Modular Homes, NSW

The Challenge

In New South Wales, modular homes are gaining popularity for their stylish, architectural designs and affordability.

AJC Modular are redefining the perception of modular homes from basic structures to architecturally designed homes that people can be proud of.

The company has been in the modular building industry for 12 years and focuses on creating architecturally designed and affordable modular homes that surprise people with their design quality.

“Modular homes are actually a more affordable product compared to your traditional type of build, it’s just a better bang for your buck,” said Andrew Copley of AJC Modular.

“We’re able to streamline everything, build everything off-site, and save a lot on costs where you don’t get that compared to a traditional home.”

AJC Modular are also tackling affordability and sustainability by using innovative building techniques like Bondor’s Insulated Sandwich Panels (ISP) to streamline construction, reduce costs, and create homes that are both aesthetically pleasing and sustainable.

“We build with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) exclusively from Bondor; we’ve particularly chosen to do that for (the panels) insulation and acoustic property values,” Andrew said.

The Solution

Bondor’s SolarSpan® insulated roofing panels are AJC Modular’s go-to solution for their range of modular residential home designs.

The Burley home is a 10m x 6m modular design that challenges everything people think they know about modular housing. It’s designed to create a luxury feel with an open-span home that’s 6m wide, giving customers a spacious and impressive living environment.

AJC Modular’s goal was to create something that would genuinely surprise people when they walk in – a home that looks and feels nothing like the traditional modular building.

“I wanted to create a luxury feel throughout the homes, really separating us from your standard modular product,” Andrew said. “People are choosing to live in these as a permanent option, so let’s get that home feeling in there.”

The Barossa building—AJC Modular’s largest legally transportable modular home at 16m x 4.2m—represents a significant leap in modular home design.

“When customers step inside, they immediately notice the impact of the extra width. You straight away see just how much you can do with this design, massive living area, full-size kitchen, breakfast bar and a table to sit down,” Andrew said.

The Waratah is another standout design in AJC Modular’s lineup, featuring a signature covered Alfresco area that’s perfect for barbecues or enjoying a nice outdoor view.

Inside, the Waratah boasts an open plan layout with a stunning timber banner feature screen that adds a touch of sophistication. It is envisioned as an ideal home for a couple or a single person, creating a space that feels both intimate and spacious.

“Sustainability is paramount in AJC Modular as a company. So that’s why we’ve chosen to use Bondor’s Structural Insulated Panels. They’re highly efficient and they’ve got great acoustic properties.

“The product itself is it’s the best in the country. It’s the best for a reason, and that’s why we use it,” Andrew said.

Manufactured in Australia by Bondor, SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch and high thermal efficiency.

Moorland Homestead, NSW

The Challenge

The rural Australian bushland setting of Moorland in New South Wales’ Mid-Coast region, with its cattle grazing and rolling hills, makes a particularly attractive place to live.

The location’s idyllic rural character, however, presented challenges and opportunities for Fraser Lyne of Fraser Lyne Constructions when building a sprawling family home,  particularly in terms of access, transportation, and site logistics.

Situated on top of a hill with expansive views across a 200-acre property, Fraser and the construction team faced particular challenges with the transportation and handling of exceptionally long 22.4 metre Bondor SolarSpan® insulated roofing panels.

SolarSpan® panels were perfectly suited for this build, offering high R Value energy-efficiency and the long spans needed for the roof of the large country homestead. The all-in-one roofing, insulation and ceiling panels, featuring COLORBOND steel finishes, also  eliminated the need for additional structural supports and extra layers required in traditional roofing.

However, the rural site’s topography and narrow access presented immediate logistical hurdles, with the team uncertain whether the extendable truck could navigate the site’s gate and challenging terrain.

Manufacturing the long spanning panels also represented a technical milestone for Bondor’s manufacturing facility in Sydney. At 22.4 metres – the longest panels ever produced on-site – the Bondor team had to follow specialised handling techniques to ensure structural integrity.

The critical concern was maintaining the panels’ composite structure during lifting, transportation, and unloading, with potential damage presenting a substantial risk to the project’s success.

The Solution

To mitigate these on-site and manufacturing challenges, the construction and factory teams needed to come up with some innovative solutions.

A key challenge discussed was accessing the property with the extendable truck carrying the 22.4-metre-long panels.

“We’ve got to get them from down there up to here, and I just don’t know if he’s going to make it through that gate down there,” Fraser said.

