Project: Cairns Convention Centre Expansion and Refurbishment
Product: 5,000 sqm of DOMINION® Wall Cladding, and KLIP-LOK 700® Roofing
Material/Colour: Monument® Matt
Builder: Lendlease
Architect: COX Architecture in association with CA Architects
Engineer: Arcadis Engineers
Installer: Matz Roofing (stage 1), HPS Contractors (stage 2)
The Cairns Convention Centre in tropical north Queensland has undergone a significant $176 million expansion and refurbishment to enhance its capacity and modernise its facilities. The renewed centre aims to complement Cairns' status as an eco-tourism hotspot while boosting its appeal in the international Business Events sector and extending its life as a major asset.
The original convention centre, designed by COX Architecture and completed in 1996, needed to retain its architectural integrity and strong sense of identity while incorporating new, sustainable elements. The expanded centre features an additional 10,500 square meters of space, including a grand new entrance, a 450-seat plenary lecture hall, multiple meeting rooms, exhibition spaces, a 500-seat rooftop banquet venue, and the stunning Trinity Terrace with panoramic views.
Project Background
The project's expansion required innovative solutions to meet several unique challenges. Located in a marine and cyclonic environment, the building needed materials that could withstand extreme weather conditions, including high winds and intense UV exposure. The convention centre also required more versatile and modern spaces to host simultaneous events, all while integrating seamlessly with the existing structure and the lush surroundings.
Fire safety and NCC compliance was a key goal for the refurbishment. “We needed a product to clad the new expansion built form as well as parts of the existing building. The existing building had sandwich panel cladding with a core that had general flammability concerns and was considered appropriate to replace in particular locations,” said Richard Coulson, Director of COX Architecture.
Other considerations were a pre-painted product that could achieve clean lines for aesthetic appeal, had versatility to work on curved sections, and was easy to install so that local labour could be used without requiring specialist skills. “Far North Queensland's remote location and limited infrastructure can present logistical challenges,” said Mark Duffin, Associate Director of CA Architects. “Lysaght are proactive in ensuring good supply chain of materials.”
The LYSAGHT® Solution
LYSAGHT DOMINION® was the optimal choice for the centre’s wall cladding, offering superior durability and resistance to the harsh tropical climate. “DOMINION® was the only panel in the market that could meet the wind pressure and debris impact requirements for this project due to the cyclonic region,” said Matt Hardy, Lysaght Specification Manager for Far North Queensland. “It was selected as a cost-effective product that could achieve the long lengths of sheeting required.”
285mm wide panels of DOMINION® were laid vertically on new and existing walls, and were curved around an old drum from original building to resolve waterproofing issues. “The elegance of the vertical panels and the capacity to be pulled into a curve was important of the project,” said Richard from COX Architecture. “DOMINION® was really suitable due to its flat expression and recessed seam. The secret screw fixing is a strong design outcome.”
“Its versatility in design made it a preferred choice,” agreed Mark from CA Architects. Monument® Matt was selected from the COLORBOND® range for its ability to recede from view and highlight the lush green tropical environment key to the region’s identity.
The KLIP-LOK 700® roofing system was chosen for the new extension, supplied in long lengths from ridge cap to gutter with a simple deep rib profile and concealed fixing clips, allowing for superb watertightness in the cyclone-prone region.
Project Execution
Managing contractor Lendlease persevered through the COVID pandemic, cyclones and supply chain and labour pressures to complete the project across 2 and half years.
Lysaght’s Design Solutions Group collaborated closely with the architects to ensure the ideal product solution was found and provide support throughout the process. “There was a quick turnaround in responses and the receipt of samples. We always enjoy Matt and the team’s commitment to the project outcomes,” said Richard from COX Architecture.
Kavitha Mysore and Sandeep Sharma from Lysaght’s Research & Technology team supported engineering and testing requirements, recommending increasing DOMINION®’s standard 0.55 BMT to 0.75 to best withstand the harsh marine and cyclonic environment. Additional benefits of the thicker BMT included achieving a higher kPa and reducing the risk of oil canning.
“The Lysaght team have been proactive and responsive to our design requirements on the Convention Centre project. We cannot fault the process,” said Mark Duffin, CA Architects.
