Sitting on a nondescript section of Sydney’s Parramatta Road, the completed Auburn Power Centre cuts an imposing figure for passing motorists. With its outstretched roof and sleek facade finished with Alucobond, the shopping and bulky goods centre has become one of the city’s most eyecatching retail buildings.

“The Auburn Power Centre, due to its unique design and size, is among the most exciting projects with which we’ve been involved,” said Bruce Rayment, CEO, Alucobond Architectural, the local Alucobond distributor.

Stretching across a 4.5 hectare site, the Auburn Power Centre was always destined to be different.

Instead of the grey slabs of concrete one might expect from a bulky goods warehouse, Melbourne based architects The Buchan Group made use of granite, glass and cascading water in a design that included a four metre high water wall, three ponds and spectacular lighting. Construction of the three level building, comprising over 30 specialty shops and modern eating facilities, began in June 2005.

A diverse range of construction methods were utilised in the ambitious project, including reinforced concrete, post tensioning, pre cast elements, structural steel, curtain wall systems and specialised skylight arrangements. A post tensioned concrete frame with steel frame and roof was installed over first floor, while the external finishes were painted precast concrete, combined with steel, FC sheet and of course, aluminium cladding.

It was the architects that specified the use of Alucobond aluminium composite material for the project. The durable finish, excellent rigidity and light weight making it the ideal cladding material for the main road location.

Alucobond was employed to complete the soffit and edging of the centre’s extensive roof and the radiant facade, with fabrication undertaken by long time Alucobond installer Panadell Architectural Cladding Systems for builder Reed Constructions beginning in March and October 2006. Due to the sheer height of the roof, a 120 ft boom lift was brought in to install the large soffit panels.

Panadell’s managing director, Claus Maarschalk said the Alucobond product provided a reliable and economical solution for meeting the Auburn Power Centre’s complex design requirements.

“Ten years ago, a project like this would likely have utilised a material such as compressed fibre cement. But the Alucobond panels complemented the modern feel of the building and proved to be both a cost effective and low maintenance choice,” Maarschalk said.

“Also, with a strong supply of local stock, Alucobond Architectural were able to supply and deliver the materials efficiently and effectively. On a project of this scale, we could ill afford to be left waiting for materials to arrive from overseas.”

Alucobond’s light weight and large panel sizes were ideally suited to the Auburn Power Centre’s intricate design. The project specified 5000 x 1575 mm panels, 4 mm thick with a PVF2 paint finish.

To produce the striking and welcoming facade that the architects had envisioned for the building, Brilliant Metallic was chosen as the predominant colour for the panels with Cream employed as a secondary colour.

According to Alucobond Architectural’s National Design and Technical Manager Bill Kerr, “The combination of surface finish, durability and flexibility of the Alucobond product all contributed to making the building a shimmering landmark on what is one of Sydney’s major roadways.”

The finished result received universal approval from the builder, the installer, and indeed the public when the completed Auburn Power Centre opened its doors in October 2006. The retail complex is now home to successful high profile tenants.

Architecture & Design Team

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