Hebel Matters

Why Rainer Strunz of Plus Architecture chooses Hebel – Part 2

Situated in South Yarra’s Forrest Hill precinct, less than four kilometres from the city’s CBD, Central South Yarra is a development by Little Projects comprising 31 storeys with a total of 357 apartments.

The project also provides for retail space on the ground floor and a rooftop retreat for residents on the top level. Known as the Rooftop Retreat, this area will offer resort-style amenities such as a pool and fitness zone, as well as facilities for hosting dinner parties in a landscaped terrace setting.

Construction of the Central South Yarra development is being carried out by Hickory, with the award-winning Plus Architecture responsible for interior design throughout the complex.

Plus Architecture’s project architect for Central South Yarra, Stuart Telha, was a keen proponent for the use of Hebel wall systems for the intertenancy walls of the penthouses.

“In addition to the others benefits of the Hebel panels, we knew we could achieve the required fire rating as well with them,” he said.

Central South Yarra – Apartment Living Space

Hebel noted for high fire resistance

This was in reference to the well-known high fire resistance of the Hebel panels, the result of their non-combustible nature. The Hebel wall panel provides the fire rated element which means only one sealant is required at the head, with no need for plasterboard to continue from the slab to the soffit. In addition to providing the fire rating, therefore, this simplifies the installation process with one joint to set instead of two, and no third plasterboard section to cut and install. There is also no need for time-consuming caulking on both sides for fire rating. The time saving also results in costs saving on a project, which is seen as another major benefit of working with Hebel wall panels.

“It’s a great product, and we use it for our quality, high-end projects,” said Rainer Strunz, a Director of the Plus Architecture practice.

He pointed out that until recently there had been a perception by some people that Hebel should be installed only by those who had been trained in the masonry industry such as bricklayers and plasterers. “It was seen as mainly a wet trade rather than a dry trade, but that is not correct,” he said.

“Another thing people may not know is that Hebel supplies training for people who want to learn how to install the product, which is a great offer.

“I genuinely believe it is a good quality product. We will continue to use it in projects such as the Central South Yarra penthouses and we will continue to recommend it to our clients for that type of purpose.”