Transforming Perth Patios with SolarSpan

The Challenge

Brent Lambrichs is the owner of BL Carpentry Services, a Perth-based business with more than 15 years’ experience in carpentry. Over the past 7–10 years, Brent has specialised in premium outdoor living spaces for private homeowners, with BL Carpentry Services catering to higher-end and architecturally designed homes along Perth’s western coastal strip.

These homeowners want more than basic shelter. They are investing in large, beautifully detailed outdoor entertaining areas that function as true extensions of the homes. They want spaces where they can host friends, relax with family, and enjoy the coastal climate without compromising on comfort or aesthetics.

Standard metal patio roofs, exposed framing and bulky light fittings no longer meet the expectations or property values in these areas.

Climate is a major factor. Perth is known for scorching, dry summers with repeated 40°C days. Under a conventional single-skin metal roof, patios can become “hot boxes”, radiating heat and making the area uncomfortable during the afternoon and early evening—precisely when people want to be outside.

“Clients want to be able to sit outdoors at three or four o’clock on a Saturday afternoon, have a drink, and entertain without being blasted by radiant heat from above,” Brent said.

Clients are also looking for outdoor areas that feel as refined as internal spaces. This means smooth, ceiling-like finishes; integrated flush downlights; ceiling fans; feature LED lighting; and, in some cases, heaters. The structure must also visually tie in with the home’s architecture, matching or elevating the internal standard of finish and enhancing overall property value.

The challenge for Brent Lambrichs and BL Carpentry Services is to deliver outdoor structures that satisfy demanding homeowners on three fronts at once: thermal comfort in extreme dry heat, premium aesthetics consistent with high-value homes, and functional flexibility that allows for integrated services and everyday usability.

Photos: Brent Lambrichs

The Solution

To meet these requirements, BL Carpentry Services has moved almost all patio and pergola projects to Bondor’s SolarSpan® insulated roofing panels.

“Almost every single one of our patios is a SolarSpan® roof sheet… it’s a quality material,” Brent said.

SolarSpan® combines roofing, insulation and an internal ceiling underside in a single panel, giving Brent an all‑in‑one solution:

“By the time you were to build a patio, put a roof sheet on the top, insulate it, and then do ceiling lining, I can just buy a Bondor SolarSpan®  panel. It’s all in one and it’s just super-efficient,” he said.

From a build perspective, SolarSpan® simplifies construction. Brent calculates spans, overhangs and cutbacks, orders panels to length, and his crew prepares the ends on site before lifting them into place, resting them on the beams and fixing them together.

Most projects can be sheeted within a day, with flashing and gutters typically completed over another day. Even on larger jobs with panels around six metres long the four-person team can handle the panels without routinely needing cranes.

Thermally, SolarSpan® tackles the “hot box” issue common under traditional roofs in Perth’s 40°C summers. The insulated core (minimum 50 mm) reduces heat transfer, lowering the temperature under the pergola.

“If you put a standard roof sheet on, it gets very, very hot underneath; when you use SolarSpan® panels instead, the insulated core really helps bring the temperature down,” Brent said.

Aesthetics and functionality are just as important. The clean underside of the panel allows BL Carpentry Services to install flush downlights, fans, heaters and feature LEDs while keeping a smooth, ceiling-like finish.

Brent is also developing a side brand focused on cantilever pergola, intended as premium structures with posts only at the rear, allowing the roof to project forward with a clean, post‑free front edge.

For this concept, he plans to use insulated SolarSpan® panels as the primary roofing element, as they provide the strength, thermal performance and sleek underside finish needed at the very top end of the market.

This approach showcases SolarSpan® not just as a roofing panel, but as a key enabler of high‑impact, architectural outdoor design.

Start your next outdoor project with BL Carpentry Services

brent@blcarpentryservices.com

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Sydney Factory Focus

The Challenge

This project centred on a major residential build in Moorlands, just outside Port Macquarie, on a 20‑acre property positioned high on a hill with sweeping views of the western mountain ranges. With an approximately 800 m² roof, the architect needed a solution that could span large distances, maintain a clean, modern profile and contribute significantly to the home’s comfort and efficiency.

