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design
mag
Precast concrete panels were specified for
the project.The financial benefits of this
offsite manufacturing process – faster
construction leads to earlier occupancy and
reduces the time capital is tied up – are well
accepted. Precasting also added to this
project’s green credentials on a number
of levels.
“The precasting process is performed under
controlled conditions in reusable moulds,”
explains Yuen Leow,WA sales and marketing
manager of Austral Precast which
manufactured the centre’s concrete wall
panels.“This ensures minimal waste and
optimises the consumption of cement, steel
and water.And in this case we were able to
use fly ash, an industrial waste product, as a
substitute for 20 percent of the cement.This
actually increases the product’s long-term
strength and durability.”
The concrete panels, crisply detailed with
pencil round edges, create an attractive,
robust building envelope that requires
minimal maintenance.“Precast concrete was
selected for its robust, durable nature and
high-quality paint finish that is consistent with
the existing campus palette,” says John Lee.
“It contrasts well with the transparency of the
glazing.” Precast panels were also used
internally.
PS Structures project manager Nathan
Phillips said construction guidelines ensured
all panels and bolting aligned, making site
installation simple, quick and easy.“The
precast panels are a mixture of walls and sills
which are fixed by bolting, using stainless
steel bolts that remain accessible.”This is part
of the disassembly plan that allows panels to
be demounted and reused or recycled
without demolition.
Because they are locally manufactured,
the transport costs for precast panels are
minimised and once onsite they can be
quickly craned into position.The panel
connections for this project were carefully
designed to allow disassembly of
95 percent of the facade, with recoverable
elements being clearly marked and listed on
a disassembly plan.
Thermal efficiency was also a key
component of the centre’s sustainability
initiatives.The building utilises the four
principles of passive design: orientation,
ventilation, insulation and thermal mass.
Precast concrete panels have a high mass
which helps moderate temperature
fluctuations and reduces the need for
artificial heating and cooling.