As a backup plan, Fraser organised a PackBoy from Cladboy Australia, a modular lifting system designed for safely handling full packs of insulated panels, to manually transport panels if the truck couldn’t access the site.

“They’re specifically designed for this sort of transportation and this product. So, we’re going to chuck it on the front of a franna (crane) and just walk them up the driveway and park them up here, ready for installation next week,” he said.

Fraser’s ‘plan B’ paid off with the panels successfully delivered on site intact.

Manufacturing the 22.4 metre SolarSpan® panels also proved a challenge for the Bondor team. This was the longest panel length ever manufactured at the Sydney factory, requiring meticulous precision and careful planning to successfully produce the exceptionally long spanning panels.

While the machine could easily produce panels up to 25 to 27m long, the biggest test was in safely handling such extensive panels without compromising their structural integrity.

The primary concerns were lifting the panels off the production line without causing damage, ensuring the composite structure remained intact, and managing transportation and unloading at the construction site to avoid stressing or breaking the panels.

“We’ve trained the team over a number of projects now to be able to do this effectively and efficiently,” said Bary Mitchell, State Manager Bondor NSW.

Producing the 22.4 metre SolarSpan® panels was notable not just for its manufacturing challenge, but also for its practical benefits in construction. SolarSpan® offers longer spans with fewer joins, high R Value energy-efficiency and reduced need for structural framing.

Manufactured in Australia by Bondor, SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch and high thermal efficiency. 

East Lindfield Art Deco Renovation, Sydney

The Challenge

An Art Deco property in leafy East Lindfield on Sydney’s upper North Shore has proved it’s possible to preserve architectural heritage while embracing modern, sustainable design.

Initially tasked with a full rebuild, Red Cedar Constructions’ Garrett Clark instead saw the opportunity to create something truly unique – combining a modern Passive House design while preserving the original home’s stunning Art Deco façade.

“The client’s original spec to us was to do a knock-down rebuild, but after collaborating with the architect, Envirotecture, we discussed that we didn’t need to”, explained Garrett.

“We could save on the up-front carbon (from a full rebuild). We said to the client, if we can do it for the same budget as a knock-down rebuild, let’s renovate it.”

Having previously teamed up to build Sydney’s first ever Passive House, Red Cedar and Envirotecture set about producing a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary design, maintaining the property’s original character at the front and adding a spacious new extension at the rear.

Bondor’s SolarSpan® insulated roofing panels would provide the perfect solution to the complex challenges the team faced – ensuring high R Value energy-efficiency and allowing a frame-less install that would maximise height within council restrictions.

The Solution

Walking through the front door, the results of this stunning renovation are immediately obvious. The front preserves the home’s classic Art Deco features and transitions down the hallway to the light-filled, modern extension.

“We were able to keep the original staircase, which was great – nice curve, beautiful balustrading, lovely stained-glass window”, said Garrett.

“Upstairs, we kept three bedrooms, en-suite and bathroom – real traditional layout – and downstairs is another bedroom and a multi-function room that they’re using as a music room and gym.”

Having removed the original rear section of the house, the team created a striking rectangular extension characterised by its clean lines, expansive roof plane and high ceiling.

“These are four-metre-high ceilings. We had height restrictions with council, but by using Bondor’s SolarSpan® we didn’t need any framing, so didn’t lose height in that.

“It’s a single span all the way across that gave us the R Value and air tightness all in one go. And it took about four hours to sheet the whole thing, so it’s quick to install as well. It’s a great product”, Garrett added.

The linear aesthetic and clean lines are equally apparent from the outside, with the roof, gutters and solar panels concealed to create a sense of harmony with the Art Deco style at the front.

“The parapets are mostly hiding the solar panels because Bondor SolarSpan® is a low-profile product. With the 200mm thickness we’re able to keep the depth quite shallow, as opposed to having a pitched roof.”

The completed renovation is a successful merging of the old and the new, seamlessly blending with the heritage streetscape while adding the thermal efficiency and liveability of Passive House design.

Manufactured in Australia by Bondor, SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch and high thermal efficiency. 

Berowra Heights Passive House, Sydney

The Challenge

Nestled in the leafy suburb of Berowra Heights, this innovative home designed by Envirotecture and built by Red Cedar Constructions represents a masterful blend of sustainable design and site-specific architecture.

The clients, John and Prue, sought a home that would maximise the potential of the corner block, characterised by Sydney sandstone just 100 millimetres beneath the soil.

John and Prue wanted to build the home on a single level. Due to the this and the sloping block, a by-product was the ability to create a storage area, a workshop for John and an area for 30KL of rainwater storage under the single level home. 

