SHADOWclad, manufactured by Carter Holt Harvey has been selected as the wall cladding of choice for a new sustainable building project that’s taken on the world at the Solar Decathlon China 2013.
The Solar Decathlon challenges collegiate teams to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, comfortable and attractive. Team UOW Australia, the winning team comprises of members from The University of Wollongong and TAFE Illawarra, and is the first team from Australia to gain entrance into the competition.
Team UOW also became the first team in the history of the Solar Decathlon to demonstrate how to retrofit an existing home to improve its environmental performance. The retrofit concept was inspired by the understanding that the current building stock in Australia of approximately eight million homes equated to 13% of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions. An improvement of the energy efficiency of existing homes would have a significant impact in ensuring a sustainable future. The solution needed to be both practical and affordable.
Titled the Illawarra Flame House, the project demonstrated how to modify and retrofit an energy-inefficient fibro home. Building materials were selected for factors such as low embodied energy, high recycled content, minimal impact on air and water quality, non-hazardous formulation (avoiding constituents such as formaldehyde, PVC, lead and mercury), local production and third party accreditation, wherever possible - all while keeping the budget in mind.
SHADOWclad wall cladding made the list for characteristics such as low embodied energy, Super E0 formaldehyde emissions and use of sustainably managed plantation timber in its manufacturing. It is also available with FSC Chain of Custody certification and is favoured by architects and building designers for its appearance and affordability. SHADOWclad plywood cladding complies with the Building Code of Australia 2012 and is ‘Product Certified’ for peace of mind by the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia.
SHADOWclad comes with a shiplap weather groove joint and a rough band sawn surface texture, with or without vertical grooves. It’s also available in a pre-primed, powder coated finish for painting or in an un-primed natural surface for staining.
