Petersham Corium Case Study

CORIUM PROVIDES THE BEST SOLUTION FOR MULTI-STOREY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT

A tight building site of a multi-storey residential project in the Sydney suburb of Petersham, compelled builder Joe Charbel, of Tricon Builders Group Pty Ltd, and Gyula Toth from Nordon Jago Architects, to seek a non-traditional solution for the building’s exterior.

To maximise the available space on the site, the design included some unique angled walls, and lightweight scaffolding was extended over the top of two neighbouring properties to enable the build to progress. As a five-storey, affordable housing complex, the materials selected needed to be durable, low maintenance, cost-effective, and quick to build with to meet the tight schedule on certain elevations of the build.

Tricon and Nordon Jago felt it would be more cost and time-efficient to source a non-traditional exterior material that would reduce the amount of equipment, cement and sand on-site; create less mess and reduce strain on the scaffolding.

Research into material options identified CORIUM from PGH Bricks & Pavers as an ideal solution for cladding the four storeys and balcony balustrades.

CORIUM is a unique brick ventilated rainscreen façade system that provides the natural beauty of real brick. Ideal for mid to high-rise buildings, the system is cost-effective, lightweight and easy to install. The HPS200 galvanised steel framing system goes up quickly, and then brick tiles are simply clipped into place. It is also suitable for use on different substrates, including the structural walling system used for the Petersham property.

“Working with the CORIUM team from PGH Bricks & Pavers, we were able to deliver finished walls in key sections on time. CORIUM was easy to handle, and significantly reduced wastage and mess on the build,” said Joe Charbel.

The use of CORIUM on the project also eliminated the need for brick cleaning acids, which added to the environmental and safety benefits of the build.

With a design life of 60 years in most applications, CORIUM meets the low maintenance brief for affordable housing properties.

“Looking at the finished product, it’s impossible to tell it’s not traditional masonry,” commented director Gyula Toth. “The finished product has shown that what can be done in traditional masonry, can be completed in CORIUM.”