Airports often have perforated metal ceilings that allow sunshine to fill the space.

Aesthetic and functional benefits of perforated metal in airports

 

Did you ever wonder what exactly it is that make airports all have that same quiet, bright, modern and clean feel? Perforated metal ceilings are one of the main architectural elements that you’ll find in almost every international airport. The advantages of using perforated metal are both functional and aesthetic: The metal creates a striking visual display for travellers as well as creating pleasing acoustics and a clean environment.

Discover the functional advantages of perforated metal – cleanliness and sound absorption – and how the material can be made aesthetically pleasing.

Sound absorption 

Have you noticed how strangely quiet airports can be and how sound seems to serenely echo throughout the open space? The Industrial Perforators Association (IPA) explains that one of perforated metal’s most important benefits is sound absorption. Any business looking to create a pleasant atmosphere without too many voices overlapping should consider perforated metal.

One of perforated metal’s most important benefits is sound absorption.

The material is designed to either absorb sound or scatter it. The IPA explains that perforated metal can remove or reduce sound by “tuning” the perforated sheet, in a sense.

It can be tuned by controlling the thickness of the perforated sheet and the size and number of holes in it. The holes make the sheet more “transparent” so that sound can easily pass through the material. Perforated metal can thus be customised to fit the amount that an airport, or any business, wants to control sound by controlling the number of holes and the thickness of the sheet.

Aesthetics 

In addition to being an effective barrier for sound, perforated metal is also aesthetically pleasing and versatile.  At Locker Group, we know that designers frequently feel too restricted in the design they can create because of the material they’re working with. But there are less limitations when it comes to perforated metal.

The IPA further explains that a company will be able to personalise the look of perforated metal because it’s capable of being manipulated into complex and curved sheets. Perforated metal brings a lot of product versatility, giving a business the capability to personalise its architectural products.

Also, spaces like airports often require divides between the many different terminals and airlines. So, perforated metal provides an attractively designed divide to an area, too.

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Furthermore, perforated metal can make it so airports are flooded with beautiful sunlight but still able to provide shade. The sheets effectively screen light while also allowing some of it to enter. The entrance of light provides a sense of warmth while also practically shielding travellers from the glare of the sun.

Cleanliness

Lastly, perforated metal is unique in providing more sanitary condition, which is particularly important for airports, known germ factories.

Perforated metal is exceptionally clean because of the smooth surface.

Auckland, New Zealand is an example of a world-class airport utilising perforated metal for this very reason. With an exceptionally smooth surface, the material doesn’t trap microbes or bacteria as easily as its rougher counterparts. This can contribute to higher air quality, not to mention the fact that it’s easier to clean for maintenance staff. Considering over 8 million people pass through Auckland Airport annually, minimising the chances of germ exposure for travellers is essential – and perforated metal helps this cause.

Locker Group has experts in perforated metal who can help you customise the material for your company’s specific needs. You’ll glean the functional benefits of perforated metal as well as create striking and unique architectural designs.

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How do we perforate our metal sheets, and what do people do with them once they're made?

Looking into perforated metal: what we do with hundreds of thousands of holes

 

The various outcomes of perforating metal are an important aspect of what we produce here at Locker Group, and an area in which we have a lot of experience. We thought it was worth taking a closer look at what it is, how it works and what we can do with this lightweight, versatile product.

The perforation process: What happens?

As Mert Tavsanli, Locker Group’s Perforation Manager, describes it, perforation is done with hydraulic machines that “basically consist of a punch and a die.” The punch penetrates the material, pushes out the slug (the excess metal) through the die, and creates a hole.

Mass perforation machines can punch up and down anywhere from 120 hits per minute up to 500 hits per minute, making two to four rows of perforations with every hit, thus creating hundreds of thousands of holes in minutes. These are not used for every project, however; a lot of architectural products will be manufactured using a linear punch press. The pattern can be made using standard dies, or customised tools if the project demands.

Although the bulk of the perforation we do at Locker Group is to aluminium and steel, the process can be applied to other metals such as brass or copper, and also non-metal products like MDF, plywood, plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene, and polycarbonate materials.

“Effectively we can punch any malleable material” says Mert.

Pic-Perf is an aesthetic application of the perforation process.Pic-Perf is an aesthetic application of the perforation process.

