The newly constructed Windsor Community Centre serves as a central hub for local activities and gatherings and is a community cornerstone designed to foster connection and inclusivity.

A key element in achieving the goal of inclusivity is the incorporation of accessible features, including Moddex’s Assistrail disability handrails and Conectabal commercial balustrades. These essential safety components not only meet regulatory requirements but also enhance the overall user experience for people of all abilities.

A key feature of the building was its flood-resilient construction, ensuring long-term usability for future generations. Moddex’s prefabricated modular products played a crucial role in assisting with this objective, providing a compliant balustrade system that combined aesthetic appeal with long-term durability.

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The challenge

The building exterior had a complex, curved design and the deck presented significant installation challenges, requiring a very focused approach to ensure balustrades could be installed while meeting safety regulations. The decking boards were curved, while the bearers underneath were stepped. This structural variation required a balustrade solution that could seamlessly integrate with the site conditions while guaranteeing compliance, functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Traditional handrail and balustrade systems lacked the necessary flexibility to accommodate the curved sections of the building. Using existing solutions would have required significant on-site modifications, which could have led to costly delays and complications, potentially impacting the project timeline. Moddex, however, offered a modular and adaptable solution that could be integrated with the unique geometries of the building.

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Moddex solution

Due to the complexity of the curved sections and the challenge of attaching the balustrades to these sections, Moddex worked closely with the project’s architect, Complete Urban, during the design phase to ensure everything fit perfectly on-site during installation.

Moddex’s capability to do a detailed site scan to capture the intricacies of the deck’s geometry, meant the handrails and balustrades were precisely aligned with the curved decking sections to ensure a final compliant system.

Our products offered the required load ratings and stability, ensuring both user safety and structural integrity of the balustrade system.

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Moddex worked with construction company A Dart & Co to install the following products:

CB30 and CB35 Conectabal commercial balustrades: Installed in elevated and curved areas to provide a sturdy and compliant barrier, ensuring user safety. These balustrades were C5 load-rated to meet Australian standards, specifically Class C5 of the Australian Standard 1170.1-2002, which applies to barrier systems in environments prone to overcrowding. The C5 crowd-loading balustrade is designed to withstand higher load strengths, ensuring that it can handle large gatherings in public spaces.

AR10 and AR20 Assistrail Disability Handrails: Used throughout the exterior of the facility to ensure compliance with AS1428 standards, meeting all regulatory requirements for inclusive design.

The balustrades were supplied in a powdercoated Monument finish, chosen for its durability and resistance to weathering, making the system suitable for the community centre’s environmental conditions.

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Results and benefits

Time savings: Working with the architect in the early stages of the project to understand and plan for the project complexities saved up to 30% in project time.

Less time on site: Thanks to the innovative design of our pre-engineered handrail and balustrade systems, we are at least 50% faster on-site compared to any other barrier system.

Enhanced durability: When it comes to longevity, Moddex handrails outperform prefabricated options, offering exceptional durability and a low lifetime cost of ownership. Through rigorous testing – including salt/acid fog exposure and sinusoidal vibration tests – the handrails and barriers will withstand the wear and tear associated with this public space.

Reduced maintenance requirements: Moddex products are rigorously tested to meet the highest quality standards, so there are minimal ongoing maintenance costs. This means long-term cost savings and minimal maintenance disruptions, ensuring the Windsor Community Centre remains functional and safe for years to come.

Project details

Project: Windsor Community Centre

Location: QLD

Architect: Complete Urban

Construction: A Dart & Co

Products Used:

Assistrail® Disability Handrails - AR10, AR20
Conectabal® Commercial Balustrades - CB30, CB35

Architecture & Design Team

Moddex

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