Prodema natural wood cladding panels ensured visual continuity on the facade of Riverpoint Apartments across the two stages of the residential development in Brisbane.
Developed by Stockwell Development Group, Riverpoint Apartments was constructed in two phases with the first stage completed in 2010 and the second stage in 2015. Prodema played a vital role in the exterior design of both stages in cladding as well as soffit applications.
Sharon Waddell, development manager – Stockwell Developments explained that zinc, copper and Prodema panels were featured heavily on the external facade of the individual buildings. While zinc and copper elements were chosen for weathering properties, Prodema Rustik complemented these materials with its depth and richness of form.
“Prodema's durability and minimal maintenance features married with the precast concrete panels, which form the majority of the structure, has ensured the success of the facade, now 5 years old,” said Waddell.
The success of this materials palette encouraged the developers to replicate many of the same materials in the construction of Riverpoint Stage 2. Consisting of an additional 50 luxury apartments adjoining the existing riverfront apartments, these buildings also utilise Prodema to provide depth of material as well as continuity between the two stages of development. The consistent performance of the material enabled the design team to marry other materials to Prodema, resulting in an outstanding design outcome that exceeded expectations.
Civic Construction Group was engaged by Stockwell for the design and construction of Riverpoint Stage 2, with the architectural brief requiring the building envelope to complement the external facade details and materials used in the adjoining existing apartments. One of the predominant facade materials was Prodema.
Describing the complexity of the project, Civic Construction senior project manager Richard Bryatt said, “Some of the facade details required the Prodema cladding to meet in three planes. The construction of these areas required highly detailed design from structure to final installation. The structural arrangement of the building was complicated; however, the final façade characterises clean straight lines representing a simple modern look.”
“The fixing details, material stability and quality of Prodema allowed us to meet the required detail without excessive fixings or sub-frame support often required by other materials,” Bryatt added.
Skypanel was engaged by Civic Construction for the supply and install of the Prodema element in the build.
According to Skypanel director Tim Malloy, they worked closely with interfacing trades to achieve the best results for waterproofing, build-ability and aesthetics when utilising Prodema. The installation involved standard methodologies except for one special feature with a balcony pelmet detail.
“There were external blinds around most balconies that required boxing out to enclose the mechanism. We installed structural steel elements to support the blinds as well as the profiled Prodema. These profiles were manufactured and formed together in our factory under a controlled environment, then delivered to site for easy installation. The end result was a seamless pelmet detail that the architect and client were most happy about.”
Malloy describes the Prodema product as faultless when it comes to the manufacturing side, given the consistency of core and its perfect factory edges.
“As it is a natural product, in theory there can be some expectation of diversity in colour between batches; however we have installed large quantities of this product and the consistency speaks for itself over the numerous projects.
“We are extremely happy with the end result and it shows that Prodema is certainly in a class of its own,” Malloy added.
