The quality of the Australian aged care system has been under the spotlight in recent years, with increased calls to establish an active link between elderly residents and their local community. Queenslea, a newly built multi-generational precinct for seniors in Claremont, Western Australia, has spectacularly showcased these improvements, with Rondo’s Wall and Ceiling Systems, Sound-Rated Access Panels, and Finishing Sections being key components in the development.
The development comprises of a 6-storey residential aged care home, which includes serviced apartments for seniors, a wellness centre, and a children's early learning centre where intergenerational activities between elderly residents and children are frequent. This is the first time that an intergenerational structured onsite program has been developed in Perth, modelled similarly to the successful programs observed in the USA, which effectively connect and integrate aged care services with the broader community.
Architectural firm, Hassell Studio, considered the impact design can have on quality of life and delicately adopted innovative design principles that successfully 'de-institutionalise’ and invigorate the aged care sector environment, which provides seniors with equality of dignity, comfort, inclusion, and companionship.
Rondo were appointed to support contractors EXZO with specific installation requirements of the project. Some of these requirements created hurdles during installation, particularly for the external walls, internal cavity sliders, and the external bulkhead to glazing. The Rondo Technical Team provided guidance and support which was invaluable to EXZO in overcoming these hurdles.
For the Aged care segment of the development, Rondo were confronted with obstacles relating to the walls and openings where 92mm studs were initially specified, however due to the wall heights, and deflection criteria of H/360, Rondo specifications addressed external brick veneer walls by using stud detailing of 150mm for walls and door openings.
For internal cavity sliders, 76mm Duplex Studs were specified which removes the need for boxed or back-to-back stud configurations and allows reduced stud centres. Duplex Studs hold a greater load capacity than standard stud configurations achieving 900mm & 1800mm openings, which means fewer products to install allowing for quicker installations.
Rondo engineers designed 92mm Steel Studs for external bulkheads to support long runs of glazing. At the side of openings, a boxed stud is required when fixed to a door jamb. In Queenslea, the contractor used the Rondo DUPLEX® Stud, eliminating the need for a second stud, and, for the stud to be boxed, as opposed to standard studs, where holes are drilled out so the jamb of the door can be fixed to the stud.
The delivery of stock was effectively managed by John’s Building Supplies, who purchased, stored, and allocated a majority of the products for the project from their distribution centre, providing significant benefit to contractor EXZO as products were delivered direct-to-site from their distribution centre.
Rondo was proud to work with builder Multiplex, contractor EXZO and distributor John’s Building Supplies, overcoming technical and stock challenges to ensure delivery of a quality project.
Featured Rondo Products
STEEL STUD & TRACK WALL FRAMING SYSTEM
MAXIframe® EXTERNAL WALL FRAMING SYSTEM
DUPLEX® INTERNAL FRAMING SYSTEM
KEY-LOCK® CONCEALED CEILING SYSTEM
XPRESS® DRYWALL GRID CEILING SYSTEM
PANTHER® SOUND RATED ACCESS PANELS
EXANGLE® FINISHING SECTIONS
Key Contributors
Architect: Hassell Studio
Builder: Multiplex
Contractor: EXZO