When Probuild successfully secured the $300 million construction contract to redevelop the QIC-owned Grand Central Shopping Centre in Toowoomba, Queensland they knew they were looking for innovative building materials to complete the ambitious design.
The project involved doubling the size of the centre (90,000m2), and as it was a renovation there were some difficult areas to manage, including a front facing facade section. The design called for a suspended ‘brick blade’ prefabricated brick panel facade, and this was a construction challenge EMPIRE Brick could solve.
Prefabricated brick panel projects using brick facings embedded into concrete are not necessarily unique (EMPIRE Brick does this too), but due to the complexity of this design, the need for a lightweight solution and the transport distance for the panels, the Probuild engineers requested the EMPIRE Brick and Rail System to ensure stability and quality.
The intricate brick blade suspended panels were assembled offsite in Brisbane, transported to Toowoomba, and craned into position onsite. Mortaring was then completed on site.
The result: a striking and innovative facade showcasing bricks in a modern design.
To read more about this exciting project visit the Probuild page – Click Here
