Architect Tim Stewart Architects
Builder/Developer Ben McBryde Builders / FBI Interiors
Products Quantum Platinum Stacking Doors, Crestlite Windsor Sliding Doors, Crestlite Centre Glazed Hinged Door, Crestlite Centre Glazed Fixed Windows, Breezway Louvre Windows in 131 Easyscreen Framing, Surfmist Textura powder coat finish
Glass Clear Laminated Glass (up to 10.38mm), 12mm Toughened with Flat Polished Edges, 6mm
Clear Toughened, 6mm White Satina Toughened
Services Manufacturing, installation, custom fabrication, project management, coordination with
drainage specialists
Project brief
The Mosman project focused on creating sophisticated indoor-outdoor living spaces that would appeal to Brisbane's luxury residential market. Developer Michael Ajaje explains his vision saying, "When we designed this house, we tried to make it all on one level living so it suits anybody older, or disabled that has to move," explains Michael. "So we wanted zero thresholds on the door, so there are no steps." This zero threshold concept would prove to be the project’s most technically demanding requirement.
Zero threshold solution
Eliminating the traditional step-up between interior floors and door sills required sophisticated coordination between multiple trades and suppliers. Travis Rudken, Trend's Technical Commercial Project Manager, explains the collaborative approach needed, saying, "We worked closely with Ben McBride, who was the builder on that particular project. Again, just open discussions, making sure that we all knew what was going to happen before it happened."
The solution involved integrating Stormtech drain sills, supplied by the builder, with Trend's Quantum Platinum stacking doors. The drain sills were recessed into the floor structure, allowing Trend's door sills to sit flush with the finished floor level while maintaining proper drainage.
Michael confirms the collaborative approach noting, "We worked with Trend and Stormtech, who supplied the threshold drains for the door. And between us, the builder, him and Travis and Trend Windows, we managed to achieve that”
Installation and customisation
The project featured substantial stacking doors that created expansive openings between the main living areas and outdoor courtyards. Ground-level access and favourable site configuration allowed for manual handling of the door panels, eliminating the need for crane assistance required on some of Trend’s more complex installations. Travis noted that there were enough people allocated to the site to safely manage the installation process.
The project included several customisation elements that demonstrated Trend’s comprehensive approach. Customer-supplied custom hardware was machined and fitted to the door systems. Breezway louvre windows were integrated throughout the design, with both clear and translucent glass options. "This one had quite a few louvres throughout, and it was just to give it that sort of open, fresh type feel," notes Travis. "It is nice to have an option to be able to open some windows and create that nice pull-through of natural air right from front to back." This combination of standard products with custom features delivered the complete indoor-outdoor living solution the project required.