Colourful and Protective Solutions at Cannington Leisureplex

A Playful, Modern Façade Stands Proud with Danpal’s Colour Palette

The Canning Aquatic Centre, Queens Park Recreation Centre and Queens Park Library have been united to become the Cannington Leisureplex. Cannington in Western Australia is now home to a $34 million centre with spaces and activities for the whole community. The challenges of such a massive project included lighting, acoustics and insulation.

The building has been future proofed by the forward-thinking architects. Danpal Seamless Façade with Danpalon^® panels in Ice and bright colours directly address the lighting, acoustics and insulation challenges. Not only is the façade practical in every sense, it is fitting for the location where families, children and the community can delight in colour.

The aquatic centre was also fitted with 7.0m high vertical polycarbonate panels in the colour Reflective Grey. Other more conventional glazing panels commonly require extensive steel framing and on-going maintenance to prevent oxidisation caused by chlorine. The Danpal Seamless façade system that was used to support the panels can free span at large heights, thus not requiring any intermediate framework.

Sound attenuation must be considered in large spaces such as the Leisureplex. In using Danpalon^®, Christou architects reduced the need for additional, extensive acoustic insulation. Danpalon^®’s microcell structure provides excellent thermal and solar insulation to the building with low ‘U’ values. Using traditional glass in the ten-lane pool complex risked introducing too much light and glare into the complex. Danpalon^® panels eliminate these risks as they reflect and diffuse solar radiation, thus managing heat and light during harsh Australian summers.

As light permeates the Danpal façade, it is diffused and dispersed evenly inside the building. Effective light diffusion reduces glare, brings natural light into the space and eliminates the need for external building shades.

As public buildings can fall victim to graffiti damage, the façades were treated with Danpal’s High-Protection (HP) treatment. HP makes graffiti removal easy without damaging the facades and provides superior protection against environmental pollution. Christou architects used six colours to create a playful welcome to visitors and introduce colour into the interior of the building.

Working with Danpal to customise panel lengths, types and finishes allowed products to fit to the building envelope and design. This reduced the need for structural supports or a change to the preferred design.

Using Danpalon^® meant quick installation on site and easy-handling due to the panels being naturally lightweight.

The manufacturing process of the panels produces less waste than traditional ‘standard’ sized materials due to the panels being custom made. Fewer fixtures, supports and their waste materials compared to traditional materials were needed. Fewer breakages or products shattering were experienced on-site due to the durability of the panels. Less long-term maintenance costs and replacement products will benefit the building and budget well into the future.

Danpalon^® can withstand high wind loads and is impact resistant. Panels are recyclable and they reduce temperature and lighting energy demands of the building through their insulative properties and light diffusion.

View the Cannington Leisureplex Project Gallery

Click to explore more project case study articles or view our project case study videos.