Location: Endeavour Drive, Mango Hill Qld Developer/Manager: Australian Retirement Communities Designer/Builder: J&G Knowles & Associates Bricklayer: Ian Stephens, Terry Conway Austral Bricks products: • TerraÇade terracotta facade system - Bunbury Smooth • Purpose-Made Commons bricks- Universal 90 mm, Avanti 90 mm (double-height) • Trend Series clay pavers - Ashgrove (main paver), Birkdale (borders) • Bristile Swiss profile terracotta roof tiles - Sunset (70%), Natural Blend (15%), Ivory (15%) • Roman ridges   NOVEMBER 2005

With over 3500 units under management, Australian Retirement Communities is Australia’s largest independently-owned retirement company. Part of the Knowles group, J&G Knowles designs and builds their villages and handles their marketing and ongoing management.

“Because we know we will be looking after these properties for the long term, it is very important we use products we know will stand the test of time and won’t require significant upkeep or maintenance,” explains Des Powell, ARC’s construction manager.

The company’s first venture outside Victoria is an 8.5 hectare development that will comprise 170 two-bedroom independent living units, 56 condominiums and 28 serviced apartments. Under the units’ sandstone-coloured acrylic render are Austral Bricks Purpose-Made Commons, predominantly the Avanti 90 mm double-height clay blocks. “They are slimmer and lighter than concrete blocks,” says Powell, “and just as economical and easier to lay.”

As part of the Californian design theme, the architect, Terry Edwards, specified a three-way blend of terracotta roof tiles from Austral Bricks sister company, Bristile Roofing. The rounded Swiss profile is capped with Roman ridge fittings. “The market loves terracotta roofs,” says Des Powell. “They associate quality and prestige with the product.”

A panel of Austral Bricks TerraÇade features at one end of the salt-chlorinated communal swimming pool. “It’s a feature that is durable and easy to maintain,” says Powell. “Installation was straightforward. It’s a pretty simple product to work with.”

Stage one of the project was completed in time for first tenants in May 2005. By late 2005 about two-thirds of construction was complete and ARC expects to finalise the balance by September 2006.