Tilt Industrial Design partnered with architecture firm BVN on the design of a unique sliding glass facade for the Bunurong Memorial Park chapel.
Designed for a flexible all-weather facility, the operable facade consists of three curved glass panes forming a floor-to-ceiling window, which can be lowered to waist-height to allow open-air access to the environment or raised to offer protection from the elements.
Synchronised electric actuators raise and lower each window, which weighs approximately two tonnes. The actuators are designed to seamlessly integrate with the building and quietly operate without causing any disruption.
TILT Managing Director Tim Phillips explained that the integration of a technical series of windows in the building required considerable cooperation between the architect, builder and industrial design team.
Describing BVN’s approach to the conceptual design as adventurous, he said it was great to collaborate with the architecture firm on the design. The two teams worked very closely to establish clear expectations for building tolerances early in the design phase – this was critical to the successful integration of the architecture and industrial design.
The collaboration has resulted in a flexible design that enables the client to offer a unique facility, which makes the most of all weather conditions and its cantilevered positioning over the lake.
Architect and BVN Associate Nick Flutter said working with an industrial designer during the process ensured a functional and considered solution to the unusual design brief. They were able to make a lot of progress in a short time during the design phase, with TILT taking the concepts forward to deliver an elegant system that met their client’s original objectives.
