A Sophisticated Structure for South Metro Students

Providing structural integrity to a diverse three-storey Trade Training Centre.

Offering over 500 qualifications; the South Metropolitan TAFE (formerly Challenger Institute of Technology) is a diverse learning hub for over 39,000 students across it’s campuses. South Metropolitan TAFE’s Murdoch campus has just opened the doors to their newly celebrated $40.6 million three-storey Trade Training Centre.

Winners of multiple AIA awards, Armstrong Parkin Architects designed the new building and collaborated with builders EMCO to bring their artistic vision to life. The result – a striking façade made of fibre reinforced concrete screen panels that draws intrigue to the building with its modern edge and sophisticated structure.

Inside, the building houses training and administration facilities including eight salons, a gymnasium, simulated office, library, cafe, student amenities and services areas. There are also specialist training facilities including a virtual nursery and playgroup, computer laboratories and learning areas.

"It was a joy dealing with Studco’s engineering team as well as other team members here in WA."

Having worked on previous education buildings including Harrisdale Senior High School, Perth Library and Joseph Banks Secondary School; contractors Topend Ceilings were enlisted on the project for their reputation of having a keen eye for detail and high-quality workmanship. 

Calling on their extensive experience and knowledge, Topend Ceilings are well-versed in uplift forces, caused by a gust of wind entering an enclosed space and forcing the ceiling to rise and fall, with the potential to collapse an entire ceiling. Amid concerns regarding uplift forces that may result from the protruding façade, Topend Ceiling’s preference was to utilize PGI Droppers in place of traditional rods and clips to provide the additional support required. They contacted their distribution partner Planet Plasterboard, who engaged Studco Building Systems as their supplier of choice to provide an engineered solution for the steel wall studs and concealed ceiling systems in the building.

Studco’s engineering team worked closely with Topend Ceilings to ensure the ceiling framing system put forward would be the ideal solution for the build and were readily available to answer any questions or concerns to ensure Topend Ceilings were able to complete the framing without complications. Studco worked to make sure Topend Ceilings and Planet Plasterboard could achieve their desired result and be industry leaders that can provide a competitive edge and quality finish. Studco’s service guarantee ensured they had a team of engineers, account managers and customer service team available to answer any queries on design requirements.

George Yang, Manager at Topend Ceilings said, “Studco have been really helpful to partner with on this project. Their agile Engineering Department worked so efficiently to assist in designing and providing engineering solutions without having to discount on the quality of products and performance of their ceiling and wall systems. They have provided us warranty for the construction throughout, enabling us to offer solid but cost effective engineered solutions to the project requirements”.

Discover the difference of Studco’s service guarantee and learn what partnering with leaders in innovative building products can do for your project.

Architect:

Armstrong Parkin Architects

Builder:

EMCO Building

Contractor:

Topend Ceilings

Distributer:

Planet Plasterboard