Darwin Convention Centre
Project Scope:
- Roofing, Façade & Durra Panel Installation.
- Roof Sheeting: 8,500m².
- Wall Cladding: 4,000m².
- Soffit Lining: 2,500m².
- Durra Panel Internal Soffit Lining: 6,000m².
The Darwin Convention Centre presented a highly complex Roof and Façade scope, defined by its curved roof geometry forming a convex shell. This architectural form reflects not only the cultural significance to Indigenous inhabitants of the region, but also Darwin’s broader history, drawing inspiration from the city’s pearling heritage and the form of a pearl.
At its longest point, the roof sheeting extended up to 50.0 metres in length, tapering progressively towards the rear of the building. This required on-site mobile roll forming and the utilisation of dual crane lifts to load the roofing safely and efficiently, also eliminating costly and problematic transport issues
Due to the length of the roof sheets, the complex curved geometry, and the environmental conditions, including thermal expansion and contraction, high wind cyclonic region requirements, and intense seasonal rainfall at the waterfront location, careful consideration was given to product selection to mitigate design and performance risks.
A conventional screw-fixed sheeting system was not suitable for this application. The nominated roofing solution was the Fielders HiKlip® 630 Concealed Fix Roofing Profile, providing both performance and durability in a demanding environment.
Wall cladding and soffit linings were completed using Spandek in an Ultra finish system, ensuring a consistent and high-quality architectural outcome suitable for the harsh marine environment
Oversized box gutters were required to accommodate the project’s drainage demands, resulting in the use of non-standard coils measuring 1,500mm wide x 1.5mm stainless steel box gutters.
Approximately 6,000m² of Durra Panel acoustic lining was installed to the underside of the roof structure. A ground-based prefabrication and lifting methodology was adopted, significantly improving safety outcomes and reducing exposure to delays associated with Darwin’s tropical wet season.