Porcelain panels from Maximum Australia were selected by architects Greenlight Design for lift lobby wall cladding during the refurbishment of a building in Brisbane.

The client Daisho engaged Greenlight Design to execute an extensive refurbishment project to all eight levels of the existing building located at 192 Ann Street, Brisbane. All common areas including the entry lobby, lift cars and amenities were upgraded as part of the refurbishment.

Maximum Fiandre Extralite Calacatta porcelain panels in four vein matched patterns as well as book matched panels were selected for the cladding work. Maximum met the necessary design and finishes requirement as an alternative to a natural Calacatta stone selection.

Greenlight Design chose the 3000 x 1500 x 6mm Maximum Calacatta porcelain panels in a polished finish for the entry lobby and lift cars to match Daisho’s expectations. Knowing the exact vein patterns enabled near perfect ‘vein’ and ‘book’ matching, developed during the design stage, ultimately enhancing the space and reducing waste.

The panels were used to clad all the external walls, reception centre in the lift lobby and internal lining within the lift cars. The selection of Maximum Calacatta porcelain panels enabled the architects to overcome the limiting constraints on overall thicknesses and weight loadings of wall panelling experienced in refurbishments of existing buildings and lift cars. This particular product provided the architects all the benefits of traditional slab marble without compromising on any aspect.

The architects were able to achieve savings in material usage as well as ease of installation with the use of Maximum Calacatta porcelain panels while meeting the desired finish expectations of the client.

Weighing just 14.67kg/m², Maximum Calacatta porcelain panels could be handled easily during installation and manoeuvred deftly in the narrow corridors compared to heavier natural material. In addition to the lightweight panels reducing lift car tare, the clients also benefitted from the cost savings achieved over marble or engineered stones.