Trend Windows (previously James Hardie Windows) Quantum™ range of windows and doors are a feature of the City Edge Development in the inner Canberra suburb of O’Connor. The development comprises 86 apartments in a three-storey development, 12 Balmain style terrace apartments and 25 Executive townhouses built on the site of the old MacPherson Court community buildings.
The City Edge Development is a joint venture between the ACT Community Housing Corporation (CHC) and builder CIC Pendon and integrates private, public and community housing throughout the site. The development has gone to great lengths to ensure that ‘social enclaves’ were not formed and that the social mix is representative of the wider community.
The standard finish of all of the apartments is the same including the properties to be retained for community housing. Each unit has for example, stainless steel appliances, including dishwasher and rangehood, laundries with dryers, carpet and curtains, and reverse cycle air conditioning. The apartments have also been designed with the intention that tenants may possibly be confined to a wheelchair. As such, some apartments feature height adjustable kitchen benches, sinks and hotplates; slide out pantries, electric automatic windows and entry doors; security alert systems and 920mm doorways.
An important aspect of the development is to ensure that a high standard was set with regard to adherence to sound environmentally sustainable development principals. Part of this has seen at least 85% of the MacPherson Court buildings and associated materials recycled as either road-base or backfill. The inclusion of solar assisted “wind back” street lighting where solar panels back feed the meter during daylight hours whilst using mains power at night and solar boosted central hot water systems. All properties incorporate passive solar design principals to achieve an average 4.5 star energy rating plus they have heat pumps for heating.
Due to the adherence to environmentally sustainable development the developers chose Quantum Windows for their efficient qualities. Director of CIC Pendon, Don Beaumont indicates “We chose Quantum Windows because of their superior qualities and efficiencies. The development has a number of energy efficient features as part of a National Demonstration Project.” Don added “We selected Quantum after assessing other products in the market. Not only was it a product that best assisted us to achieve the energy ratings in the building but the market that we were targeting expected products of superior quality. Quantum was not only efficient in its sealing and low air infiltration but aesthetically our clients would accept the smooth lines of the Quantum product.” Further Don said, “We have finished stage one and all units are now occupied and from the feedback, the residents are very happy with the product.”
Most of the apartments feature Quantum sliding windows and doors balanced up with Trend™ Wide Style Double Hung windows, Trend 64mm Awning and Casement windows and Aluminium Provincial Doors. The ability to capture the breeze to get cross flow ventilation was essential for the energy ratings.
CIC Pendon has bought a portion of the land and is building the townhouses and terraces on this. The apartments have a mix of 15 apartments retained by CHC, 15 owned by ACT Housing and the remaining 56 sold off the plan to private owners/investors.
The site is built around a central park theme where mature existing trees were retained or transplanted. The development also funded the construction of a demonstration wetland adjacent to the site in Sullivans Creek corridor to incorporate contemporary water quality treatment for stormwater drainage and to attract flora and fauna to area.
The development was designed by Cox Humphries Moss, Architects and had input from Masters Builders Association and Housing for Life Program, Hartley Lifecare Incorp, Transitional Accommodation Service and Koomarri Association.
