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Refurbished Brisbane corporate office installs Green Rated polished concrete floors

Project Background

Brisbane office with sustainable polished concrete floorsStockland is one of the largest diversified property groups in Australia who own, manage and develop shopping centres, logistics centres and business parks, office assets, residential communities, and retirement living villages. Most recently Stockland has undertaken a major refurbishment of their Head Office building in Brisbane, with a primary focus on achieving a Green Star Rating.

Specification

  • Environmentally friendly/Green Star Rating
  • Achieve P1 slip rating in the main office areas
  • Achieve P3 slip rating in the kitchen and other wet areas

Scope

  • 1,100m2
  • Transitions Mechanically Polished Concrete
  • Partial exposure of aggregate
  • Satin gloss level

Objectives & Requirements

The overarching objective for the flooring material in this office space refurbishment was that ability of the product to be finished in line with the Green Rating requirements. Additionally the client required the floor to achieve a P1 slip rating in the main office areas and a P3 slip rating in the kitchen and other wet areas.

As this project was not a new build the client also required the existing flooring materials to be removed, tile and carpet, in order to make way for the new finish.

Due to a compressed time schedule and the necessity for all trades to work in with each other, all flooring works were to be completed outside of normal business hours. Furthermore they had to be able to be walked on during business hours as other trades where scheduled to complete their works.

Chosen Product

The chosen product for the refurbished Stockland office space was Transitions Mechanically Polished Concrete. This flooring product was selected for its ability to fulfil the Green Star rating requirements as well as its suitability to a commercial office environment and importantly was created by re-using the existing slab.

Prior to commencing the installation process of the polished concrete floor, Transitions were required to remove the tile and carpet adhesive present on the concrete slab, followed by an extensive amount of patching to the substrate. This was as a result of a jackhammer being used by the contractor in the initial demolition processes, to remove the existing flooring materials, which resulted in extensive damage to the slab.

Once the substrate was rehabilitated to a suitable condition, Transitions commenced the process of installing mechanically polished concrete using low VOC and full Green Star compliant products, sealers and chemicals to remain in line with the clients objectives and requirements.

In order to achieve the specified slip ratings throughout the nominated areas a satin finish was the recommended gloss level. To compliment this, a more industrial finish, the existing slab was ground to attain a partial exposure of aggregate.

Outcome

Taking into account the compressed timeframe and work conditions on this project, Transitions completed the project within 2.5weeks.

All requirements specifications and client requirements set down on this floor were achieved by Transitions, however the official Green Star Rating is still unannounced.

PDT Architecture chooses Transitions Polished Concrete Floors for new office in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane

Project Background

PDT architecture recently contracted Transitions Polishing and Grinding to install an environmentally friendly mechanically polished concrete floor in their new offices located in the McLachlan and Ann Development in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. This polished concrete floor would become a contributing factor to the architecture firm submitting their project to the Green Building Council of Australia with the aim of achieving a 5-Green Star Rating. The offices, which occupy the complete third and fourth levels of the building, has Transitions mechanically polished concrete floors in all common areas and hallways. Combined with fantastic interior design and furniture choices, the new office space is contemporary, edgy and above all functional.

PDT Architecture chooses Transitions Polished Concrete floors for new office in Fortitude Valley BrisbaneClient Objective

The client wanted a floor that was Green Star Accredited, to contribute to achieving a 5-Green Star rating for their new office space. Furthermore, the client aimed to achieve an industrial look and feel.

Client Requirements

In addition to fulfilling the abovementioned objectives, achieving a slip rating of R9 and R10 in the common areas and kitchen areas, respectively, was imperative for the chosen flooring product to be installed in the new PDT office space.

Chosen Product

PDT Architecture selected Transitions mechanically polished concrete floors with a satin finish and partial exposure of aggregate for their new office in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. As gloss levels and slip ratings directly contradict one another, the higher the gloss the lower the slip rating, choosing a satin finish enabled the client to achieve their required slip ratings of R9 and R10. The gloss level chosen also contributed to achieving the industrial, rustic look. This is in addition to a partial exposure of aggregate.

Transitions worked closely with PDT Architecture to assist in delivering an environmentally friendly flooring product. With prior knowledge and experience in green star rated projects (Click here to read more about the Hillend Ecohouse in Brisbane - Choosing a Green Alternative - environmentally friendly polished concrete floors by Transitions), the Transitions team recommended Transitions mechanically polished concrete in correlation with low VOC sealers and floor hardeners to achieve this goal. This was further aided by utilising the existing slab, which meant that no added materials had to be transported into the project and no additional weight was added to the building. PDT Architecture are targeting a 5-Star Green Star rating for their new office space, of which the concrete floor is a contributing factor towards the credit requirements of the rating.

Overall Outcome

The Transitions mechanically polished concrete floors installed in the new PDT Architecture office space in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane met the objectives and requirements set down by the client. Feedback received by Transitions from this project was that the overall service and product achieved, exceeded their expectations.

