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Flexbrick® Brings Strength, Speed, and Sustainability to an Urban Landmark

The new Ringwood Carpark for Maroondah City Council showcases how architecture, sustainability, and efficient construction can come together in a single cohesive design.

LOHAS Australia

Supplied by Lohas Australia, the Flexbrick® Terracotta Mesh System wraps the 1,890m² façade in a warm gradient of tones, creating a monolithic and visually distinctive exterior.

Lightweight and durable, Flexbrick® allowed rapid installation using 197 prefabricated panels, typically achieving 10–15 panels or 150–200m² per day. Panels arrived pre-assembled on pallets,
lifted into place with a forklift and winch, and fixed directly to the subframe.

The carpark’s curved façades and shifting levels required a system capable of adapting to complex geometry. Flexbrick®’s flexible textile structure provided smooth transitions around corners and changes in elevation. “Flexbrick allowed us to softly curve around corners as the façade wraps the building,” IBC notes.

Lohas Australia delivered flexible, prefabricated Flexbrick® façades enabling rapid installation and seamless curvature across complex geometry.

Façade System: Flexbrick®
Installer: Tensile
Products Used: Flexbrick® – Terracotta Colours: Blanco, Tenere, Venecia, Salmon, Rojo
Project Size: 1,890m² façade coverage

Sustainability is embedded in every stage. Flexbrick®’s creamic tiles are manufactured using biogas as the main fuel source, preventing CO2 emissions. Lightweight, compact shipments reduce transport impact, and the dry-joined system allows full recyclability and straightforward replacement of individual tiles.

Lohas Australia supported the project with shop drawings, panel modulation, installer training, and early onsite supervision. Working with CO.OP Studio, Lohas also developed the five-colour gradient façade that blends from Blanco to Rojo, reflecting the site’s urban character.

With its speed, sustainability and sculptural presence, the Ringwood Carpark stands as a benchmark project demonstrating the architectural and environmental advantages of Flexbrick® in modern urban design.

For more information contact Lohas Australia, phone 02 7259 1054, email info@lohasau.com, website www.lohasau.com

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Holding It Together: The Hidden Engineering Behind Every Façade

Radiant North provided façade structural support for Norwest Quarter’s façades, ensuring stability, adaptability, and on-time delivery.

Radient North Engineers & Constructors

As one of the most ambitious mixed-use developments in NSW, Norwest Quarter demanded engineering partners who could adapt swiftly, communicate clearly and solve complex challenges with confidence. Radiant North Engineers stepped into this role as the project’s structural façade engineering consultant, applying deep expertise to ensure structural adequacy across key components of the development.

“We were engaged specifically to ensure the structural adequacy of the façade components,” explains Principal Engineer and Director, Zebei Jiang. “That included facade lightweight steel wall and opening framing and cladding sub-framing, supporting systems for sliding doors, cladding elements like CFC panels, brick slip systems, and the structural steel columns for the commercial areas in Buildings B and C.”

Working across lower levels, ground and Level 1, the team was responsible for designing the structural ‘skeleton’ that supported multiple façade systems. As construction progressed, scope changes and onsite realities required rapid reassessment and redesign.

“The timeframe was definitely the biggest challenge,” says Zebei. “It was a really fast-paced programme with evolving site conditions. In some cases, designs had to be revised multiple times after surveys revealed discrepancies from the original drawings.”

A notable example was the transition from brick slip cladding to conventional brickwork due to logistical constraints. “We had to redesign shelf angles and support systems very quickly to keep the project moving,” he explains.

For Radiant North, responsiveness wasn’t just about speed—it was about understanding the client’s needs immediately and delivering practical, buildable solutions. “When the client called with a problem, we understood what they needed right away,” Zebei says. “That’s where our experience really stood out. We were transparent, direct, and able to meet tight turnaround requirements—even when our work was on the critical path.”

Meticulous documentation, clear communication, and a problem-solving mindset contributed to the firm’s success. “We’re proud that our work speaks for itself,” says Zebei. “Most of our business comes from repeat clients and word of mouth—and projects like this are the reason why.”

For more information contact Radiant North Engineers & Constructors, 22 Ross Street, Windsor NSW 2756, phone
0403 564 772, email zebei@rneng.com.au

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Pioneering Complex Curtainwall and Façade Engineering

Ausrise Façades delivers precision-engineered, curtain walls and architectural façades, combining innovation, and technical excellence.

Ausrise Facades

For over two decades, Ausrise Façades has been at the forefront of façade innovation and precision, specialising in complex curtainwall systems, high- performance glazing, and architectural cladding solutions across Australia.

With 23 years of experience and a skilled team of 50 professionals, the company has become synonymous with quality, craftsmanship,
and collaborative delivery, which were on display in their recent work on the UNSW Health Translation Hub (HTH) project.

