plan to make the building as open as possible, changed slightly to accommodate important security needs, both around the entrance and throughout the whole building itself.

Rondo has supplied the external framing system for EIFS façade system in the Al Zeina development. Al Zeina is the strategic gateway to the new Al Raha Beach Development where the natural beauty of Abu Dhabi is captured by the creation of a collection of formal Arabic gardens, courts and plazas in the tradition of gardens of the world.

St George Community Housing required a modern flooring solution that not only fit the unit style but also ticked all the boxes for building compliance. Angus Nguyen, Development Manager at St George Community Housing explains how they came to the decision to use Korlok by Karndean Designflooring, a rigid core product for this development.

Coined as the newest urban development in North Perth, this boutique 5-storey apartment, Rose on Angove designed by Architects Bollig Design is a little gem.Situated on the corner of Angove and Fitzgerald Streets in the prominent and renowned coffee and café strip of Angove Street, the $15 million development consists of 39 one and two-bedroom apartments.

Craigieburn Central ­­­­is a highly anticipated development providing residents of the area one of Australia’s freshest retail experiences. Through weekly site inspections and design assistance, Rondo will support the project and in particular builder Lend Lease and contractor Expoconti to achieve their ultimate goal of developing a unique and accessible shopping district for Craigieburn residents.