Flexible Spaces
Hawa Sliding Solutions offer a range of sliding solutions for educational institutions, including classroom dividers and movable partitions. These sliding applications are designed to create flexible and open learning spaces that can adapt to different teaching styles and group sizes.
As education facilities evolve into more flexible spaces, operable walls and sliding doors are more frequently specified. An operable wall divides available space enabling flexibility whilst sound rated panels still allows for effective noise control. When sound waves strike a partition, some are reflected from the surface staying in the same room as the source of the sound. Some are absorbed by the material of the partition, being converted to heat energy and some are transmitted to the other side.
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Marian College Catholic State Integrated School for Girls
Architects: Sheppard and Rout CHCH
Constructors: Armitage Williams CHCH
Treatment: 4,500 M2 Concrete curing, harden permanent moisture control, and deep matrix capillary protection.
Permanent Concrete Protection
Protect Crete NZ X200 Densi-Proof
Essential deep matrix curing, harden, permanent relative humidity (RH) moisture control, and protection, enabling rapid installation of flooring systems.
X200 Densi-Proof™ a single pack one application spray on system that deeply penetrates new or existing concrete, provides curing, permanent waterproofing, and protection. The application of X200 Densi-Proof™ at time of the concrete pour will cure concrete to provide the hardened properties equivalent to that of water pond curing, permanently waterproof concrete from any direction, making the concrete impermeable and increasing its longevity whilst providing a penetrative moisture barrier system for impervious coatings and coverings. System included in AS1884:2021.
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Curved Retractable Security Screens to Lock off Public Buildings
ATDC’s increasingly popular S08 retractable curved steel security screen has recently been installed to secure the new General Learning Centre at Brisbane Central State School.
Specified by Queensland based Towill Design,this very large 14 metre wide x 3.7 metre high curved screen traverses two different radius turns to conform with the curvature of the building.
This top hung door system has no floor track and is instead secured through a system of multiple intermediate up/down locking mechanisms along its span.
Project managers for this job were Badge Constructions (QLD).
For further information visit ATDC’s website at https://www.trellisdoors.com.au/product/commercial-security/security-screens-and-screen-doors/stacking-doors-s08
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Bildspec Provides Light
Inaburra School at Bangor, NSW, is proud of their strong commitment to a number of key areas including media, computing, pastorally-caring relationships and academic excellence, and being driven by a future-oriented mindset has enabled Inaburra to become a leader in independent education in NSW.
There are approximately 350 students in the Inaburra Junior School; there are two classes for each year from Kindergarten to Year 6. Recent refurbishments to the school, designed by NBRS Architecture, included the installation of a Bildspec Series 100 Double Glazed Side Stacking Operable Wall between the two Kindergarten classrooms.
The acoustic moving wall includes 4 separately moving double glazed panels, with the 2 central panels being white glass. This not only aids privacy between the two classrooms, but also serves as a versatile whiteboard for both class rooms at the same time.
Bildspec’s glass movable walls combine the elegance of glass with the reliability of a Bildspec Operable Wall. It allows for see-through connection of spaces with acoustic reduction properties.
Bildspec Acoustic Moving Walls have the ability to divide class room learning spaces at will. When made of glass, these movable walls allow maximum light transfer, creating an open, airy feeling in class rooms, which in turn provides an enhanced learning experience.
Bildspec were proud to deliver yet another quality project for esteemed builder Trinity Quality Interiors. For more information on the acoustic moving walls installed or our wider range of folding doors click here or for any further information please contact our office on 1300 967 672 or email us at sales@bildspec.com.au
- Published in NEWS
Deventer Library -The Netherlands
The new public library in Stromarkt, Deventer is contemporary in design and use of materials, while blending in beautifully with its historical context. An impressive feature of this design by BiermanHenket architects for a building of this size. With its large glass windows, the new library building extends a welcoming invitation to the city.
Since its opening in 2018, the new library in Stromarkt has been popular with Deventer residents of all ages. All of the 500 seats are occupied on an almost daily basis. And that was exactly the intention. Janneke Bierman of BiermanHenket architects: ‘This building has to appeal to young and old; it has to be an accessible place for people to meet, study and engage in literary activities. That’s why we designed an open-plan building, in every direction, with a cosy café-restaurant on the ground floor. We deliberately didn’t put the staircase right behind the entrance, so that people would spend a bit more time on the ground floor. Along the façade, there is an inviting wide oak staircase leading to two further library floors.’
