Airport Precinct Offices

Situated in Canberra’s recently developed airport precinct the Mongolo Drive offices are an excellent example of AWS’s unique approach to design and development.

AWS Fabricator Taylor’s Window Supplies have been involved in a number of the Canberra Airport precinct projects, commencing works within the Brindabella Business Park in 2007. When approached by Architects Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn to offer a structurally glazed solution for the Mongolo Drive project in a relatively short lead time Taylor’s were confident in their ability to deliver, despite no system existing within the Elevate™ Aluminium Systems range.

Taylor’s Window Supplies were quick to approach AWS for support on the project and so began a 12 week exercise to design, extrude, test and deliver a custom designed structural glazing solution for the project.

AWS maintains a constant drive to refine, improve and modernise its aluminium profiles to enhance good looks, performance and manufacturability. This dedication to making the best aluminium windows and doors has won AWS a loyal and growing following among architects, builders, homeowners and specifiers.

The project specification called for structurally glazed mullions in FrontGLAZE™ framing 102mm and 150mm frame widths. High on the developer’s priority list was the need to see certified test data to ensure the water performance and structural integrity of the system.

The AWS window and door testing laboratory is fully accredited and has one of the largest pressure booths in the industry. Weather conditions can be simulated through manipulation of air and water spray flow, and remote monitoring of air leakage and deflection of windows and doors is also possible. This laboratory ensures that Elevate™ Aluminium Systems can be tested and researched to ensure compliance with building codes and relevant industry standards.

Having developed a custom solution for the Mongolo Drive project AWS undertook a rigorous testing procedure to ensure the system would meet and exceed both Australian Standards and the clients expectations, guaranteeing excellent performance outcomes for the project. The testing process was documented on video and presented to the clients prior to large scale production of the system.

Once approved, the system was extruded by AWS and manufactured by Taylor’s Window Supplies for delivery within the 12 week time frame specified by the client.

This dynamic approach to product development underpins AWS’s business philosophy.

The structurally glazed system was desired by architects for this project for a number of reasons, first it gave greater flexibility in the façade design for the building. Second, the structure element in the mullion acts as an insulator and reduces the risk of internal condensation where double glazing is used. Double Glazing was used throughout the project to achieve the desired energy and acoustic outcomes for the project.