With the project split into multiple stages, both HPS Contractors and Matz Roofing played crucial roles in the installation. Matz Roofing completed Stage 1, and had experience working with DOMINION® on the nearby Atherton Hospital, however for HPS Contractors completing Stage 2, it was the team’s first time using the product.
“Our tradesmen enjoyed installing the DOMINION® product as it is a simple installation process and the aesthetics are effective particularly when used on curved or rounded elevations,” said Shaun Seaniger, Roofing Project Manager from HPS. “The Lysaght team always prompt with any technical information that may be required for project specifications. Our experience is always positive.”
“The team at Lysaght were fantastic to work with, offering fast turnaround of materials to help complete the project,” said Matthew Newman, Director of Matz Roofing. “Lysaght were also great in offering all the design literature to support the NCC cyclonic requirements and fire properties of DOMINION®. All us at Matz Roofing really enjoyed working with Lysaght on Stage 1 of the Cairns Convention Centre.”
Outcomes
The upgraded Cairns Convention Centre now welcomes 35,000 conference delegates from around the world to Cairns each year and contributes over $100 million in visitor spend to the region. The project is a showcase of modern design and engineering excellence, and was shortlisted in the Building Scale category at the National Biophilic Design Awards.
“The Centre is a very sophisticated building. Yet it feels like a place of Cairns, which has a renowned, relaxed lifestyle,” noted Richard, from COX Architecture. “Convention centres are often large but sometimes soulless places. This expansion has allowed a richness which is quite rare for these spaces. It is open, generous and flexible and yet intimate at the same time. And that’s what Tropical North Queensland is as a destination.”
The DOMINION® cladding has transformed the centre’s facade, delivering a sleek, contemporary look that harmonises with Cairns’ magnificent landscape, contributing to the centre’s reputation as a premier venue in Queensland. “We feel the DOMINION® Matt product has turned out well and as envisaged. It provides a sharp architectural solution within the challenging Far North Queensland environment,” said Mark from CA Architects.
“Cairns Convention Centre is a prominent project for the region that finished within budget and on time, with all aspects of the supply chain running very smoothly,” said Lysaght’s Matt Hardy. “Having DOMINION® on such a high-profile project gives people confidence in using LYSAGHT® products. I often tell customers considering DOMINION® to drive past the Convention Centre to have a look.”
Learnings
The success of the Cairns Convention Centre has set a precedent for future projects in the region, demonstrating that with the right materials and support, ambitious architectural visions can be realised even in the most demanding environments.
Richard Coulson from COX Architecture commented, “The use of the DOMINION® product was very successful, and the wider team and client involved are very pleased with the end result. We would use it again as it is a pleasing profile and there are good standard details available.”
Matthew Newman of Matz Roofing said, “Our experience was great utilising the narrow cyclonic pan to curve around a full circle. The result looks amazing and we will taking away knowledge for other curved projects into the future.”
With the completion of landmark projects like Cairns Convention Centre and Atherton Hospital, also featuring DOMINION® installed by Matz Roofing, Lysaght has cemented itself as the market leader for cyclonic products and superior supply chain for the region.
For Lysaght, the BMT testing during this project became a major contributor to recent improvements to the DOMINION® cyclonic range, with a 0.7 BMT becoming the new standard for Far North Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Conclusion
The $176 million transformation of Cairns Convention Centre has revitalised a landmark, driving tourism and fostering economic growth in the region. Lysaght’s commitment to collaboration and providing exceptional products was paramount to realising the architectural vision and cultural identity of the project. The innovative use of DOMINION® and KLIP-LOK 700® has upgraded the building to modern standards and ensured its readiness to host world-class events for years to come. The centre exemplifies what can be achieved when excellence in product and execution come together to create lasting impact.
ABOUT DOMINION® :
With its raised, flat panels, recessed express joints providing shadowed channels, and the ability to create a modular block-like effect, DOMINION® delivers a clean, modern appearance on any building. Whether used vertically or horizontally, the profile conveys a sleek, contemporary character with a pleasing detail created by the shadowed channels. To suit the requirements of most projects, DOMINION® is available in standard and custom cover width variants. Explore more about DOMINION® here.