Pic-Perf – an aesthetic evolution

We’ve adapted the perforation process to create our Pic-Perf product, which uses varying sized holes to recreate a figurative or abstract image in a perforated sheet. According to Mert, the difference between Pic-Perf and regular perforation isn’t so much about the punching technique as the preparation and digital file creation leading up to it. A customer will supply an image which is translated into a digital file suitable for the perforation process. This file is fed into the programming software and the image is applied to the metal in the same way as regular perforations.

What happens to the holes

What happens to the metal that’s punched out of the sheet?

“It’s all recycled,” says Mert. “It goes to a foundry where it’s melted down and reused. A lot of it used to be recycled into car parts for the automotive industry, but now that’s gone they’re finding other homes for it.”

The benefits of perforation

The strength of perforated metal comes from its versatility and customisability. While there are plenty of pre-defined die shapes, a unique die shape is also a possibility.

“If you can draw it, you can make the hole just about whatever shape you like,” says Mert.

Perforated metal often fills a dual role: not only is it an aesthetic device, it is also functional.

Once the perforation is done the sheets themselves offer a range of applications. You can leave a border or a solid edge around the perforations, which makes it easier to work with and easier to fix to a structure. Unlike some other screening materials, perforated metal doesn’t need to be put into a frame, making it more cost effective.

Curving and folding the sheets can create interesting visual devices, and it also has the structural benefit of adding rigidity, which means fewer supports are necessary.

Around 95 per cent of Locker Group’s work for architectural applications is aluminium panels, which are light and pliable. “It has great anti-corrosion characteristics so it lasts for a long long time,” Mert says. “You could put perforated aluminium into an area with a design life of 50 years plus, easily.”

The lightweight nature of aluminium also has the benefit of reducing the load put on a building by the sheets and their supports.

The uses of perforated metal – where does it end up?

Perforated metal has a huge range of uses, which can broadly be separated into industrial and architectural applications.

Some of its industrial uses include watering the pulp in paper mills, crushing and squeezing sugar cane, shielding electrical devices to reduce EMI/RFI radiation and as speaker grills or lining on transmissions in motor vehicles.

In architectural projects our perforated metal sheets have been used for ceiling tiles, balustrades, privacy screens, partitions, infill panels on bridges, sunscreens, decorative screens and facades. Perforated metal often fills a dual role: not only is it an aesthetic device, it is also one that has a functional purpose – usually reducing sunlight or moderating sound in a space.

Atmosphere – sustainable sun protection

Our Atmosphere facade is made of perforated sheets supported on stainless steel cables. The facade is held out from the building’s surface where it can limit the effects of direct sunlight without interrupting visibility from within. The aluminium sheets are folded in one of our standard configurations designed to optimise sustainability, visibility or ventilation. These configurations can also be customised to suit individual projects.

Perforation is a widely applicable process, and the results can have any number of uses. We’re proud that our product is used in such a varied and exciting range of projects. But perforation isn’t all we do at Locker Group. To talk about the products we supply and how they could help your project or business, please get in touch today.

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What mining safety products might you need if you get hit by a sinkhole?

How to ensure mine safety in your own back yard

 

Safety is a huge issue for the mining industry, but what about for the rest of us? You’d think that the dangers of mining wouldn’t effect those who don’t venture out to mines, but what about when mining comes to you?

You never know what instability lurks in the ground beneath you.

Take the example of Lynnette and Ray McKay from Ipswich, Queensland, whose back yard fell into a 15-metre-wide sinkhole when an old mine shaft collapsed underneath it in August. And in 2014 a similar-sized hole, also thought to be caused by an abandoned mine shaft, opened up underneath a house in Swansea Heads, New South Wales.

Sinkholes happen naturally when caves form, usually in limestone, close to the ground’s surface. When the roof of the cave becomes too thin it collapses, suddenly creating an unexpected and often sizeable pit. But this process can also happen artificially, when an underground mine collapses in a similar fashion.

The risk of this happening to you will of course depend on the mining history of your area, but you never know what instability might be lurking in the ground beneath you. If a collapse does happen at your home your first priority should be safety (and then maybe a call to the insurance company once you’ve got over the shock of your new situation). Here are some immediate ways to regain a level of safety if the ground gives way underneath you:

Handrails

The Building Code of Australia requires a handrail on decks a metre or more above the ground. An unintended pit could cause a much higher fall than that, so handrails are an obvious safety feature to stop anyone plummeting in as they admire your new garden feature. Locker Group handrails can be set up in a range of custom configurations to suit even the most irregularly-shaped hole.

