The Carillon Avenue Student Village comprises ten buildings of different heights and architectural appearance. The architect's initial concept was for the facades to be either masonry or concrete.

When Multiplex took on the design, construction and 40 year maintenance of student housing at the University of Sydney, durability and ease of maintenance were paramount considerations. The initial design was painted insitu concrete, but after consultation with the precast industry, the facade, internal loadbearing walls and the flooring system in the most prominent buildings were changed to precast concrete. Hanson supplied the walling and worked closely with Ultrafloor at the shop drawing stage to ensure that details were coordinated.

Hanson worked with Multiplex and the consultants to develop an efficient and durable walling solution which satisfied the original architectural brief while adding value in the short-term with faster construction and in the long-term with higher quality finishes and reduced maintenance.

"The team's selection of the most appropriate materials, construction detailing and methodologies were key issues, with whole-of-life costs being an ever-present consideration throughout the design and construction process", said Multiple's Project Manager, Sean Nyssen.

Internal loadbearing walls are 150mm thick and generally at 8 metre centres. They alternate with non loadbearing walls to provide 4 metre wide rooms. External walls at the stair wells were 200 thick and painted. The main 200 thick external walls have a honed reconstructed stone finish. This gives a natural stone appearance while providing a low maintenance facade. Hanson supplied 5,500 square metres of walling in 400 panels.

The facade was able to be detailed to provide staggered windows and for the attachment of lightweight sunshades. The panels provided an immediate safety barrier so that temporary handrails were not necessary.

The provision of high quality architectural finishes on loadbearing wall panels for Student Village again demonstrates the versatility of precast concrete and its ability to achieve the highest architectural, structural and construction objectives.

Contact Details

To discuss whether we can assist you contact our estimating manager.

Phone: 02 9627 2666

Fax: 02 9627 5161

Email: precast@hanson.biz