Kennovations designs operable glass roof for Sydney terrace apartment

Kennovations Product Design and Engineering was responsible for the commissioning of a new operable glass roof system atop a terrace apartment in Sydney.

The recent installation of a Skymech operable glass roof system at the top of a 10-storey apartment block in Potts Point facilitates panoramic views of the Sydney CBD, Centrepoint Tower, the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. An internal stairwell sealed by an operable glass hatch allows the owners and visitors to easily access the roof.

The client chose the stylish roof to meet architectural and aesthetic requirements that would match the landscape and setting of the courtyard while creating an area for leisure and entertainment.

Property owner, Toni Johnston explains that the glass hatch brings in natural light to the apartment, while also allowing easy access to the garden without any need to climb the fire-escape.

The 203sqm apartment has been put onto the property market for auction managed by Jane Schumann and Gary Sands at DiJones Real Estate.

Excellence in design and engineering

Key features of the glass roof system include moving panel assembly constructed of high quality marine grade stainless steel delivering both durability and corrosion resistance; and purpose-designed toughened laminated glass supplied by Viridian set on a painted structural steel sub-frame that opens and closes using two electric and mechanical actuators by Linak.

Since the apartment was situated at a height and was in close proximity to the coast, the glass roof was engineered to withstand high wind speeds and the materials were selected based on their capacity to survive Australia’s harsh environmental conditions.

Kennovations designed, constructed and commissioned the roof onsite at their facility in Artarmon. The installation process involved a crane lifting the preassembled roof approximately 30 metres high from a narrow alley onto the building.

First released in 2013 for a similar installation in Tamarama, Sydney, the Skymech hinged glass roof system allows easy rooftop access at the push of a button. A key feature in both settings was the multipurpose capacity of the product to function as a low profile access solution, a skylight, and an effective mode of ventilation.