Mining safety isn't usually an issue in the suburbs, but the unexpected can happen.Mining safety isn’t usually an issue in the suburbs, but the unexpected can happen.

Platforms and walkways

When inspecting the damage or checking details for the insurance forms, you’re going to need somewhere to stand. Unfortunately your lawn or patio are no longer to be trusted, and so some sturdy walkways or platforms will be necessary. A good product for this is Gridwalk, a versatile industrial flooring that can be customised to any shape, and either welded to a structure or easily attached with removable clips.

Given that your new garden structures need to be used not only by mining experts but also by inexperienced laypeople, you may want to ensure a more secure footing. In this case an anti-slip flooring like Safe-T-Perf is the solution. Its perforated surface has 360-degree skid resistance for people walking in any direction. Safe-T-Perf is also available as preformed stair treads which are ideal for quick, easy installation.

Fencing

You weren’t expecting to own a pit, but your in-laws will expect it even less when they pop over for a visit.

To ensure safety you’ve got to keep people out of your new mine. You weren’t expecting this situation, but your in-laws will be expecting it even less when they pop over for a surprise visit. Make sure any steep drops or unstable ground are adequately fenced off to keep people out who aren’t prepared to be there. Our woven wire mesh offers plenty of fencing options, or our expanded security mesh provides a more dissuasive option if your in-laws don’t take a hint well.

The best solution to a dangerous situation is to avoid that situation altogether. Do your research when buying a home (although with that said, the Ipswich hole was caused by a shaft that hadn’t been recorded properly), and don’t go mining unless you’re a miner. But if you are a miner, or if unforeseen circumstances mean you have some sudden work to do, please get in touch today.

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Woven wire is a customisable product with huge potential for unique projects.

3 unconventional uses for woven wire

 

Wire mesh has many uses and a range of architectural applications, both structural and aesthetic. But aside from the usual applications on buildings and public features, today we thought we’d look at a few fun, unconventional projects that could be achieved with our woven wire products.

1 Mazes

We have some great mazes open to the public in Australia: Last year the Tangled Maze in Springmount, Victoria made it onto the Telegraph’s international list of top ten mazes.

There are a number of materials a maze could be built of, but woven wire’s variable opacities offer a unique twist. Building a maze out of solid barriers that offer glimpses of where you want to go, or where other maze-runners have found themselves, adds a fun dimension to the experience.

Woven wire's variable opacities offer a unique twist on a traditional maze.Woven wire’s variable opacities offer a unique twist on a traditional maze.

2 Fashionably dressed statues

James Cook in Sydney’s Hyde Park, the bronze Queen Victoria in front of the Queen Victoria building, even the Big Merino in New South Wales – these statues are all great sightseeing attractions, but they’ve been there, relatively unchanged, for a long time.

Perhaps there is an opportunity for a tourism boost if these spectacular characters became a little more of a spectacle. Maybe a new outfit?

James could have a grand new coat, the sheep could have a jaunty hat, Victoria could have a full suit of armour. With woven wire’s range of finishes and configurations there are so many options for customisable outfits that could be attached to the statues and swapped out regularly. And with wire’s light weight these fun additions could be made without putting undue stress on the valuable statues underneath.

A photo posted by Guymer Bailey (@guymerbailey) on

3 Unique playgrounds

This is actually something that’s already been done, and we’re proud to say Locker Group had a part in making it happen.

Frew Park in Brisbane contains a playground constructed in part from a stainless steel wire mesh. The architect Guymer Bailey worked closely with us to achieve his vision of an industrial-styled playground for Brisbane City Council. The project called for a material that would give the playground the feel of a tiny abandoned city while still meeting the requirements for safety and visibility. Our Boston 311 woven wire profile fit the bill nicely. This year, the Frew Park playground made the short list for Australia’s Best Playground.

Woven wire is a customisable product with huge potential; these are just a few ideas for how it could be used outside of traditional architectural uses. If you’d like to have a go at any of these projects, or have some creative ideas of your own that we could help you realise, please get in touch today.

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Facade – QE11 Medical Centre Car Park

Project Name:

QE11 Car Park

Location:

Perth, W.A

Architect:

Designinc (Perth)

Application:

Facade

Specification:

Dragon Scale

Photography:

Rob Burnett

Scope

The QE11 Medical Centre car park, located opposite Kings Park in Perth had strict design considerations given its prominent location. The aesthetics were a major design consideration, the intent was to provide inhabitants with privacy, while ensuring car headlights didn’t disturb local residents or effect the ambiance of Kings Park.

