Safe harbour

Just as the form of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club building is a defining feature, so too is the material palette. Copper roofing that will weather to a soft green patina was specified for the main building. This was supplied and installed by Copper & Zinc Link. The company also supplied and installed copper to several walls and the cafe area.

Marketing manager Amber Smith says copper was chosen for its durability as well as its colour.

"The copper coils are the Tecu Classic, supplied by KME. It is a material that can be applied to difficult or innovative architectural elements it can be shaped to the required forms."

Smith says the logistics of working on the island provided the biggest challenge.

"Most of the copper was fabricated on site," she says. "This meant we needed two containers and numerous shipments for all the material equipment and tools. We established a small work area that needed to be moved to a couple of different locations.

"At times, high winds proved hazardous for the team handling the plywood and long lengths of copper, and the work was temporarily halted. High temperatures also made the installation challenging, due to the reflective and conductive nature of the material."

Copper & Zinc Link, established in 2000, provides highly crafted metal works, including copper and zinc roofing, wall cladding and rainwater systems. The company also provides aluminium, painted or coated steel and stainless steel items and offers a custom fabrication service. The fabrication items include a full range of roofing and wall cladding panel systems that have hidden fixings and allow for thermal movement; rainwater systems, and in particular, half-round gutters; and custom-made flashings, vents, louvres and interior design items.

Smith says Copper & Zinc Link not only works on private residences and multi-residential dwellings, but specialises in commercial developments with distinctive architectural attributes.

To maintain quality standards, company director Kristian Skraem says the firm employs a team of foreign tradespeople with extensive training in this form of specialised cladding, to work alongside the Australian staff.

"Being foreigners, the team made the most of their island stay and enjoyed extensive diving trips to the reef," he says.

For details, contact Copper & Zinc Link, PO Box 382 Newport Beach, NSW 2106; workshop at 4/8 Taronga Pl, Mona Vale, NSW 2103, phone (02) 9986 0891, fax (02) 9986 0892. Email: info@copperandzinclink.com.au. Or visit the websites: www.copperandzinclink.com.au and www.tecu.com.

Story by: Trendsideas