Shortly after a standing seam solution was proposed, Steel & Tube’s Euroline Seamlok profile was selected as the preferred solution and its technical team stepped in to assist throughout the design process. During the concept stage, an interesting change of pitch design was proposed for the facade which required some creative thinking from Steel & Tube's wider technical team in order to overcome the tricky detailing requirements. To add to the complexity of the design, the change of pitch was creatively inserted diagonally across the facade.
The diagonal change of pitch has resulted in a very striking two-tone effect that is amplified by the movement of the sun throughout the day.
"Steel is a predominant feature of the building, both structurally and for exterior and interior finishes. The standing seam cladding visually lends itself to a solid appearance which responds sympathetically to the massive and rectilinear Town Hall building which forms a civic square with the Centre," explains ASC Project Architect Biba Boban.
"The anticipated canning effect of the metal tray product adds to the architectural feel of the structure giving it a certain elegance and refinement as well as exhibiting a hand-crafted look. The softer hand-crafted look of the Euroline product was selected as a more appropriate material for the front of an important civic building, as opposed to a traditional commercial trapezoidal profile," Biba adds.
Biba was also impressed with the technical back up and support provided by Steel & Tube.
"Steel & Tube’s technical team was immensely helpful in assisting with accurate specification and detailing. This included the challenge of detailing the feature diagonal "crease" in the front facade."
ASC Architects received two prestigious NZIA design awards for the project, which was followed by an award from the NZ Property Council in June 2008.
Architects: ASC Architects
Project Location: Pukekohe
Cladding: Steel & Tube Euroline Seamlok
Material: ColorSteel Endura (Ironsand)
Main contractor: Gibson O’Connor