WHAT A DIFFERENCE A PLANTER MAKES

Forming the face of the project, this high-end residential development blossomed with the inclusion of bespoke GRC planter.

Kirra Gardens in Camberwell, Victoria, is an architectural marvel, “sculptural in form, robust in materiality and timeless in appeal”, according to its website. Community lies at the heart of the Kirra Gardens ethos. More than just a collection of residences, the sustainable village environment encourages residents to share experiences with family and neighbours.

Facilities within the complex inspire inhabitants to grow their own food in the communal gardens and enjoy alfresco dining on the lushly appointed shared rooftop. Extensive private garden spaces offer built-in sustainability and enviable green enclaves that enhance relaxation, among many other modern conveniences.

To achieve this level of luxury lifestyle living, the builders commissioned GRC experts Satu Bumi to design and manufacture a series of planters that would form the bulk of the building’s exterior façade. As specialists in Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete products since 2012, the qualified team at Satu Bumi had the knowledge and the experience to design and manufacture the large-scale units required to fulfil this contract.

Custom made for Kirra Gardens, the structural planters created by Satu Bumi feature a timber textured finish and are manufactured from durable commercial-grade Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC) specifically engineered for use in high-end commercial landscaping and architectural developments.

Perhaps its most prominent advantage, GRC is very lightweight — significantly lighter than precast concrete, in fact. It is both strong and durable, as well as being non-combustible and fire resistant. GRC is versatile, flexible and sustainable, making it easy to manufacture into a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as having acoustic advantages. Its comprehensive and cost-effective nature makes it simple, fast and safe to install, with much manufacturing doable offsite before installation, and it requires little to no maintenance. GRC also has the ability to take a variety of finishes, making it a chameleon in the construction industry.

Designed as an integrated feature of the build, the 200 GRC planters created by Satu Bumi for Kirra Gardens are fixed to slabs on each level of the complex. Manufactured in individual sizes to meet specific architectural requirements, many of the planters weigh over a quarter of a tonne. As the planters form the dominant external feature of the structure, some planters needed extended fascia that curved down the front of the planters to ensure a fully integrated appearance. The textured timber finish is a highly customised result that adds depth and dimension to the overall design.

Inspired by the essence of nature, the collaborative team of C.Kairouz Architects and Durie Design have, in Kirra Gardens, achieved a visionary modern village that integrates plantlife into its very fabric. An essential part of the build, the GRC planters and custom fascia manufactured by Satu Bumi harmoniously achieve the blend of manmade and natural elements the architects were striving for.

PROJECT PARTICULARS
Client Emery Group
Location Camberwell, Victoria
Project Management SEMZ
Builder Samssons Projects
Landscape Architect Durie Design
Building Architect C.Kairouz Architects
GRC Design & Manufacture Satu Bumi