This building has to appeal to young and old; it has to be an accessible place for people to meet, study and engage in literary activities.
Janneke Bierman – BiermanHenket architects
Fits in the historical context
With the height, articulation and choice of materials, the architect has managed to create a building that fits in well in the historical city centre. ‘It replaces a bank from the 1960s. But the bank’s fine grid of concrete columns meant that it couldn’t be repurposed as the new library because this had to have an open-plan design. The basements were retained, though, and the columns of the new building have been placed partly on the existing basement columns and partly on new screw piles. The new volume is 15.5 metres high and more or less follows the contours of the old bank, except on the east side, where the building extends a bit further than its predecessor. The result is that the L-shape Stromarkt now comprises two clear, urban spaces. Fortunately, the tall plane trees in Stromarkt could be kept.’
The famous 12th century neighbouring building, the oldest surviving stone house in the Netherlands, has been partly incorporated into the library. This monument now houses a quiet area, an exhibition space and an office space.
Glass and ceramic
The side walls consist largely of steel curtain walls. The glass is set in slim aluminium profiles by Reynaers Aluminium, fitted on the steel construction directly behind the wall. Other parts of the façade have been clad with ceramic panels. ‘We designed these panels specifically for this building in six versions. We chose the colour ochre because it’s so common in the buildings of Deventer. The elements have vertical lines, with smooth ridges and grooves alternating each other with two different comb structures.’
Set in the wall surfaces with ceramic panels are windows in clean-lined aluminium frames in a variety of sizes. Particularly eye-catching are the large diagonal windows on two corners of the building. In the entrance wall, narrow wall openings have been created across two floors. Floor-high steel frames made the large glass section above the entrance possible.
Spacious and bright
The ground floor is open plan, which allows for a flexible layout. It is a continuous meeting space, which is also used for workshops, debates and lectures. Next to the entrance, there is a café-restaurant. The south wall by the garden is largely made of glass. Along this wall, there is a vide (an open space) leading to a glass connection, which creates a visual separation between the now-connected new and historical building.
The wide staircase and open space on the north side provide a sight line all the way up to the second floor. Here, too, there are vides and skylights flood the space with natural light.
Open spaces, stairs and windows create connecting views through the library and to the outside. On the second floor, glass windows and a large corner window offer wide panoramic views of the old city centre.
From auditorium to smart lab
Apart from the usual library functions (being a facility where visitors can research, borrow books and read), the new building is equipped for a whole host of extra activities. For instance, in the basement, there is a small cinema and auditorium with 80 seats, among other things. In addition, there are book archives and a bike shelter for staff. ‘To create a pleasant height in the basement auditorium, the floor was raised by 1 metre. We were already dealing with differences in height in this space anyway: from the entrance, the floor level rises gradually towards the historical building by 1 metre,’ Bierman explains.
On the ground floor and on the first and second floor, there are a wide variety of consultation, chill-out and study areas, namely the quiet area in the historical part of the building, dining tables, armchairs, high and low tables, alcoves for sitting and lying down, stools, bleacher stairs, windowsills, long tables in the open spaces, benches and play tables, the garden and roof terrace.
And, of course, there are bookcases with books, films and music. These modern bookcases are transparent frameworks, sometimes filled but they often also provide views.
The office spaces are concentrated in the southwest part of the first floor of the new building and on the first and second floors of the old building.
On the top floor, a smart lab was created with a focus on making things, complete with 3D printers and benches. Adjoining the lab, the roof terrace offers spectacular views of the old city centre.
Used systems
Involved stakeholders
Architect
Fabricator
Photographer
- Jan Willem Schouten
Other stakeholder
- Published in NEWS
Usina del Arte
The impressive building in Buenos Aires was once a power plant. It was built in 1916 in the Florentine style by the Argentinian-Italian Electricity Company and indeed resembles a palazzo in Florence.