The facade cladding had to meet the BCA requirements of >50% open area, however the designers wanted to achieve a unique design that would meet both the aesthetic and functional considerations.

Progression

The architect envisaged a ‘scale’ concept where each individual scale would face up, re-directing internal light into the night sky, while the panels would also be open enough to provide high air flow; reducing the requirement for mechanical extraction equipment.

Locker Group’s engineering department worked closely with the architect, in order to understand the design vision and create the tooling that would allow Locker Group to work within the confines of the material and manufacturing equipment, in order to produce the panels locally.

In a first for Locker Group, the DragonscaleTM pattern is a true 3 dimensional profile, where the scales are formed individually out of the aluminium sheet. The hardness of the Aluminium presented a number of challenges, with profiles and samples travelling back and forth, across the country, before the team was able to achieve the anticipated profile shape & depth, without any cracking or tearing.

Outcome

Dragonscale panels are installed on the car park ‘slab to slab’ therefore requiring no intermediate supports. The simple folded panels were just lifted onto the brackets and fixed to each slab; saving the installation team time and money.

The panel design, the spacing from the building face and internal guttering catches rainwater, and prevents it from entering the car park.

The bright Duratec colour scheme reflects the transition from dusk to nightfall and was designed to emulate an occupied building.

 

feature wall

Feature Wall / Security Fence – Perth Arena

Project Name:

Perth Arena

Location:

Perth, W.A

Architect:

ARM Architecture & Cameron Chisholm Nicol

Application:

Feature Wall / Security Fence

Specification:

Pic Perf ™

Photography:

Rob Burnett

Scope

The design and construction of the Perth Arena is a striking architectural statement, and is likely to inspire redevelopment in the surrounding section of the CBD. Perth Arena now offers a premier venue to accommodate up to 15,500 patrons.

A joint venture between ARM Architecture and Cameron Chisolm Nicol, Locker Group worked closely with the design team in order to understand their vision for a striking, dramatic interior. The interior of the facility includes four freestanding bars, five function areas and seven concessions. The different areas of the interior express individual colours and textures. Locker Group produced the internal feature wall, which provides the first impression to patrons as they come in the main entrance. The feature wall was intended to have a textural appearance that represented a quilted finish.

In addition, Locker Group was involved in specification of the anti-climb security fence, which was to envelope the goods area. The security fence covers approx 1000 m2 of both perforated and plain, unperforated panels.

Progression

The internal feature wall incorporated Pic Perf™, not as a traditional photo image or logo, but as a textural element. The perforations were designed to replicate the voluptuous image of warm quilt, and the black anodised aluminium contrasts beautifully with the warm timber panelling.

Locker Group kept in close contact with the installation team, Denmac, as each perforated panel, was a discreet shape, not a rectangle among them. Each panel was either raked or angled, and Locker group supplied every one fully finished and ready for installation.

Outcome

The new Perth Arena is a spectacular and daring architectural achievement; recognised as one of 7 shortlisted projects in the 2013 World Architecture Festival awards. The West Australian Premier, Colin Barnett noted “This is an iconic venue for Perth… the Arena is a work of art.”

Locker Group is immensely proud to be associated with such a significant moment in Perth’s evolving architectural landscape.

The feature wall in the main concourse provides a visual drawcard and provides its desired texture and contrast. The external security fence surrounding the goods despatch area is further insight in to the design brief and architectural language of this imposing new structure.

Latrobe University Dining Hall

Project Name:

Latrobe Uni Dining Hall

Location:

Bendigo, VIC

Architect:

Billard Leece Partnership

Application:

Facade / Balustrade

Specification:

3mm Aluminium perforated panels 12.7mm dia holes

Photography:

Rob Burnett

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Scope

The architectural team at Billard Leece had a vision for a clean and sophisticated metal finish product that would provide opposing textural elements to the Dining Hall of the Latrobe University Bendigo campus. The intent was to utilize one finish across a number of different planes to provide a seamless and sharp finish across the project.

Perforated metal was chosen as the ideal substrate to provide shade and allow natural light to flow through.

Progression

The angle and shape of the façade that surrounds two faces of the dining hall, provided a challenge for both Locker Group and the fabricator. As opposed to a traditional face fixing method, the team developed a system where cleats were used to mount the perforated panels to the supporting RHS structure.

