NOWarchitecture, a multi-award winning architectural practice with specialist expertise in environmentally sustainable design, have once again specified the amazing Bionictile® on one of their iconic projects.

The walls of the new Research Centre and Chapel at the Ringwood campus of Yarra Valley Grammar School have been clad in numerous exciting materials. The use of 450m2 of Bionic Tile on this build will help reduce Nitrous Oxide (NOx) from the atmosphere, and with its self-cleaning properties, will require no further maintenance.

The Bionic Tile destroys harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced by combustion from cars and industry by converting them into harmless water-soluble nitrogen compounds. Bionic Tile also reduces the presence of HNO3 (cause of acid rain) by up to 70%.

The off-white tiles are accentuated using an off-set pattern of overlapping tiles. Shadows are cast adding life and dimension to the façade. This was achieved by NOWarchitecture designing a single stainless steel stoneclip which also forms a ventilated system for improved thermal performance. Windows protrude at odd angles, as if to be punched out from the interior of the building, complimenting the overall aesthetic.

Team

Architect – NOWarchitecture
Builder – Becon Constructions
Installation Contractor – Etched Industries

Creating a beautiful, contemporary space using durable, Non-Slip Outdoor Porcelain Tiles

The subtle, elegant look of ‘White Travertine’ Non-Slip Porcelain Tiles has transformed a tired 1980’s garden. The space is now contemporary and appears far more spacious, with a consistent even surface that is easy to negotiate. It is a stark contrast to the pre-existing variable, brick and sandstone surface that made the area look closed and oppressive.

The owners chose ‘White Travertine’ 600 x 600 x 20mm non-slip Porcelain tiles for their beauty, durability and low maintenance. No sealing is required, as the porcelain is non-porous and easy to care for.

Providing a fresh seamless look throughout the garden, the existing sandstone and brick surface was and replaced with ‘White Travertine’ porcelain 600 x 600 x 20mm. To complete the union, the existing red brick wall headers were concealed using ‘White Travertine’ porcelain drop down capping stones, achieving a sympathetic relationship to the new floor tiles.
A strong pergola adds a final touch, anchoring the project to the dwelling, where year-round alfresco dining can be enjoyed during the day or night.

Team

Project manager – Simon Healy of Boss Properties
Landscape Contractor – Geo Landscapes

Before

After

The completion of the latest stage of ‘Melbourne Square Development’ was immensely successful as Delta Group rose to the challenge during Covid that restricted the number of workers on the site.

Approximately 800m2 of Bluestone Paving and Decking were installed on Versijack paver and deck supports up to heights of 500mm.

The VersiJack paver & deck support system is an advanced generation of pedestals, engineered in Australia to provide a versatile, sustainable solution to support raised pavers and decking. It improves heat and sound insulation, facilitates rapid surface drainage and creates an easily accessible chamber to conceal mechanical and electrical services. The pedestals are easy to use across its extensive height range allowing for an efficient and cost-effective solution.

Sub-Contractor: Image Stone Construction

Parc Apartments is the product conceived & delivered by RK Developments.

Set in the centre of Melbourne’s most prestigious suburbs, this development is no stranger to luxurious finishes. A bold contemporary material palette, arranged in stunning linear geometry, sits perfectly in a lush landscaped environment.

KHD’s 1200 x 600 x 20mm Maroni porcelain tiles were selected for the cladding for this project.  Durability, colour and a slight textured surface were the critical elements required to achieve the design intent.

The tiles subtle texture diffuses light, not reflecting, blinding the passer-by, allowing the large walls to be comfortable to view in direct sunlight.

Weighing in at 34Kg each, the porcelain tiles required a proven fixing method to ensure compliance and longevity. The 8mm Adjustable Stoneclip was the chosen mechanical fixing method, as each clip can carry 26Kg with a 30mm cavity. Requiring two stoneclips per tile and only one fixing pin per clip, the ease & speed of installation is revealed. This is the most economical mechanical fixing system to install large stone cladding.

We love the result of this fine development and the feedback from the new occupants confirm that Rennie & his company deliver a quality product.

With all the problems associated with flammable cladding materials, sometimes traditional methods are the best.

BBP Architects have designed this apartment development with bricks & sandstone. Impervious to fire, solid in its presence and a beautiful colour. The sandstone on the second story of this structure catches the light and eminates beautiful golden tones complimenting the red brick below.

Liberty Builders’ selection of KHD Grampian Sands sandstone was made for its ease of installation, colour variation and cost effectiveness, and was installed by Tiling Expert.

A direct glue installation process was elected over mechanical fixing due to the 600 x 300 x 12mm tiles weighing less than 5 Kg each.

Stone cladding is an excellent natural insulator and can contribute significantly to an improved stable interior temperature. As well as being an excellent thermal insulator, stonecladding is also a very good acoustic insulator.

As you can see from the photos, great cladding solutions can be achieved with traditional building methods without compromising the design intent.

The garden was designed and built by Troy Danns to create a slick minimalist look but is starkly juxtaposed with the green wall. The plant palette include dwarf varieties of Lomandra, Nandina, Agapanthus and Senecio.

The Elmich Versiwall system was chosen for its flexibility and ease of removal for maintenance or design change.

The Versiwall trays’ 6-point anchoring system allow them to be installed on different mounting frames. In this instance, the frame system chosen was 4mm galvanised mesh, with a 75 x 50mm grid which the trays sit on perfectly.

The wall is irrigated by a fully automated system and the baffle plates distribute the water across the trays preventing media spillage. Excess water is managed at the toe of the wall by 13mm poly pipes connected to the lower trays and diverted to the garden. 

Designer & Contractor: Troy Danns  Modula Green Walls 

Versipave units can be snapped into halves or quadrants for wall and corner junctions making this product the most economical solution for elevated paving systems. The installer only needs to commit one Versipave unit per tile, minimising waste. This is especially evident when there are multiple wall and corner junctions over numerous balconies.

The system eliminates the need for screeds reducing the dead loads on building structures and allows the builder to easily access the membrane if required.
When using Porcelain Tiles on paver supports it is important to incorporate a fall into the finished surface. Porcelain tiles are non-porous which is great for maintenance but due to the high surface tension of the tiles, water remains on the surface until it evaporates. This could lead to slip hazards and is also unsightly.
To overcome this, a fall can easily be incorporated into the finished surface to ensure the water is shed to the 4mm open joints. Using Versipave, each corner of the tile is independently adjustable, so the installer can easily create falls across the site. Do not use self-levelling paver supports as this will ensure water is retained on the surface of the tile.

When set down heights demand 200mm or greater, it is more economical to use the Versijack Paver Support. Versijack screw jack pedestals are available with a slope corrector which can be utilised to incorporate a fall. Finer adjustment on each corner can be achieved using 1 or 2mm neoprene shims.

Entry to the building is via a raised, gently ramped pathway, leading to a covered entry.
Kane was the overseeing builder on this project and Image Paving won the stone installation contact.
After the screeds were established, and membrane installed, high density polystyrene insulation board was installed to create an inverted roof system. A combination of Australian Bluestone and Bluestone & Coloured Concrete pavers were selected to all balconies and pedestrian walkways and installed on Versipave paver supports.

The project was completed in December 2017.
As you can see the overall project was a great success.

Team

Architect – Denton Corker Marshall
Engineering – Irwin Consult