The specification called for an insulated roofing system capable of delivering a strong R‑value while also enhancing acoustic comfort in a rural setting that is open to wind and weather. The roof needed to do more than provide shelter; it had to be an active part of the building’s performance envelope.

The structural design posed its own challenges. Traditional construction would typically involve extensive timber bearers and joists to support the roof over such long spans. However, the design team wanted to simplify the structure, reduce the amount of timber framing and maintain clear lines across the roof.

Span length and panel continuity were also central issues. The architectural design called for panels from 8 metres up to 22 metres long, beyond what many conventional systems can achieve in a single panel. For this project, the architect was looking for a solution that could handle these long runs in single, continuous spans, preserving both performance and aesthetics.

On a hilltop site, exposed to driving rain and changing wind directions, the roof also had to offer robust long‑term weather protection. Minimising joins across a large, uninterrupted roof plane was critical to reducing the risk of water ingress.

The Solution

Bondor’s 200mm SolarSpan® insulated roofing panels were selected to meet this challenge, delivering an approximately 800 m² roof in single lengths up to 22 metres, with no joins and no compromise on aesthetics or performance.

The key advantage was Bondor’s ability to produce single‑length panels that could run the full span of the roof without intermediate joins. This eliminated the need for multiple pieces to achieve the required lengths, simplifying installation and dramatically reducing potential leak points.

“The real winner for Bondor here, is that we can produce a panel with no joins, which minimises any opportunity for that roof to leak,” said Bondor’s NSW State Manager Barry Mitchell.  

Performance outcomes were equally important. The 200 mm SolarSpan® panels delivered the targeted R‑rating of 4.5, ensuring strong thermal insulation and supporting the home’s energy efficiency. At the same time, the composite “sandwich” construction provided excellent acoustic performance, helping to manage external noise and create a more comfortable internal environment.

Behind the finished product is a precision manufacturing process at Bondor’s Sydney factory that underpins consistency and quality.

Bondor’s Operations Manager, Peter Kean, explained that production starts with Bluescope coil rolled into the roofing profile, with styrene added as a sandwich core and the panel glued and pressed.

“It goes through the cutting line where it’s cut to length, it’s hot wire cut, and then we take it off the line into the packing area and from there onto the truck,” Peter said.

This end‑to‑end process ensures the panels arrive on site cut to precise lengths, ready for efficient installation.

Structurally, SolarSpan®’s spanning capability enabled the project team to significantly reduce the amount of conventional timber framing. The long spanning insulated panels are structural, meaning fewer timber bearers and joists were needed to support the roof, aligning directly with the architect’s intent to simplify the structure. It also reduced materials, labour and build complexity while preserving structural performance.

For Bondor, this project was more than a one‑off success; it is a showcase of what SolarSpan® and InsulRoof® products can achieve on large residential builds

“Our products more than meet the requirements of the building code, and we’re excited to show that off to other builders and explore opportunities to use our panels on their houses,” Barry said.

Dual-Purpose Carport & Patio

The Challenge

A homeowner and car enthusiast in Aspley, on Brisbane’s northside, engaged Gerard Vella from Gerard By Design to create an insulated roof structure off the side of his home that could function as both a carport and an outdoor entertaining patio.

Initially, the client considered building an additional shed in the backyard. However, with limited green space available, this solution would have compromised the usability and openness of the yard.

Gerard proposed an alternative: a thoughtfully designed structure wrapping around the house that would preserve valuable backyard space while delivering a highly functional, visually cohesive, dual-purpose outdoor area.

The design needed to integrate seamlessly with the home’s existing layout, colour palette, and façade, while also supporting modern features such as ceiling fans, downlights, and security cameras.

The site itself presented several challenges. The home sat on an elevated block with a steeply sloping driveway, and the house featured non-standard angles, stepping and wrapping around the contours of the land.

