SUMMARY
D&C Built commenced their latest construction project comprising of two towers in Perth’s iconic waterfront, Elizabeth Quay, situated above a shared podium and plaza, and will deliver a diverse mix of land uses. The two buildings have a combined total area of 70,000m2.
The tower closest to the river is a 58-storey residential complex comprising of 250 high quality apartments. These apartments will enjoy views across Perth up to Rottnest Island with the tower also incorporating Australia’s only high-rise public art gallery and viewing deck. The adjoining building will feature a hotel and serviced apartments with a total of 190 short stay accommodation. This tower will also encompass contemporary commercial space with retail outlets and wellness centre facilities.
Application:
Internal partition & Inter-tenancy Walls
Shaft Walls
Construction type:
Hotel
Serviced and Residential Apartments
WHAT WAS THE CHALLENGE?
Insulation in high-rise buildings is crucial for energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and acoustic performance. With the scale and scope of the project, it was critical for the insulation to pass stringent testing within the BGC wall systems and provide excellent thermal and acoustic performance along with noncombustible classification. Acoustic insulation was necessary to ensure the residents experience the highest comfort levels and no compromise to privacy and health.
WHAT PRODUCTS WERE USED?
Knauf Insulation products were involved in rigorous testing within BGC wall systems, achieving a non-combustible classification in strict accordance with AS 1530.1.
Knauf Insulation 14kg/m³ Acoustic batts were chosen for walls between residential and short-term apartments to create an airtight inter-tenancy barrier which would improve the thermal and acoustic envelope.
Knauf Insulation 24kg/m3 Acoustic batts were used for GTEK™ Protect Shaftwall, achieving the required Rw* 50, complying with the National Construction Code of Australia.
Knauf Insulation was able to provide independent certification that established confidence in the insulation materials being specified, such as BRANZ and Codemark, which simplified the compliance process. Further certification such as Declare and Eurofins Gold were able to demonstrate the products’ safety during installation. Knauf Insulation’s distributor, Perth Plasterboard, successfully secured the tender as they have a reputation of success on high profile buildings, with a competitive insulation offer and guaranteed product turnaround times to meet strict project deadlines.
Knauf Insulation is the only glasswool in Australia to have Global GreenTag GreenRate Level A Certification which helped contribute to the 5-star Green Star and 5-star NABERS ratings of both buildings. Knauf Insulation is also the only glasswool in Australia to have Declare certification, classifying the products as ‘Red List Free’. This provides installers and ultimately occupants with the peace of mind that no harmful chemicals are in the building.
WHAT was the result?
Knauf Insulation’s range of glasswool was chosen because of its non-combustible status as well as the high thermal and acoustic performance that it delivered in the BGC systems. Knauf Insulation was also chosen due to its availability in the region as well as compression packaging for ease of storage and on-site handling.