Rondo + The William

The conversion of an iconic Melbourne office building into a high end apartment development has been underpinned by wall framing systems from Rondo.

Originally built in 1966 as an office building, ‘The William’ has been turned into a vibrant 531 apartment building in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct.

Completed in February 2014, the two-year, $100 million dollar project was undertaken by building company Built, contractor EXPOCONTI and Bruce Henderson Architects for developers Hengyi. It comprised the conversion of one existing building into an apartment development, with four additional storeys added to make the building level with a completely new additional building.

The project includes: 54 one bedroom apartments, 380 two bedroom apartments, 36 three bedroom apartments and 77 one and two bedroom serviced apartments. It also features retail space including a small supermarket and 15 shop sites, as well as a roof top pool.

Rondo Sales and Business Development Manager Charlie Khoury confirms the company was called in to provide a design solution for all external walls, with challenges including that initial drawings specified a stud wall with compressed fibre cement only, with minimal information documented, while high wind load requirements were also a factor.

Initially, Built had investigated a number of façade options, including having full height and width windows, but doing this would have required an internal stud wall adjacent to the window to support the plasterboard. Rondo was asked to step in and provide expert technical advice as a solution for a heavy gauge structural system which would not affect internal apartment areas and substrate strengths.

‘Using our MAXIframe External Wall Framing System, we were able to provide a full design specification for the entire external façade that met wind load requirements, and also allowed one stud wall to accommodate both internal and external linings,’ says Khoury.

This delivered a more efficient installation process in terms of both labour and material. Contractor, EXPOCONTI was able to complete all works, both internal and external, efficiently allowing for full control of each stage, and fewer tradesmen required on the site.

Rondo’s technical and sales teams made regular on-site visits, offering both design and installation solutions. Specifically, the team ensured all the external walls met the required wind loads, along with designs for all 5-8 metre high external walls for the shop fronts.

‘We provided a full design specification for the entire external wall system, meeting the required wind loads, along with designs for all five to eight metre high external walls for the shop fronts. Our solution was more efficient in comparison to the alternative full size windows.’

‘It also enabled one stud wall design to take both internal and external linings and offered a more efficient installation process in terms of labour and material,’ Khoury adds. ‘While reducing the requirement for additional tradesmen, waiting times between trades were also reduced significantly. In addition, the system enabled the contractor’s full control of the construction time line. With only one plastering company needed to complete all works, both internal and external, one warranty was provided for all plastering works.’

‘The exciting development at The William in Melbourne proved a great example of how Rondo’s innovative systems can be deployed to save both time and money, while offering a world-class outcome.’