Located within the Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct, the HTH project posed a unique opportunity and significant technical challenge: to create a world-class façade system for a facility that brings together education, research, and clinical care under one roof.

“Our scope of work included all external curtain wall façades—glass, GRC (glass reinforced concrete), aluminium feature elements, fixed louvres, and frameless glazing at the podium,” said Kevin Hartin, Director at Ausrise Façades. “Every one of our 50 staff members was involved in this project in some capacity. It was truly an all-hands on effort.”

From the outset, the HTH’s architectural ambition was clear, with striking geometric forms and curved aluminium and GRC features shaping the building’s exterior. Ausrise was brought on for their ability to deliver complex façade systems with high technical accuracy and aesthetic precision.

“What made this project really stand out were the scale and shape of the GRC projections,” Kevin explained. “They involved large- format panels with very tight tolerances and complex curvature that pushed the limits of conventional fabrication and installation.”

Overcoming the engineering challenges of both these curved aluminium and GRC elements required early engagement with structural consultants, iterative 3D modelling, and customised mounting systems.

The Ausrise team worked closely with the builder, architect, and façade engineers to ensure every panel aligned with the architectural vision while maintaining long-term durability and thermal performance.

The podium-level frameless glazing system also presented logistical and sequencing complexities. These were resolved through meticulous staging and real-time coordination with other trades. Despite the scale and technical difficulty, Ausrise delivered their scope on time and to specification.

“The HTH project exemplified what Ausrise does best, bringing engineering, fabrication, and site installation together seamlessly to meet architectural intent,” said Kevin. “We’re proud to have been part of such an important project for UNSW and the broader research community.”

Beyond the HTH, Ausrise continues to push the boundaries of architectural façade delivery. The company is currently working on the Macquarie University Engineering and Astronomy Building, another architecturally ambitious project that showcases their deep capability in technical façade solutions.

With a growing portfolio of major university, commercial, and public infrastructure projects, Ausrise remains committed to its founding values of quality, innovation, and collaboration. Their vertically integrated model (combining in-house design, manufacturing, and installation,) enables them to tackle increasingly complex façades with confidence and precision.

“Over the past 23 years, we’ve built our reputation on consistency and problem- solving,” Kevin noted. “Every project is different, and we pride ourselves on adapting our systems and processes to suit. At the end of the day, it’s about delivering value, performance, and design excellence to our clients.”

For more information contact Ausrise Façades, 6/5 Clerke Place, Kurnell NSW 2231 Kevin Hartin – phone 0422 803 933, email kevin@ausrise.com.au, Paul White – phone 0422 803 932, email paul@ausrise.com.au, website www.ausrise.com.au

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Cladding Engineering: Delivering Thermal Performance & Architectural Precision

CCYE delivered expert internal linings and external cladding for Alba, ensuring precision, performance, and durability.

Cathay Chung Yue Estate (CCYE)

Cathay Chung Yue Estate (CCYE), a renowned façade company, played a key role in the Alba at Square, delivering lightweight internal lining and external cladding solutions as part of Westbourne Constructions’ broader vision for this sophisticated residential development.

With over two decades of industry experience, CCYE brought its extensive knowledge in both internal and external fit-outs to this project, ensuring seamless execution across complex building systems.

“We were engaged to complete the lightweight wall partitions and the full external cladding system,” said Johnny Meng, Project Manager at CCYE. “Our team focused on precision installation to match the architectural detailing and ensure durability across all five towers.”

Located within the transformative Green Square Town Centre— a precinct anticipated to house over 50,000 residents by 2030— the Alba development demanded a meticulous balance of form and function. CCYE’s scope included installing gyprock, Hebel panels, and multiple façade systems that aligned with the project’s high standards in sustainability and aesthetics.

“Our role was critical in helping Westbourne meet the architectural and thermal performance targets,” Johnny explained. “We handled variable designs and evolving site conditions while maintaining quality and timeline expectations.”

Despite a tight construction schedule and intermittent design changes, CCYE mobilised up to 85 personnel at peak to ensure project continuity and consistency. “We faced changes in construction drawings throughout the build, but our team adapted quickly and upheld the high-quality standards required by both Westbourne and the project stakeholders,” added Johnny.

CCYE’s contribution to the Alba showcases the company’s reliability and adaptability in large-scale, high-density developments. With a newly established cladding manufacturing facility and an expanding portfolio that spans residential, education, aged care, and commercial sectors, CCYE continues to position itself as a leader in streamlined, cost-efficient, and high-performance construction solutions.

For more information contact CCYE, Unit 2, 23 Leeds Street, Rhodes NSW 2138, phone 02 9682 6888, email info@ccye.com.au, website www.ccye.com.au

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