To address the site’s constraints and the clients’ desires, Trent Clark and the Red Cedar Constructions team implemented a Passive House approach, noting the project would reach “premium” Passive House certification. This meant incorporating double-glazed windows, an airtight construction method, and high-performance insulation.

Bondor’s prefabricated insulated SolarSpan® long-spanning roofing panels were a crucial component in achieving this, allowing for complete air-tightness and offering a 4.85 R Value.

The result is a home that not only meets the clients’ functional requirements but also provides exceptional thermal efficiency and a strong connection to the surrounding bush land.

Photos: Jonathan Cohen Photography

The Solution

The completed 4-bedroom home was designed to blend natural materials with a minimalist aesthetic. The home’s skillion roof is a standout feature, with its dramatic, extended lines creating a striking visual impact from the street.

The roof was constructed using 200mm SolarSpan® structural insulated roofing panels, with the entire 300m2 roof installed in just five hours.

Trent said the SolarSpan® panels offered multiple benefits, including high insulation, an almost airtight roof line, and can be installed as fully finished system that doesn’t require painting.

“It’s basically just one large structural insulated panel by Bondor that we just plonked in place,” he said.

“Underneath the eaves, we don’t need to paint it. It’s a fully finished system.”

The design prioritised creating an extremely well-insulated and airtight environment, with Bondor panels playing a crucial role in achieving Passive House standards.

“Because of Bondor, we actually are able to get a really well airtight home because of the fact that it’s just so easy to airtight the actual roof line,” Trent said.

“This home will become an accredited Passive House. We’re probably going to end up at Passive House “Premium”, because it’s such a well-insulated and such an airtight home, with 0.37 ach (air change per hour).”

The extended roof shelters another key feature of the home, an expansive 80m2 spotted gum timber deck that wraps around the home, offering stunning valley views and creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.

“You can look over the valley and really enjoy this afternoon here, just with a nice bit of shady Bondor roof over the top of you,” he said.

Manufactured in Australia by Bondor, SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch and high thermal efficiency.

NOTE: This project a certified Passive House.

Prefabricated Home Extension, Melbourne

The Challenge

While a cosy triple fronted brick veneer house in Bulleen Victoria brought back fond memories of their childhood homes, Damien Crough and his wife knew that as a home for their family of six it would be a bit of a squeeze.

The size the property presented the perfect opportunity for a modern, no-fuss extension that balanced nostalgia with the practical requirements for their family.

No sooner had the family decided to undertake this project than Damien run into an old university friend and renowned architect, Paul Catalano from PC Architects.

“This really was the opportunity to build the house we had always wanted,” Damien said.

“When I told Paul about the project, he was all in. He got really heavily involved with the design, and we worked collaboratively to really make the most of the Northern aspect of the rear.

“For us it was important to keep it classic with simple, timeless materials—concrete, steel, timber, glass.”

As CEO & Founding Director of prefabAUS, Damien knew the perfect solution was Bondor’s prefabricated insulated SolarSpan® long-spanning roofing panels to hit the brief for a sleek, contemporary and timeless extension.  

The Solution

“We’ve used Bondor products in other projects. As soon as they’re up, the job is done. It’s the perfect low-maintenance building option that shortens construction timelines and provides unparalleled insulation to a home,” Damien said.

“Everything in prefabricated construction comes in a pre-manufactured panel off-site that slips in and bolts or screws together very quickly on-site.

“The main benefits of this approach to construction are speed, performance, insulation, and using quality products that are made in a factory, and made for better tolerances.”

Damien engaged Advanced Offsite Group, specialist builders in modular, prefabricated, and panelised construction systems for the extension. They used 5m long SolarSpan® panels for the walls and roof of the extension, installing the panels after pouring the slab and setting up portal frames.  

“We stood the whole structure up in two days. The carpenters who helped us assemble it couldn’t believe it.

“Once installed I didn’t have to paint it. The panels come finished in COLORBOND® Steel in Surfmist, so as soon as you put it up, you’re done. You don’t have to paint it or touch it again,” he said.

Thermal performance and efficiency was another key benefit, with 150mm of insulation integrated into the all-in-one wall and roof panels.

The result is Damien uses just one small air conditioning unit for heating and cooling, demonstrating SolarSpan®’s superior insulation properties.

The final extension introduced a brand-new kitchen to the property with five bedrooms, as well as a long-awaited backyard pool and entertaining area which ties together an idyllic indoor-outdoor lifestyle.  

