Good design, environmental construction initiatives and smart window and glazing choices have merged to create a new sustainable apartment development in the one of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs. Located on the main road of Brunswick, this seven-level apartment building included a series of measures throughout the development process which have created comfortable commercial and residential spaces with energy efficient credentials.

While many aspects help establish an energy efficient home, window and door framing products are a key component of a building’s ongoing performance. In this build a selection of Alspec WERS rated window and door framing products were chosen. The Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) is used to rate a window's frame and glazing contribution to energy performance in the form of stars. By comparing ratings, products can be selected which will contribute to a building’s improved performance.

The key framing product selected for this project was Alspec’s ecoFRAMEplus 101.6 Centre Pocket Double Glazed Framing. This versatile product was ideal to meet energy requirements as well as contributing sharp, unbroken lines to the building’s façade. The ecoFRAMEplus integrates seamlessly with the ProGlide High Performance sliding doors, which were selected to provide access to the residential balcony and terrace areas. The ProGlide doors are perfect for apartment applications as they allow floor to ceiling designs and can accommodate the full range of glazing units to help achieve thermal and acoustic considerations. Being located on busy Sydney Road, these window framing and door solutions will help reduce noise from the external environment.  

In other areas, Hawkesbury Multi-Fold Doors and Swan 45mm Commercial Hinged Doors were utilised. Designed with large shopfronts in mind, the Hawkesbury doors benefit from their robust Centor hardware which helps them to run effortlessly through channels which are concealed when the doors are closed. Meanwhile the Swan doors are Alspec’s most popular shopfront door, featuring centre pocket glazing and the ability to accommodate full range of closing accessories. For this build they were teamed with Killara door furniture, a high standard of handles and locks designed in Australia and exclusive to Alspec.

Combined with other environmental initiatives such as solar panels, lighting sensors and rainwater harvesting, the window and door framing choices will play their part in the ongoing energy efficiency of this contemporary and stylish development.

Project Name: 808 Sydney Road
Project Address: 808-818 Sydney Road, Brunswick VIC
Architect: Carr Design
Builder: Pace Development Group
Fabricator: ODS Glass Pty Ltd
Completion Date: February 2018
Photographer: Glenn Hester
Applied Finish: Dulux Zeus Lunar Grey Matt (900-88417)

Hardware:
Centor
Killara Door Furniture

Alspec Products Used:
ProGlide® High Performance Sliding Door
ecoFRAMEplus 101.6mm Centre Pocket Double Glazed Framing
Awning and Casement Window
Hawkesbury® Commercial Multi-Fold Door