Redefining Retirement

Brisbane’s prime inner-city suburb of Yeronga is now home to a stunning three-storey, self-contained apartment block, purpose-built to make life easier for retirees and people in need of aged care. From the look of things, retirement has never been so good!

Designed by Queensland’s well-respected McNab Developments, the Village at Yeronga offers residents secure car parking, a swimming pool, gymnasium and residents lounge, library, cinema and even a billiards room.

The project was subject to stringent acoustic requirements. This called for the selection of a range of high performance building products to provide excellent sound dampening and insulation qualities. Windows and doors were a high priority in this mix with developers seeking a balance between light, ventilation, accessibility, lifestyle features and acoustic performance.

The Vantage range of high performance windows and doors have long been recognised for their ability to deliver reliable acoustic outcomes, a varied product range and specially designed seals enable vantage systems to achieve excellent acoustic performance. Following a very competitive tender process, Vantage fabricator Queensland Windows were engaged to supply to the project. Queenland Windows have worked with McNab on numerous commercial projects, their experience and expertise in the supply and install of Vantage and Elevate™ Aluminium Systems ensured a perfect finish when it came to fulfilling the Yeronga brief.

The acoustic ratings required for the project ranged from R31 to R34. Queensland Windows worked with designers to select window and door systems which would achieve the desired outcomes. Being able to achieve high level acoustic performance without compromising the aesthetics of the project was an important consideration for designers. A range of Vantage systems were selected for the project including Series 542 Sliding Windows, Series 514 Double-Hung Windows, Series 516 Awning Windows, Series 525 Louvres, Series 548 Hinged Doors and the award winning Series 618 Magnum™ Sliding doors.

The Vantage series 516 Awning Window was specifically used throughout the apartments in conjunction with 6.38mm laminate glass and high performance co-extruded Santoprene bulb seals to deliver an R34 rating. Like many systems within the Vantage and Elevate™ range of products this glass, frame and seal combination has been tested for acoustic performance by AWS. Test reports were available for the client to confirm the suitability of the selection.

In the dining area Series 542 Sliders were selected, this system typically used as a sliding door was adapted and installed as large sliding windows, the strong frame and sash enabled large bold panels to be achieved.

In the living areas Series 618 Magnum™ Sliding Doors were selected. The Series 618 offers a recessed sill option which was ideal for ensuring ease of accessibility and conformance with aged care regulations. Since completion, feedback from the developers has been extremely positive. The combination of high performance windows and careful glass selection has ensured excellent acoustic, weather and thermal performance across the project.