“We promised the kids a pool in our last house. With our renovation we step out of our bedroom and we’re around the pool enjoying each other’s company,” Damien said.

“The Bondor panel aesthetics contribute to our outdoor retreat, and with its low maintenance requirements our backyard will be looking immaculate for years to come.”  

Manufactured in Australia by Bondor, SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch and high thermal efficiency.

prefabAUS is the peak body for Australia’s prefabricated construction industry, specialising in educating and identifying innovation in prefabrication technology and design.

Rocksberg Retreat, Queensland

The Challenge

For newlyweds Gemma and Christian Morris, the cherry on top of their honeymoon was stumbling across the block of land that would become their family home.

Located in the Morten Bay region an hour north of Brisbane, the rural setting of Rocksberg had everything the young family needed: a little peace and quiet, room to grow, and amenities a short drive away.

While starting quite literally from the ground up might be daunting for some, the Morris family had a trick of two up their sleeve.  

Christian comes from a family with deep roots in construction. His father Brett has been building homes for three decades, and Christian has followed in his footsteps, now working as father and son for Brett Morris Homes. Taking ‘a labour of love’ to whole new level, Gemma and Christian combined their know-how and experience to plan out and construct their dream home.

After the ‘quintessential Queensland lifestyle’ of indoor-outdoor living, they knew there was no compromise when it came to the roofing that would tie the space together.

Bondor’s SolarSpan® insulated, long spanning roof panels gave Gemma and Christian the right balance between style and comfort to create a space that would shelter their new family.

The Solution

“To us it was important to have a space that felt as open as possible from the minute we walked in. We wanted seamless integration between the indoor and outdoor spaces, not only in terms of how the space opened up but in terms of comfort,” Gemma said.

With an impressive 420m2 footprint, Gemma and Christian’s dream home blends multiple design styles, creating a unique aesthetic that complements the pair perfectly.

Always envisioning themselves in a low-set brick veneer fronted home, the finished home uses a Hampton-style colour palette as a base, adding Mediterranean and Palm Springs elements, with Tuscan rock strategically incorporated throughout to enhance the design without overwhelming it.

Boasting a generous interior with 5 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, the large Bondor SolarSpan® alfresco area is, in Gemma’s opinion, is one of the best features of the home.

“Roofing and foundations are the crux of what makes a home. We have used SolarSpan® because it is the cover for changing climates,” she said.

“With our SolarSpan® roofing we’ve been able to use the outdoor as much as the indoor. In the warmer months we’re staying cool and during winter we can still enjoy our outdoor space.

“The skillion roof and insulation keeps us comfortable year-round.”

With a growing family, Gemma and Christian already spend Sunday afternoons watching their children play in the backyard from under their Bondor SolarSpan® alfresco deck. In the years to come they see this space housing birthday parties, celebrations, and all the big milestones.

Manufactured in Australia by Bondor, SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading all-in-one insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch and high thermal efficiency. 

Baahouse Hinterland Home, Gold Coast

The Challenge

Claus Ejlertsen from Baahouse Architecture specialises in innovative residential design, particularly in creating efficient and luxurious small-scale living spaces.  

When Claus was approached to design a compact retirement home for a family downsizing to their children’s Gold Coast hinterland property, he knew he had to ‘get creative’ with council parameters. 

The clients—who originally lived near Gympie wanted a smaller dwelling designed to be a future-proof property where they could comfortably live as they got older. 

Working within a tight 60m2 footprint, 20% smaller than a typical free-standing Australian house, Claus’s challenge was to work with this limited space to create a comfortable retirement home that didn’t feel cramped. 

The local council parameters were strict, so he need to strategically expand the perceived space through clever architectural design to create an expansive, light-filled living environment that felt much larger than its compact footprint. 

Bondor’s SolarSpan® insulated, long spanning roof panels gave Claus the flexibility and aesthetic appeal to create a home that perfectly met his clients’ needs. 

The Solution

Claus tackled the project’s restricted footprint by thinking beyond traditional design. He maximised space through high raked ceilings, eliminating hallways, and creating an open-plan layout that seamlessly connected indoor and outdoor areas.  

Claus effectively doubled the size of the home by connecting an additional 40-50m2 outdoor deck to main home. This deck area was excluded from the council’s internal measurement, allowing for significant extra living space.  

He also created an additional rear deck and multi-purpose utility and laundry space, which effectively pushed the total usable area to around 100m2.  

