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Is there a heightened awareness and demand for the
role of natural light compared to even a decade ago?
As time marches on technical advances in materials
allow designers more freedom. Windows of a
restricted size, only four years ago for example, can
now be full width and height and probably exceed the
thermal performance of that much smaller window.
There are many opportunities with new developments
and technology available with glass. We’re seeing
radical new designs thanks to the modulation of
facades and performance glazing that has a huge
impact on amenity.
What level interaction did you have with Viridian on
the O’Grady St. apartments?
There are quite stringent standards for new builds
to meet the 6-Star energy rating. To achieve that we
worked with Viridian and an independent energy
rating company Energy Lab. We performed a round
of testing of various glazing systems that would
deliver the best results and to better the required
6-star rating.
When do you begin this level of consultation with a
supplier such as Viridian?
Almost from the very start, it’s not an afterthought
at all. Once we began sketching out the possibilities
we were on the telephone to ensure what we were
evolving was a possibility. This happens from the
outset and when we’re matching frame types to glass
size for example.
Do you learn from the contestants as well?
I’d be the first to admit that I don’t know everything.
I love seeing knew things and that’s part of the
excitement of the program. I have the luxury of
overseeing all of them and I say this about every
series and none more so than this latest at O’Grady
Street. If I could cherry-pick a few items or features
from each apartment I would have the best apartment
ever made. You could look at any number of the
elements in O’Grady St, such as the glass floors the
girls included, or the timber paneling, the polished
concrete, or Steve and Chantelle’s quirky design. If
you could bring all of those together, wow, the result
would be phenomenal, but individually they remain
fantastic apartments in their own right.
WE’RE SEEING
RADICAL NEW
DESIGNS THANKS TO
THE MODULATION
OF FACADES AND
PERFORMANCE
GLAZING THAT HAS
A HUGE IMPACT ON
AMENITY.
Julian Brenchley