Despite the sharp folds and angles, the finish aimed to appear smooth and clean, so each perforated panel was individually folded to fit cleanly with the supports behind it. Given the geometric nature of the design, hardly any panels incorporated a 90 degree angle. Each façade had to be matched and measured specifically, so the connecting point of folded boarder met seamlessly with the cleats.

Perforated metal panels were also utilized to cover the external walkway enveloping the dining hall, these were face fixed at a distance to the right angled sheet structure, providing an industrial feel.

Outcome

The sleek appearance of the perforated balustrade, façade and external ceiling panels provides a chic industrial appeal to the regional campus.

The balustrade provides protection for alfresco dining, students can eat and study while protected from harsh glare.. The façade protects internal diners from the heat during summer, but allows a warm winter sun to infuse the space during the cold winter months.

Perforated panels installed horizontally around the building provide shading protection for students and staff.

Agilent Technologies

Expanded 125A Installed with tensioned Stainless Steel Cables

Project Name:

Agilent Technologies

Location:

Melbourne, VIC

Architect:

SKM

Application:

Facade

Specification:

Expanded 125A Installed with tensioned Stainless Steel Cables

Photography:

Brent Robinson, Joe Berkelmans
Agilent Technologies Mulgrave VIC 2 e1567982630751

Scope

SKM Architects were commissioned by Agilent Technologies to design a purpose built research and development facility, as an extension to their Head Office in Melbourne’s South East.

The vision for the facade was to create a light veil that would encapsulate the building perimeter, and provide sun shading characteristics.

Progression

Locker Group worked closely with both the Architectural team, and two engineering teams; Bonacci & Tensys, in order to develop the concept to completion. The first challenge was a feasibility study for the cable placement to balance the requirements of aesthetics and engineering.

The mesh profile was specifically developed for the project; modelled on an existing profile; the resulting Sun 125A profile met the Architect’s intent. Locker Group designed a new fixing method, in order to attach the expanded metal to the Stainless Steel cables.

Mechanical testing for all of the components and connections was conducted, along with detailed engineering analysis, to ensure the facade would meet the design criteria and intent,and withstand any wind loads; especially as the facade returns on several elevations.

Outcome

Locker Group installed the Stainless Steel cables and then provided assistance in the installation of the mesh. Detailed preparation and planning ensured the installation was fast and efficient, even though installing the mesh required a detailed touch. The intricate nature of the facade meant that the stag ends on each piece of expanded mesh needed to align to the next sheet.

This required higher than usual manufacturing tolerances, which Locker Group was able to provide Both client and architect are happy with the end result; which looks spectacular day or night. At night the facade is backlit by LED’s at each level, providing a bright hi-tech vision for passing traffic.

Vogel House

Project Name:

Vogel House

Location:

Wellington, NZ

Architect:

CCM Architects

Developer:

AMP Capital

Application:

Balustrade

Specification:

Transit F360 S/S

Photography:

Brent Robinson

Scope

A high profile building in Wellington’s parliamentary precinct, Vogel House was part of a multi million dollar redevelopment project. It was de-signed to provide a ‘campus’ environment for the Ministry of Justice, among other occupants.

The developer, AMP Capital, was focused on refurbishing the 1960’s Vogel building, constructing a new seven-level, 17,300 square meter podium building on a car park next door, and connecting the two buildings via a six storey atrium.

Locker Group had the opportunity to assist in the design, and provide a screen for the stairwell which would be both decorative and functional.

Progression

The main focus of the Vogel House project was on the new development (which provided more than 33,000 square meters of office space) to enable the Ministry of Justice to move from multiple locations to a single site. While the ‘campus’ format was designed to enable related teams to work closely and effectively together.

Locker Group provided the stairwell solution in the form of three continuous drops of Transit F360 stainless steel woven wire. The Transit mesh was woven using a flat wire ribbon, custom manufactured to meet the exact measurements for the width and internal drop of the stairwell.

Delivered in three rolls, the mesh was fastened at the top and bottom. In addition Locker Group provided technical assistance, designing the installation and fixing systems, ensuring the fast and easy installation was completed in days, not weeks.

Outcome

Locker Group successfully designed and installed a decorative screen that not only formed a central component to a multi-level commercial space, but also provided a safety barrier, allowing light to pass into the void, remaining aesthetically pleasing to visitors and occupants.