Claus emphasised the importance of the indoor-outdoor connection being crucial to the home’s design. 

“With the subtropical Brisbane climate, it’s really important that we live outside, enjoy that outside deck space, and give that indoor, outdoor connection between the two spaces that we’re working with,” he said. 

“That really makes a small house feel like a big, large, open, family home.”  

The inclusion of high raked ceilings and open plan design also contributed to making the modest space feel much larger and more expansive. 

By using Bondor’s SolarSpan® roofing system, he streamlined construction and created a light-filled, airy interior.  

“Bondor is a fantastic product. It has a self-clipping together modular system that comes in long spans. For this project, we got six metres from one beam to the other beam. 

“It’s also quick and easy to install. Within that roof system, you’ve got the lining so you don’t have to paint underneath, the insulation, and the top of the roof, all in one panel.  

“The same day the electrician comes in, he does the lighting installation, and literally, within a day, you have a whole roof installed.” 

Through innovative design, seamless indoor-outdoor connections, and strategic use of natural light, Claus transformed what could have been standard granny flat into a luxury escape for his clients’ retirement years. 

Manufactured in Australia by Bondor, SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading all-in-one insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch and high thermal efficiency. 

Scone Historical Society

The Challenge

The Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society needed to upgrade their archive shed to better preserve their valuable historical collection.  

Established in 1956, the historical society maintains a comprehensive archive of the area’s rich local heritage. The archive includes a wide range of documents such as photographs, books, and various written records spanning from the early settlement period of 1825 onwards. 

 The existing old fibro shed was in poor condition with malfunctioning roller doors and a possum inhabiting the space, making for unsanitary storage conditions for their venerable collection. 

A new shed was needed to address multiple preservation needs, from temperature and humidity control, to protecting against dust and pests. It also needed to meet the Development Authority’s requirements for storing heritage items.  

The project involved obtaining a grant, working with Great Value Garages, and navigating complex State Government planning portal requirements to create a suitable storage solution for their collection.  

Bondor’s InsulRoof® panels provided the specialised insulation and fire rating requirements needed to protect and maintain the historical society’s collection.

The Solution

For Great Value Garages, this project pushed the boundaries of the company’s traditional shed-building expertise. Unlike their standard builds using corrugated iron or weatherboard-style sheeting, this project marked their first complete shed using insulated panels for both walls and roof. 

The archive storage facility required highly specialised technical specifications, including a precise R5 insulation rating and specific fire protection standards.  

These unique requirements demanded significant engineering adjustments and a completely new approach to shed design, moving well beyond their usual construction methods. 

Having previously used Bondor products in carports, the company was familiar with the brand and knew they could provide the right panelling. After consulting with Bondor, they confirmed InsulRoof® panels would meet the critical protection requirements for storing historical documents. 

The completed archive shed is a 6x9m structure, standing 2.4m high with a 30-degree roof pitch, a waterproof concrete floor, properly closing roller doors, and improved structural design that prevents pest entry. 

It houses a unique collection of historical items such as glass negatives from early photographer Joseph Docker, portraits of early settlers, and some Aboriginal artifacts. The new shed will also house small pieces of historical furniture and other museum collection items that are not currently on display in the historical society’s main museum space. 

By constructing the new, specially insulated shed, the Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society have ensured the area’s valuable historical records and artifacts are safeguarded for future generations. 

The insulating properties of the Expanded Polystyrene with fire-retardant (EPS-FR) core, together with an airtight joint, makes InsulRoof® panels an ideal solution for preserving the story of Scone and the Upper Hunter.  

Regional Shopping Complex – Tasmania

The Challenge

It isn’t every day that Bondor Metecno Tasmania are approached to supply product for a ‘ground up’ shopping complex build, but when the opportunity came up in regional Tasmania in 2024 it was a challenge the team were ready to tackle.

The shopping complex was centred around a supermarket with additional tenants to include a bakery, a takeaway, and a bottle shop, with concrete tilt-up walls and an exposed roof structure.

The brief that came across State Manager – Tasmania, Ashley Moore’s desk was to supply panelling that was not only thermally effective but commercially and aesthetically pleasing.

As with any project involving food and produce storage, not just any product would do.

The project needed to deliver in three key areas—thermal performance, ease of installation, and aesthetic qualities.

MetecnoSpan® roofing, MetecnoInspire® walling, and MetecnoPanel® for the cool rooms and freezers provided the perfect combination.

The Solution

“This project is a great example of the wide range of panelling Bondor Metecno can offer for various commercial and industrial applications in a single project,” Ashley said.