The Solution

Gerard selected Bondor’s InsulRoof® insulated roofing panels for their versatility, durability, superior thermal performance, and lightweight ease of installation, particularly important given the site’s complexity.

Installation was completed in two stages: the lower, more accessible section was installed manually by Gerard’s team.

A crane was used to safely and accurately position panels on the higher section of the structure.

The result was a combined covered area of 160 square metres, wrapping around the home in an L-shape.

“Built to handle Brisbane’s hot and humid conditions, the structure keeps the sun and rain off the cars while allowing plenty of airflow thanks to the flyover design,” Gerard said.

“Whether they’re parking multiple vehicles or hosting a barbecue, the space works perfectly.”

The completed project delivers a true dual-purpose solution—functional, visually cohesive, climate-appropriate, and achieved without sacrificing the backyard.

Gerard highlighted that InsulRoof® insulated panels are particularly well-suited to Brisbane’s extreme heat, significantly improving year-round comfort in outdoor areas.

“The biggest tick for me is that InsulRoof® is manufactured here in Brisbane using Australian COLORBOND® steel with a high R-value insulated core.” he said.

“Bondor has a great reputation, offers a 20-year manufacturer’s warranty*, and produces products built to last. I have no hesitation in recommending Bondor SolarSpan and InsulRoof® to my valued clients.”

Start your next outdoor project with Gerard By Design

https://gerardbydesign.com.au/ 

admin@gerardbydesign.com.au

Warehouse 3 – Somerville Road Estate

The Challenge

In creating the vision for Warehouse 3 of the Somerville Road Estate, Aliro Group, on behalf of the Aliro Group Industrial Vehicle (AGIV), teamed up with Texco Construction to design a large-scale transport and logistics cold store facility to accommodate major supermarket chains or logistics companies.

Aliro Group speculatively developed the 22,163m2 state-of-the-art facility to address market demand for high-quality, flexible cold storage and logistics facilities. Unlike traditional builds tailored for a specific tenant, this project was designed to high specifications and with flexible features to attract a wide range of potential tenants.

The team was committed to delivering a highly energy-efficient and environmentally friendly facility, with a 5 Star Green Star sustainability rating a key priority. This required careful planning and execution, adding complexity to the design and construction phases.

Fire safety was also another major consideration for this project.

Aliro Group selected Bondor Metecno’s MetecnoPanel® PIR insulated wall panels for the internal cold rooms, the staging area, the negative 24-degree cold storage area, and most of the exterior walls of the facility.

The Solution

Warehouse 3 marks completion of Stage 2 of the Aliro Group’s Somerville Road Estate and the successful realisation of a premium industrial precinct in Melbourne’s inner west.

Designed for flexibility and capable of being configured into two tenancies, the project features four independent temperature-controlled chambers. Each chamber is fully fitted with premium, Australian-made double-deep racking, offering 33,563 pallet spaces and ensuring the facility is ready for immediate high-capacity operations.

This state-of-the-art freezer facility includes a 500kW rooftop solar system to reduce electricity costs and targets a 5 Star Green Star – Design & As Built v1.3 rating, reinforcing Aliro Group’s commitment to sustainable, high-performance industrial spaces.

MetecnoPanel® PIR insulated wall panels were used extensively throughout the facility and were integral to achieving the facility’s high standards for energy efficiency, fire safety and functionality.

The panels were installed internally for all the cold rooms, forming the primary lining for these temperature-controlled spaces. The panels were also used in the staging area, which is maintained at four degrees, as well as in the negative 24-degree cold storage area, ensuring optimal thermal performance across different zones.

The panels help to reduce overall energy consumption, supporting the project’s goal of achieving a 5 Star Green Star and contributing to lower operating costs for tenants

The panels’ PIR fire-resistant core also provided a higher level of fire resistance, especially important with cold storage facilities facing high insurance premiums due to the risks associated with less fire-resistant panels. By choosing high-quality, fire-resistant MetecnoPanel® panelling, Aliro Group aimed to reduce both energy and insurance costs, making the facility more attractive to potential tenants.

