JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #101 - November/December 2015 - 33

Fig. 9: Hand lifting panel into position

Fig. 13: Access before plasterboard

(Figure 13)(Although an internal surface
finish could have been manufactured into
the panel along with conduit for wiring/
plumbing if Rudi had chosen to build
with a B-side mould.).

Fig. 14: Clean lines

Conclusion
Fig. 10: Applying the modified Polymer

Fig. 11: Plumbing rough in

Fig. 12: Window box shim

The proof is in the final result. Standing
looking at the long, clean white lines, you
appreciate why this could be a glimpse
into the future of residential and multistory buildings. This house will look just
as straight and just as clean (aesthetically
anyway) in 20, 30, even 50 years from
now (Figures 14 and 15). There are some
'subtle, and not so subtle' extravagances
built into this house, too. There is a
stunning overhanging carbon window
box bonded in place with AEC Polymer's
SAF methacrylate adhesive (Figure
16) to sit and absorb the afternoon sun
and district views. There is a cleverly
designed internal bedroom window that
'frames' the city view (Figure 17) so you
can lay in bed and watch the twinkling
lights and the occasional fireworks
display. There are a few items still under

Fig. 15: Powder coated steel and clean lines

Fig. 16: Carbon window box

development but not yet in place, such
as wafer-thin prepreg carbon stairs,
which are destined for installation before
Christmas, and the vertical prepreg
spread tow carbon 'sun-shade blades',
which follow the trajectory of the sun.
But the main attractions are the technically intricate and aesthetically beautiful
carbon columns (Figure 18 and 19) that
hold up one corner of the structure, or
possibly the most stylish kitchen bench-

No101 November - December 2015 / jec

Feature Building & Construction

could start their rough-in work (Figure
11), as they do with traditional builds.
This was a key feature of this build, as it
did not overwhelm the trades who were
unfamiliar with composite panels. The
windows and doors slotted straight in
with minimal adjustment, (Figure 12)
as they had been checked for square and
tolerance when the panels were laid-up.
Wiring and plumbing was easily accessible as the internal surface was still exposed right up to the last moment when
regular plasterboard was put in place

Looking back over the course of the project, the effort that went into getting this
'prototype' off the ground is astonishing.
It is one thing to have plans drawn up,
it is another to get them approved by
the local council and signed off by the
certifier, so the challenges to actually
make the panels into a house were only
just part of the story. What the project
did locally is get people in the industry
talking. Where before they used to say
it could not be done, (mainly due to so
many strict laws based around traditional
builds and materials - which is not comparing apples with apples), they now ask
Rudi 'how did you do it?'.

composites magazine 33

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #101 - November/December 2015