Electricity was produced in the “Usina” up to the mid-1990s. The power plant in the Boca district near the old port then closed its gates. It stood abandoned for quite some time and began to fall into neglect. In 2006, the city took over the building and turned into a center for culture. The centerpiece is a concert hall of impressive dimensions: 23 meters wide, 103 meters long and 20 meters high. It offers room for 1200 guests and has outstanding acoustics. Musicians of every genre from around the world perform there virtually every day: jazz and rock are just as commonly heard as classical music – and naturally tango, time and again.
Today, the “Usina del Arte” is used not only for cultural events: an office used by the city administration for official events and public relations was also set up in the museum section. Transparent solid glass screens designed by Amílcar Machado’s studio for architecture cover three balconies to prevent the noise made by visitors to the museum from disturbing the employees who work there. Two of the built-in sliding glass doors measure four-and-a-half meters, whilst the other measures more than seven-and-a-half meters. The glass doors run on HAWA- Junior 120 GP and HAWA Junior 160 GP hardware. Even glass elements of this size and weight can be moved easily and safely by hand thanks to the high-quality sliding hardware.
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Barr Smith Library
Barr Smith Library, located within the University of Adelaide, was an underutilised space defined by low ceilings, poor lighting and row upon row of book stacks that deterred people from visiting. To revitalise the library, HASSELL designed an intimate space with rich and textured tones and finishes, turning it into an inviting and relevant destination for students.
Bringing the library in line with contemporary centres for information and connection, HASSELL provided a diverse mix of settings from private study carrels to meeting rooms and collaboration hubs. Natural Oak Ravine allows for a neutral, earthy palette that is relaxing for students, which is necessary in a library.
Company: HASSELL
Designer: Yan Yan Ho
Location: Adelaide, SA
- Published in NEWS
Museum Of Contemporary Art NSW
Sydney architect Sam Marshall, in partnership with the NSW Government Architect’s Office, recently completed the new Mordant wing and the refurbishment of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia, at Circular Quay on Sydney Harbour.
X220 Moisture Fix
A single pack one application spray on system that deeply penetrates new or old concrete, provides permanent waterproofing, curing and protection. X220 Moisture Fix conforms to the moisture suppressant requirements as per AS1884-2012
X300 Repeller
An invisible penetrating repeller treatment for concrete.
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Bildspec Glass Walls Sound Proof Manly School Library
The Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus recently installed a Bildspec double-glazed glass operable wall in their library to acoustically separate the Learning Centre from the main library.
The specification put out by NSW Department of Education and Early Childhood Learning called for “Sound Proofing of Library” including the procurement and installation of metal framed glass operable folding doors.
The folding doors Sydney installed is a centre stacking glass operable wall and includes a full-height pass door with a lever handle. The folding door is double-glazed and available in 100mm profile. It consists of top-supported, manually operated panels that can be linked together to form a sound attenuating barrier.
The Manly Campus library has many varied uses including private study, running classes, debating, chess, meetings, group discussions, computer and printing use, borrowing of books and resources. Technical support and the learning centre are also located in the library. The Learning centre within the library has over 30 computers for classes plus photography and filming facilities.
Bildspec Acoustic Walls have an important part to play in providing an improved acoustic environment. They are often used to assist the creation of innovative, high-quality learning environments for students. Innovative learning environments offer flexibility and adaptability where teachers/lecturers can provide opportunities for student engagement.
For more information on the acoustic walls installed or our wider range of folding doors Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane click here or for any further information please contact our office on 1300 967 672 or email us at sales@bildspec.com.au
- Published in NEWS
Perforated Folding Closures Secure Melbourne Univesity’s Southbank Library
The Australian Trellis Door Company (ATDC) has installed high quality perforated folding closures to secure the entry to Melbourne University’s Southbank Library at their St Kilda Road campus.
The specifying architect on the project was Lyons Architects based in Bourke St, Melbourne and the project managers were the APM Group who are based in Exhibition Street, Melbourne.
The doors on this project have some unique features: The perforated mesh infills provided the ventilation and airflow that the project architects required; the doors have two 45 degree bends which were required to traverse the curved apertures; and these doors have sequential and intermediate up/down locks to achieve a seamless lock up effect without the need for any floor track.
For further information on ATDC’s full range of folding closures please visit their website at https://www.trellisdoors.com.au/product/commercial-security/folding-doors-and-shop-doors/fc1-folding-closures or contact them toll free on 1800657435 from anywhere in Australia.
Master Security Licence No: 410452552
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