MetecnoPanel® was also used extensively for the exterior walls, providing both insulation and structural integrity, which was augmented on the loading dock side where steel and aluminium sheeting was used for added weather protection.

The result is a high-specification, energy-efficient cold storage facility designed for flexibility and ready to accommodate a range of tenants seeking modern, energy-efficient cold storage solutions.

MetecnoPanel® PIR insulated wall panels with a PIR fire-resistant core are manufactured in Australia exclusively with BlueScope® steel to suit Australia’s harsh conditions. MetecnoPanel® is GreenRate certified and FM approved to FM 4880 & 4881 – No Height Restriction and is suitable for all insulated panel applications, from cold storage to exterior warehouse walling. 

Sunshine Studios, WA

The Challenge

In Perth’s Hamilton Hill, Graduate Architect and first-time developer Jocelyn Broderick set out to prove that urban infill can be dense, sustainable and beautiful, without the “cookie-cutter” feel of many high-density builds.

On a single suburban block where she and husband Sergio have lived for years, Jocelyn’s goal was to replace one home with five dwellings – retaining the original 1970s cottage, maximising light and achieving the maximum possible energy ratings for the new homes.

Her ambitions didn’t stop there, with Jocelyn determined to deliver high performance housing on a lean, self-funded budget.

That meant working within tight height restrictions, creating flexible floor plans to adapt to different occupants over time, and choosing materials that worked harder by providing structure, insulation and finish in one.

With that in mind, and having used Bondor’s SolarSpan® on previous projects, Jocelyn knew it was the ideal roofing solution – capable of delivering thermal performance, long spans and a clean exposed soffit without the need for a suspended ceiling.

“I love that SolarSpan® is structural, provides insulation and gives you the finished soffit all in one product.

“It was perfect for our budget and our sustainability goals,” said Jocelyn.

Photo Credit: AmandaMiller.com.au

The Solution

The finished development, affectionately named “Sunshine Studios”, comprises the renovated 120m² original cottage at the front, a single-storey 70m² dwelling at the centre of the block, and three connected 99m² two-storey terraces along the southern boundary.

All four new builds are topped with 150mm Bondor SolarSpan® insulated roofing panels in Surfmist (R3.6), spanning 7.5 metres with 1.4 metre overhang to shade the north-facing elevations. The slim roof profile helped meet height limits while still delivering generous internal ceiling heights.

Bondor’s local technical rep, Joe Roque, provided design and specification support prior to the project staring, as well as on-site support curing construction, delivering the correct fixings for a mix of concrete panel and timber beam connections and advising on custom flashings.

“By using SolarSpan® we didn’t lose height to framing or ceiling structure. It let the roof just fly over the walls – simple, minimal detailing, and a beautiful finish from below”, explains Jocelyn.

“We ordered 10 metre long SolarSpan® panels which were light enough for two workers to slide along the support beams. It was easy to work with too – we were clipping panels together, sliding them along, and Bondor helped with all the little technical details.”

The homes achieve exceptional energy performance, with ratings up to 9+ Stars. Thanks to SolarSpan®’s integrated insulation and the development’s passive solar design, its interiors remain comfortable year-round without the need for mechanical heating or cooling – ceiling fans alone provide all the temperature control required.

Ventilation from south-facing windows and exposed thermal mass concrete walls and floors also contribute to stable indoor temperatures.

Lastly, flexibility was another key design priority. The terrace houses each have dual-key entry, kitchens on both levels and moveable walls, allowing them to be configured as two smaller dwellings, a home and workspace, or a larger family home.

SolarSpan’s long spans allowed the upper floor’s dividing wall to be non-loadbearing, meaning the rooms can be reconfigured over time.

Jocelyn says the project has been well received, providing some much-needed affordable rental accommodation close to public transport and amenities, while demonstrating that higher-density urban infill can be sustainable, liveable and architecturally considered.

