Avia Townhouses: Raising the roof on modern design
The Avia Townhouses in Googong, 30 minutes from Canberra’s CBD, represent a forward-thinking approach to residential design, balancing contemporary aesthetics with sustainability and community-focused living.
Developed as part of the growing Googong community, the project comprises a mix of spacious three-bedroom terrace houses and apartments designed to promote a sense of belonging and connection among residents.
Avia’s architectural design required a cladding solution that could provide a sleek, modern appearance while also being durable, low-maintenance, and able to meet the project’s strict aesthetic standards.
With the project’s large scale and over 3,500 square metres of required cladding — the installation had to be efficient and streamlined to avoid delays and minimise onsite challenges.
The right profile: DOMINION® delivers
LYSAGHT's DOMINION® profile, with its raised flat panels and recessed express joints, was the ideal choice for achieving the modular, contemporary appearance envisioned by DNA Architects.
“It’s the fact that it’s a prefinished product,” explained Jay Robinson, Lysaght’s Account Manager. “There’s over three and a half thousand square metres — it was a very large project. The builders and owners didn’t want any maintenance issues, which you often get with traditional methods, and DOMINION® just looks fantastic. Those two factors — the prefinished nature and the ease of installation — were big reasons for choosing DOMINION®.”
DOMINION®’s clean lines and shadowed channels lend a sophisticated, modern look to the facades, whether installed vertically or horizontally. For Avia, the profile was installed horizontally, creating a striking visual impact that enhances the development’s street presence.
No surprises, no setbacks: An installer’s dream
The lightweight nature of the DOMINION® profile and its prefinished surface meant that installers could quickly and accurately fit the panels, reducing the time required on site and lowering the risk of errors.
“The fact that it’s prefinished is a big plus. The builders these days are moving more towards prefinished cladding because it eliminates the need for repainting every 12 months, which is awesome for us as a company,” said Hayden, installer from Seven Facade.
The demand for prefinished products like DOMINION® is growing as builders and designers look for ways to deliver a polished look while reducing ongoing maintenance requirements for property owners.
“Dominion® was a great product to work with — lightweight, easy to handle, and quick to install,” noted Hayden. “It’s a well-finished product that saves time and money on site. Plus, it’s forgiving if a mistake is made. Unlike some other high-cost products, if a sheet was cut wrong, it was quick and affordable to reorder.”
This flexibility was a significant advantage during the large-scale Avia project.
“The guys have done a really good job on the install,” Jay noted. A problem that can occur in prefinished products like that is oil canning, which is just a simple distortion in the metal that shows up. But Seven Facade did a very, very good job with the level of craftsmanship they put into it to ensure they met the aesthetic expectations.”
Right place, right time
Lysaght provided ongoing technical support throughout the project, working closely with the project team to ensure that the DOMINION® cladding was installed efficiently and to a high standard.
“Even if we needed a box of screws or something, Jay would drive out and drop them off to see where the job was up to,” Hayden.
The project’s size and scope required meticulous planning to ensure that the cladding panels were delivered and installed in line with the project’s overall construction schedule. This was compounded by the tight time frame for unloading materials, as the site had limited crane availability.
“The contractors had a very, very tight window of opportunity to unload the trucks, which had to be very closely managed by our team,” explained Jay.
Lysaght implemented a logistics management plan, with an online booking system and close coordination between the site team and Lysaght’s transport team. This ensured that materials arrived exactly when needed, minimising downtime and keeping the project on track.
Turning heads: The striking impact of Avia’s finish
The completed Avia Townhouses are visually striking, with the LYSAGHT DOMINION® cladding adding a distinct character and modern appeal to the façades.
“As you drive into Googong, the façade of Avia is visually stunning,” said Jay. “It’s a long, continuous stretch of DOMINION®, and it really stands out. The team onsite did an excellent job with the installation, keeping everything aligned and true, which really showcases the product.”
The Avia Townhouses are a testament to the power of innovative design and high-quality materials, delivering a modern, sustainable living environment for the Googong community. With LYSAGHT DOMINION®, the project achieved a striking architectural result, providing residents with beautiful, low-maintenance homes for years to come.
