HISTORIC RAILWAY MAKEOVER
25 Mar 2015
Futurewood’s EnviroSlat timber-look cladding range was the product of choice for this historic station makeover, here’s why…
Melbourne's Balaclava Railway Station has seen multiple upgrades since its inception in 1859, the latest including major renovations to the station’s building and ramps.
Futurewood’s large, decorative, composite timber cladding range and product features were specially selected by architect Ken Ng and his team of designers to bring the station to life.
One of the first things Ken changed was the worn-out timber, which was specified to create a sense of warmth and softness as railway stations are often constructed using colder materials such as concrete and steel. Ken wanted to maintain and preserve the soft, warm feeling the timber provided, so he replaced it with Futurewood EnviroSlat, a product which looks and feels like timber but requires a lot less upfront and ongoing maintenance.
Futurewood’s EnviroSlat Cladding was the perfect fit for this project. It doesn’t split or splinter which makes it safer than timber, and it doesn’t warp or twist which means it continues to look fantastic for years to come. Unlike traditional timber, it doesn't need to be sanded and painted or oiled every 12 months, which results in significant savings for the station owners.
Another important criterion for Ken Ng was to use a material which would allow graffiti to be easily removed. The design team conducted several graffiti removal tests and found that graffiti was easily removed from Futurewood’s EnviroSlat with the help of an off-the-shelf graffiti removal product available from most hardware stores.
For more information, please visit our website, or call us on: 1300 484 308.