“We wanted these homes to be adaptable – to change as people’s lives change. Bondor’s roofing helped make that possible, delivering the performance we needed in a simple, durable way.”

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.

Custom Patio & Pergolas

The Challenge

When planning outdoor structures such as carports, alfresco areas, or entertainment spaces, customers often encounter a range of challenges which may make it difficult to achieve desired outcomes.

Traditional building methods involving steel beams, plasterboard ceilings, and conventional roofing can be expensive, time-consuming, and may not deliver the high-end look or comfort that today’s homeowners desire.

Many homeowners want their outdoor spaces to serve multiple purposes, functioning both as practical carports and as attractive, welcoming areas for entertaining guests. Achieving this balance of aesthetics and practicality can be difficult with standard construction approaches.

Homeowners want superior insulation to maintain comfortable temperatures and protect from heat, especially in areas exposed to the sun. Traditional roofing materials for outdoor areas often fall short in providing the desired level of protection and energy efficiency.

Custom Carports & Pergolas by Outside Concepts operating throughout Melbourne and Regional Victoria stands out with its extensive experience designing and building carports, pergolas, alfresco areas, entertainment areas, garages, and decks.

Bondor’s SolarSpan® insulated roofing panels are the company’s go-to solution due to the panels’ cost effective alternative for a high-end product, superior insulation and effortless long spans between supports.

The Solution

When a homeowner approached Custom Carports and Pergolas with a set of traditional building plans for a patio that included steel beams, parapet walls, and a plasterboard ceiling, the Branch Manager Kose recognised an opportunity to deliver greater value and an improved design.

“I proposed an alternative solution using Bondor SolarSpan panels. This approach offered several advantages: it was more economical, faster to construct, and resulted in a high-end, visually appealing product,” Kose said.

“I presented my customer with pricing for both options. The benefits of the SolarSpan solution—cost savings, efficiency, and superior aesthetics—made it an easy choice.

“The end result exceeded my customer’s expectations, delivering a modern, comfortable outdoor space that not only met but surpassed their original vision. They were extremely pleased with the outcome.”

For another project, SolarSpan was used to create a modern, minimalist carport featuring stained merbau hardwood posts and beams to highlight the timber’s natural beauty.

“My customer’s brief was for a new multi-car port to be built which could double as an entertainment area for parties,” Kose said.

“We designed the space to function as both, with a clean ceiling finish and integrated downlights. Using SolarSpan allowed for longer spans between supports and enabled us to cantilever the roof at the front and back.

“This gave us a high-end architectural look and added a distinctive feature to the project,” Kose added.

Design flexibility, such as the ability to span longer distances without extra supports or to incorporate modern architectural features like cantilevered roofs add a much-desired feature which has contributed to SolarSpan’s popularity for residential, commercial and industrial projects Australia-wide. Manufactured in Australia by Bondor, SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch and high thermal efficiency

By embracing innovative materials like SolarSpan, Custom Carports and Pergolas can offer customers tailored solutions that improve on traditional building methods. Taking this approach reflects the company’s commitment to quality, innovation, and meeting the unique needs of each client.

 

Start your next outdoor project with Custom Carports and Pergolas

1800 010 677

www.customcarportsandpergolas.com.au

custom@outsideconcepts.com.au

SolarSpan Video Case Study

The Ultimate Indoor-Outdoor Patio | SolarSpan®Insulated Roofing

This stunning project involved transforming an open-air deck, which was previously only usable in summer, into a versatile indoor-outdoor room using Bondor’s SolarSpan® insulated roofing panels.

The homeowners wanted to create a space that could be enjoyed year-round, regardless of weather.

Bondor’s SolarSpan® was was the perfect choice due to its ability to control temperature, prevent condensation, and provide a clean, high-quality finish.

The result is a seamless extension from inside to outside, with the homeowners thrilled with their new patio’s appearance and functionality.

Check out our video case study below:

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

Red Cedar Lindfield in Australia

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.