Project Photo Gallery

Create a Stylish Outdoor Floor with Honed Concrete

Honed concrete is an external flooring product that has the look and feel of a contemporary designer floor, the versatility of a polished concrete floor and the functionality of a hard wearing, long lasting outdoor floor. In addition, honed concrete is slip resistant and can withstand the harsh Australian climate, whilst maintaining its colour and stylish feel.

Honed concrete can be installed on either a new or existing slab of concrete and is ideal for both residential and commercial projects.

When laying a new slab of concrete you have the flexibility to choose from a vast range of colours, stone types and the opportunity to design the floor to your exact requirements.

Honed concrete is commonly used in the home around pools, on pathways, driveways and in outdoor entertainment areas. In the commercial environment, honed concrete floor is suitable for all public access areas, including walkways, staircases and foyer areas.

The Transitions difference is always evident in the final product. Transitions go the extra step to refine your honed concrete floor bringing out the natural colouring of the stones, which will not fade and distort over time.

Once refined, your floor is sealed with a quality penetrative sealer, that works by absorbing into the concrete pores and act as protection against the harsh Australian climate. With little maintenance, your floor should last between 5-7 years before a re-coat is required.

Outdoor Honed Concrete Flooring Brisbane Outdoor Honed Concrete Flooring Cairns

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Project Spotlight: Bermuda Point Commercial Office Precinct, Gold Coast

Bermuda Point is a commercial office precinct situated at Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast. With over 1,500m2 of external flooring, Transitions were contracted to rectify the concrete floors throughout the development that had been previously installed by another contractor.

Firstly, Transitions set out to cut, refine and level the concrete floor throughout the premises. The honed concrete floor contained 4 colours, with a mixture of crushed marble, marble and quartz and different coloured granite stones.

The external areas with which honed concrete was installed were walkways, the building entrance/main foyer, cafes and various courtyards spread around the development. In addition Transitions completed polished concrete in several of the internal areas, which included cafes, lift and lobby areas, corridors and bathrooms.

Outdoor Honed Concrete Flooring Gold CoastOutdoor Honed Concrete Flooring Gold CoastOutdoor Honed Concrete Flooring Gold Coast

Project Highlight: Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre

Project Background

The Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre is the worlds first facility dedicated to the development of elite surfers and coaches.

The two level centre of excellence features state of the art education facilities, surf specific gym, auditorium, offices, testing and treatment room, accommodation for 22 and has been designed in consultation with the Australian Sport Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

Client Objective

Hutchinson Builders and Surfing Australia were very methodical about the design of the polished concrete floors in this state of the art surfing performance centre. The main objective was to install a low maintenance, high abrasion resistant floor that was within budget and suited the contemporary building design.

 

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Client Requirements

The design of the floor was focused around the following key components - function, maintenance, aesthetics and budget. The design of the floors also had to consider the large amount of foot traffic that would periodically filter through the facility.

High abrasion resistance - this was essential due to sand being walked through the centre. This continuous abrasion from the sand reduces the life of a surface coating

Low maintenance - the concrete floors were to be easily maintained with low ongoing maintenance costs

Lifecycle - the concrete floor product chosen needed to have a long life span

Aesthetics - the client wanted a floor that complimented the buildings design and contemporary finishes

Chosen Product

The client chose Transitions Polished Concrete with full exposure of the aggregate throughout the internal areas of the centre, including the foyer, hallways, kitchen and dining areas, offices and recreational areas.

 

Polished Concrete Floors Surfing Australia High Performance Centre Gold Coast Polished Concrete Floor Surfing Australia Gold Coast

Transitions Mechanically Polished Concrete (MPC) was chosen for the foyer and hallways as these would receive the highest traffic, most likely with large amounts of sand tracked through, therefore requiring a higher level of abrasion resistance. Transitions MPC has a high abrasion resistance, which ultimately means that the sand will have little impact on the surface and gloss level, in turn the maintenance would be minimal and cost beneficial.

In the kitchen and common areas, to conserve on the budget, Transitions Polished Concrete was installed. This system uses sealers that are easy to maintain and low cost to service. As these areas will only be used when camps are in place, they will experience less traffic, therefore abrasion resistance and wear was not as critical in design. However, the sealers chosen for the polished concrete floors in these areas are very serviceable, requiring only a buff if the surface begins to show scuff marks or wear.

 

Overall Outcome

Transitions were active in the design process to ensure the brief outlined by the client was clearly understood. This enabled the Transitions team to install two very functional, low maintenance floors into this world-class facility, the first of its kind.

The High Performance Centre was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister, Treasurer Wayne Swan and Federal Member for Richmond, the Hon Justine Elliot.

The polished concrete floors were very well received by the clients and as you can see they really brought out the design features of this fantastic centre.

 

Polished Concrete Floors Surfing Australia High Performance Centre Gold Coast Polished Concrete Floor Surfing Australia Gold Coast