“The roof, walls, and cool room show how our products work together for quick installation, strong thermal performance, and a consistent, functional design.

“Although we’ve done several projects with cool rooms with food safety requirements, what is unique about this project is the choice of Monument dark panelling for the internal roof and wall finishes.

“The architect selected the colour scheme not only to complement the supermarket anchor tenant, but also because it helped camouflage exposed services like cable trays, electrical work, and ductwork that are visible on the underside of the roof.

“The uniform, dark appearance not only helped conceal internal building services but also offered visual simplicity and a clean, streamlined look to the building’s interior.

“In fact, the colour scheme has become a recurring design choice for the supermarket chain,” he said.

The final building features:

  • Roof: MetecnoSpan® Surfmist over Matt Monument x 2815m2

  • Perimeter lining internally: MetecnoInspire® 60mm Monument over White x 840m2

  • Cool rooms: MetecnoPanel® 100mm Monument over Monument x 274m2

  • Freezer: MetecnoPanel® 150mm Monument over Monument x 108m2

The outcome of the project proving that the client and complex truly could have it all: form and function.

Today, the regional shopping complex is visited daily by hundreds of locals stocking up on essentials who get to enjoy the ‘cool’ aesthetics and even cooler internal temperature with the application of the MetecnoPIR product.

MetecnoSpan®, MetecnoInspire®, and MetecnoPanel® all feature a polyisocyanurate (PIR) rigid core between layers of BlueScope® COLORBOND® steel. They deliver extreme thermal efficiency and are fire retardant, CodeMark™ accredited, GreenRate certified and FM Approved to FM 4880 and FM 4471.

Portarlington Amenities Block

The Challenge

The Portarlington Public Amenities Block project, undertaken by GR Design & Construct, aimed to replace an outdated 1970s-era toilet block with a modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing facility.

Located on the Bellarine Peninsula near Geelong, Victoria, the project was part of the local council’s capital works and replacement program. The new facility was designed to cater to a diverse community, including retirees, families, holidaymakers, and individuals with disabilities and in particular with high support needs.

The project needed to meet stringent accessibility requirements, including a specialised ‘Changing Places’ facility that could safely accommodate people with disability and their carers.

The high-visibility and high-traffic location meant that a visual upgrade was also equally important in creating a more sophisticated public amenity that went beyond pure functionality. The facility needed to withstand heavy public use while maintaining cleanliness and durability.

Bondor’s SolarSpan® all-in-one insulated roofing panel, consisting of the roof, insulation, and ceiling in a single panel, provided a cost-effective and energy efficient solution to a traditional corrugated tin roof, and transformed the block from a basic ‘shed’ to a more visually appealing structure.

The Solution

The completed Portarlington Amenities Block stands out as a more functional, accessible, and attractive public space that goes far beyond a ‘typical toilet block’.

The project took about 8 months from design to completion, featuring five toilets, a storeroom, external showers for beachgoers, and a specialised ‘Changing Places’ facility to enable people with disabilities to comfortably and safely use public spaces.

Darren McIntosh of GR Design & Construct said the company was one of the few specialist contractors in Australia who build these facilities.

“Changing Places is a specialist facility that allows people with disability and high support needs to use the beach or public toilets anywhere,” he said.

“We had to meet multiple regulatory requirements, including DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) standards, ensuring full accessibility including door widths, space allocation, and privacy considerations.”

Darren said the Bondor SolarSpan roof was chosen to provide cost and energy efficiencies as well as enhanced aesthetics compared to a traditional corrugated tin roof.

“SolarSpan® offered a cost-effective solution through a single-panel solution incorporating roof, insulation, and ceiling. It also contributed to enhanced thermal efficiency by reducing heat gain and improving energy conservation.”

“The panels provided a streamlined, clean design that elevates the perception of public restrooms and set a new benchmark for public facility projects, demonstrating that practical infrastructure can also be visually appealing and environmentally.”

The Portarlington Public Amenities Block stands as a model for future public amenities, proving that investment in well-designed, high-quality materials like Bondor’s SolarSpan® can result in long-term benefits for both the community and local governments.

SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch and high thermal efficiency to satisfy Section J requirements in commercial and industrial applications. Codemark approved and Australian Standards tested, SolarSpan® features a COLORBOND® steel exterior roof layer, EPS-FR rigid insulation core with a pre-finished COLORBOND® ceiling underside in a variety of profiles and colours to maximise creative expression.