After consideration and installation of a cheaper mesh alternative, the Vogel House project was finalised using Locker Group’s Transit mesh which offered superior quality and incorpo-rated the reliability and service that Locker Group offers.

Tabcorp Park

Project Name:

Tabcorp Park

Location:

Melbourne, VIC

Architect:

What Architects

Application:

Façade

Specification:

Custom Perforated

Photography:

Rob Burnett

Scope

Tabcorp Park was designed as a state of the art Harness Racing complex situated just off the Western Hwy, close to Melton.

The façade was designed by What Architects, who were looking for an individual and original feature, which would also act as a sunscreen, to reduce sun glare and allow airflow.

Progression

Along the extended term of the project Locker Group worked closely with both the architects and then the construction company to create a customised pattern in perforated metal.

Locker Group designed a specific tool to match the architect’s desired pattern, which once installed creates a stunning visual appearance. Locker Group supplied proofs and samples throughout the process to make ensure all of the stakeholders were happy with the final result.

Outcome

The Tabcorp Park Façade consists of over 300 custom perforated and cut aluminum panels in vari-ous sizes; anodised and installed by Qualified Constructions.

The unique perforated pattern combined with the stunning gold anodising ensures the façade is both a functional sunscreen, and noticeable from the Western Hwy as you enter Melton.

Porsche, Brighton

Project Name:

Porsche, Brighton

Location:

Melbourne, VIC

Project Builder:

Exel Links

Application:

Façade

Specification:

Standard Perforation

Photography:

Rob Burnett

Scope

The main scope for this project was to create a façade / sunscreen to match other Porsche centres around Australia. Porsche are very protective of their brand identity and hence the final finish and design were closely monitored.

The facade was designed to provide protection from the harsh Australian climate for the vehicles situated in the external showroom. The screens still allow the natural daylight to flow through, ensuring an ideal environment for highlighting the vehicles’ assets.

Progression

Locker Group perforated metal was the ideal solution. The panels were able to be provided quickly, as the designers chose one of Locker Groups large range of standard patterns. The large panels, each manufactured with an inbuilt framing border, provide a modern look to the dealership. Locker Group worked closely with Exel – Links throughout construction; providing samples and installation advice to make sure the client was happy with the final concept.

Outcome

The perforated metal was used to emphasise the façade of Porsche Brighton’s new showroom, while also acting as a sunscreen to protect the inhabitants from the sun’s glare. The result is a clean and crisp finish, in line with premium branding position of this prestige vehicle manufacturer.

Locker Group perforated patterns allow air to flow through, while still ensuring a suitable sunshade is provided. Locker Group’s perforated metal can also be used for balustrades, feature facades or anywhere airflow is required.

KUD House

Project Name:

KUD House

Location:

Melbourne, VIC

Architect:

KUD Architects

Application:

Façade

Specification:

Pic Perf

Photography:

c/o KUD Architects

Scope

The designer saw this project as a platform to establish a critical dialogue within the built environment; to raise as many questions as it found solutions.

KUD architects challenged the idea that smaller inner city blocks cannot respond to complex contextual constraints such as orientation, sustainability and heritage restrictions. They utilised these constraints as areas of possibility and exploration for their design processes and discourse.

The strategy was to break down the elements of the Terrace house; to critique and respond.

Progression

The main areas of investigation during the design stage were symbolism and ornamentation, the public and private realm and redefining the boundaries between them, Solar Orientation, environmental sustainability and the programming of the plan. KUD Architects were interested in retaining the ‘idea’ and the symbolism’ of the terrace but re-evaluating the gesture to an ironic or even satirical level to engage in a public debate.

To achieve this, Locker Group worked closely with KUD architects, providing proofs and samples of Pic-Perf® panels representing a terrace façade.

The panels had to be more than just fixed panels, they had to be operable. Locker Group worked closely with KUD to ensure their vision was fulfilled.

Outcome

The built form is an urban infill within a very small 5.5 x 14.4M envelope. The perforated house was the response to establish an alternative language to the accepted notion of the culture in the area. This Pic-Perf® house has an anodised aluminum finish. Locker Group manufactured large sheets exceeding 3.00M in height and 1.2M in width to create the desired effect. This included 2 sheets installed as bi fold doors for the second level, which in itself provided some challenges, as the doors had to work independently, and in tandem with the bi-fold windows that are hidden within. The house incorporates passive sustainable interventions by orienting glass bi-fold doors to the north and louvers for cross ventilation as the primary means of cooling.