The Mutual Bank in the Hunter Region, NSW is a member owned bank, established with the mission to ensure financial investment stayed in the area. The new Head Office in East Maitland called for a unique, outside the box, modern design that also had to deliver excellent energy efficiency and be aesthetically pleasing in its semi, regional setting.

The performance and customisability of the chosen materials was paramount, due to the seasonal temperature extremes and compliance with the Section J energy provisions.

It’s unique design featured expressed mullions, horizontal sunshades, a 105 degree faceted corner and bracketry detail. Superior Windows employed a wide range of commercial window, door and curtain wall solutions from the Elevate™ Aluminum range to achieve the design requirements.

The Thermally Broken, Series 168 Curtain Wall is the stand out feature in the buildings design. Delivering a Uw Value as low as 1.7, it performs most of the heavy lifting to achieve its high energy requirements.

This allowed flexibility for Superior Windows to fabricate a custom faceted corner and bracketing detail unique to the building’s primary façade.

As well as high energy performance, high levels of acoustic privacy, typical of the confidentiality requirements in financial environments was a major prerequisite. The Commercial Series 646 SoundOUT™ 150mm FrontGLAZE™ framing system was chosen for its acoustic performance together with its ability to achieve a consistent, flat glass appearance throughout the building.

Large Series 52 glass doors are used throughout the buildings offices, meeting and conference rooms as they allow a visual and metaphoric transparency to the building design. They are complimented by large, 600mm, ICON™ Stainless Steel Sliding Door Handles for long lasting durability.

The vast glazing requirements and environmental location of this unique building could not be achieved with a regular commercial window system. Superior Windows have achieved an outstanding project which not only meets the design and energy brief specified by DWP, but confirms their position as a premium Commercial fabricator with market leading solutions across the entire Hunter Valley.

Photographer: Liz Kalaf