Balwyn North Residence.

Achieving an ambitious star rating for such a high window-to-wall ratio demand by the client required careful specification of performance and quality materials. The use of standard glazing would have resulted in major energy leakage, resulting in an unacceptable level of energy consumption.

This complex issue was assessed thoroughly in the early design stage to enable the necessary energy rating target to be met. Performance window and glazing systems were critical to the outcome, with the architect working closely with the window manufacturer, Design Window Solutions, to meet the client’s ambitious requirements.

‘When working with the architect at the design stage, our research identified Insulglass LowE Plus^® IGUs as offering the energy efficiencies and thermal benefits we were seeking,’ explains Matthew Campi, of Campi’s Building Group.

Having sourced the solution, the builder had to grapple with uniquely challenging logistics. ‘The dimensions of those immense sliding doors were 7.4m x 2.5m,’ Matthew explains. ‘Because they were so massive, they had to be glazed and assembled onsite. A couple of the panels were particularly tricky due to their size, so appropriate scaffolding had to be used to accommodate them during the installation process.’

With such colossal sliding door units, the framing system itself had to be capable of supporting great loads. ‘The format of those stacking sliding door units made ensuring structural integrity a key priority,’ Matthew says. ‘We put in extra effort to make sure the AWS Aluminium framing suites would take the weight, which they did comfortably.’

The result? An ultra energy efficient, light-flooded residential haven.