Invisible support Aluminium Systems profiles fabricated by Ellison's Aluminium

Queenstown offers spectacular mountain scenery and changeable alpine weather comes with the setting. Building a glass-fronted showroom in this location brings its own design imperatives, among which are aluminium systems that combine versatility with strong, discreet support.

When GWD Motor Group decided to build a new dealership in Queenstown, Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects asked Ellison's Aluminium to fabricate, fine-tune and install the external and internal joinery, says fabricator Mark Newall.

"Our company used a mix of architectural and commercial products from Aluminium Systems (ASL) to provide a custom joinery solution. Given the location and the use of the building there were a number of technical aspects to address.

"The Queenstown environment is prone to high wind gusts. To cope with this, Ellison's selected the ASL Commercial 150mm profiles rather than 100mm, providing extra strength but maintaining a presence that doesn't detract from the cars.

"In addition, the large Commercial sections fronting the dealership were created with a seismic channel, much like a frame within a frame, lined with rubber. This provides movement, or give, for the massive panes of glass in the event of any seismic activity. Another consideration was that the extended stretches of glazing are susceptible to contraction and expansion under the often extreme temperatures. The seismic channel provides leeway to prevent the glass from cracking.

"ASL's low-profile, free-running door frames allow easy movement of cars in and out of the building."

ASL is one of the largest aluminium joinery system suppliers to the Australasian construction industry. The company also supplies and supports a nationwide fabricator network that operates in residential, architectural and commercial markets.

For more information on Aluminium Systems, phone (09) 574 2900. Web: www.aslnz.co.nz.

To contact Ellison's Aluminium, Dunedin, phone (03) 474 0011. Email: dunedin@ellisonsalum.co.nz; Ellison's Aluminium, Cromwell, 0800 355 476 or (03) 445 0180. Email: cromwell@ellisonsalum.co.nz. Website: www.ellisonsalum.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas