DSF had multiple teams to liaise with throughout the build. For the exterior construction of the rear extensions and studio/garage spaces, they worked closely with Site Manager, Aidan O’Shannessy and his team at Nine in Six Builders who were pleased to again be working with framing made from TRUECORE^® steel. Said Mr O’Shannessy, “The design and prefab process worked a lot more seamlessly this year and was better orchestrated. We were able to stand up the extension framework in a really good time and the end product speaks for itself.”

For all of the non-structural walls within the extensions and studio/garages, Mr Blythe (DSF) worked with each of the team builders to measure and design these spaces. Said Mr Blythe, “I was there every Monday morning marking up the frames for each team. We would draw up any changes on my computer, I’d email them back to the factory and in the time it took me to drive to the factory, the frames were made and I would pick these up, drive back and deliver them to site.”

Not only under the pump from a time perspective, but the designs this year also included some complex angles. “There were some very interesting architectural features in the design of the extension, especially in Houses #1 and #5” remembers Mr O’Shannessy. He continued, “These were really bespoke designs which had composite walls and roof pitches that are twisting and almost have an elliptical feel to them. This really added to the complexity for the fabricators”. Mr Blythe laughs as he recalls these features. “The roofs on House #1 and House #5, with all of the angles, were the most complicated things to get right. We spent a lot of time getting those roofs to work to code and to structural requirements. They are wildly unconventional!”

Another challenge thrown DSF’s way was the curved wall requested by House #3 that also included a fireplace centrepiece in the middle. Said Mr Blythe, “We were able to create the curved walls just by thinking out of the box. There are two pretty serious curves - one curve went in both directions on a wall. It was great to show contestants what steel can do.”

Outcomes

Despite the many obstacles this season, Dynamic Steel Frame was delighted to once again be involved in such a unique project. “The atmosphere is challenging,” said Mr Blythe, “But it’s very rewarding especially when you’re on the ground working directly with the contestants to make their vision a reality.”

Mr O’Shannessy agreed. “It was a very challenging project, but it has come out really well and everyone’s very proud of the end product. We certainly are, and we wouldn’t be able to produce the end product without all of our partners including BlueScope. It’s a really good testament to everybody’s input and the project has been a really great collaborative effort to get it over the line.”

The Block architect, Julian Brenchley is thrilled that the teams were able to bring his vision to life using framing made from TRUECORE^® steel.

“The design flexibility of the materials and the structure made our job much easier. It is lightweight steel prefabricated in a factory, so the quality is just out of this world as opposed to timber stick construction on site. We get straight walls and it’s a really good system - in that it just comes together. It’s prefabricated in a factory that comes to site and it works. It can’t get better than that.”

Julian Brenchley, The Block architect

Mr Brenchley also acknowledged the waste reduction benefits of using TRUECORE^® steel, “plus, the steel in TRUECORE^® steel is 100% recyclable, making these frames a great choice to help conserve resources, which is a big tick from me.”