Framing design sped up 920 home build - one of Queensland’s largest medium density projects

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Project Summary

• Sector: Medium Density Residential • Project Name: The Heights • Location: Pimpama, Gold Coast, QLD• Project Total Cost: $193 million• Developer/ Principal: Sunland Group• Builder: Sunland Homes• Architect: Sunland Group• Engineer: Cozens Regan• AFS Project Team: Jed Burgess, Design Team Leader; Ross Manning and Dylan Chambers, Senior Detailers
• Project Goal: Deliver and install 920 architecturally designed homes.• Principal AFS Products: Wall framing, floor joists, structural framing, roof trusses, ceiling panels all made from TRUECORE® steel, and other structural steel beams.• Complete Project Timeframe: Staged over 6 years however framing delivered and installed over a 48 month period.

The Heights is a 105-hectare master planned community located on the northern Gold Coast in Pimpama. Its six parklands provide easy access to nature, including a one-hectare central park and conservation corridor. The community is located near an $80 million sports precinct and Coomera Westfield which provide residents with ample recreation and retail options.

A typical design consisted of three bedrooms, open plan living spaces with high ceilings, study, private alfresco entertaining area, two bathrooms and a single-car garage. Across the community, panoramic views incorporate the Gold Coast hinterland.

Delivering this large project on time and on budget is significant. Australian Framing Solutions (AFS)’s unique solution customised prefabrication and simplified handling which resulted in delivery dates being brought forward.

AFS’s 15+ year relationship with Sunland Group and Sunland Homes (Sunland) teams ensured a smooth build and first class outcome. Together the partners have delivered thousands of builds.

Challenges

    Complex logistics to deliver almost one thousand townhouses.
    The complete development was staged over 6 years; however, the majority of AFS’s work was to be delivered and installed over a 48 month period.
    Supply of a high volume of materials in a short time as stages were developed. Work was accelerated in times of increased sales, and supply was needed scaling to meet demand.

Consultation and Collaboration

AFS has a long-standing, 15+ year relationship with Sunland. This long history assisted the teams delivering The Heights as they were familiar with each other’s processes and procedures.
AFS consulted early, at each phase of the development, during the design stage to establish project requirements. This early engagement enabled AFS to engineer a unique solution for The Heights that improved the overall project delivery.
During the evolving construction program, the AFS team maintained close contact with Sunland to manage complex logistics and deliver frames for the 920 dwellings. A total of 3,222,000 metres of steel were used. Through regular communications, all deliveries were on time and in full.

The Solutions

AFS engineered a customised light gauge steel frame solution to simplify delivery and accelerate construction. This involved close collaboration to ensure all design requirements were met.
The substantial volume of frames and logistics required to deliver The Heights demanded innovative thinking to overcome identified risks of transportation bottlenecks and prohibitive installer foot traffic during peak times - each causing potential delays.
The project specifics allowed AFS to engineer a customised solution wheresections of frames - modules - could be assembled to form the greater frame. This kept frame packs consistent in size which in turn simplified and minimised transportation and cranage on site.
AFS engineered a unique roof design - a panelised roofing system. This allowed trades to gain easy access for installation during construction.
The team also ensured firewalls complied with regulations, QBCC requirements, and manufacturer’s installation specifications.

Outcomesand Results

AFS managed all resources and budgets with seamless continuity over the entire project timeline.
AFS’s unique solution enabled prefabrication to be customised into manageable and transportable modules. This resulted in simplified handling and installation which sped up delivery.
Thanks to this solution, it was possible to bring the construction program forward in what was a large-scale and highly complex development.
Scaling-up is straightforward for AFS, being the largest manufacturer in Queensland. The team carefully scheduled this considerable volume of frames to be fabricated across its three factories. AFS custom-made transportation vehicles delivered the 1073 truckloads to site.
Through early engagement and on-going consultation, AFS ensured a successful project for Sunland.

Feedback

“We get great service from AFS. Their frames are made on time, delivered on time, and the price is right. AFS is a good company to deal with - a very good company to deal with”.
Joe Finocchiaro, Construction Manager, Sunland Group

People, Partnerships & Progress

People & Experience

Our team has developed framing methods that deliver more large-scale projects simultaneously than any other company in the country.
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Partnerships Built On Trust

We believe trust goes further than the stability of the frame, it's also about the company that’s delivering it - that’s why our promise is to be consistent on price, quality and always deliver.

Progress & Vision

We are driven by a deep passion for our industry. We have fostered a culture hinged on an attitude - always show up and never give up.

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