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Archbuild is a Sydney architect-builder delivering luxury custom homes, major renovations and selected residential projects across Sydney Hills, the North Shore and Greater Sydney.
This page explains some of the structural systems and construction methods Archbuild has used or may recommend, including piling, elevated concrete slabs, steel framing, lightweight concrete systems, double glazing and engineered solutions for sites affected by sewer assets.
The appropriate construction system is selected for each project according to the site conditions, geotechnical information, structural engineering, architectural design, planning and authority requirements, energy-performance objectives, budget and client brief. Not every system described on this page is required or suitable for every home.
Steel and Concrete Piling for Challenging Sites
On sites where near-surface soil does not provide adequate support for the proposed building, the structural engineer may specify steel screw piles, bored concrete piles or another deep-foundation system.
Piles transfer building loads through weaker ground to soil or rock strata with suitable bearing capacity. The type, depth, spacing and capacity of the piles are determined from geotechnical information, structural loads, site access and the engineer’s design.
Archbuild has experience coordinating piling systems for custom homes and complex residential sites where ground conditions require more than a conventional shallow footing solution.
Elevated and Suspended Concrete Slabs
Depending on the site levels, soil conditions, drainage, access and architectural design, an elevated or suspended concrete slab may be used instead of a conventional slab-on-ground.
Where piles are required, the slab and supporting beams can be engineered to transfer the building loads to the piling system. An elevated floor may also assist with site drainage, ventilation, service access and inspection beneath the building, depending on the design.
Waterproofing, stormwater management, termite management and subfloor detailing remain separate design requirements and must be resolved for each project.
Steel-Frame and Structural-Steel Construction
Archbuild has used steel framing and structural-steel systems where they support the architectural design, structural spans, construction methodology and long-term performance objectives of the project.
Steel can provide high strength, dimensional consistency and the ability to achieve long spans, cantilevers and slender structural elements. It is also resistant to rot and is not a food source for termites.
Steel framing does not remove the need for termite-management measures, because termites can still enter a building and damage plasterboard linings, joinery and other cellulose-based materials. Steel must also be properly insulated and detailed to manage thermal bridging and condensation.
The choice between steel, timber or a hybrid structural system is made project by project, in consultation with the structural engineer and other relevant consultants.
Lightweight Concrete Floor and Wall Systems
Where appropriate, Archbuild may use proprietary lightweight concrete systems, such as autoclaved aerated concrete for floors and walls construction.
These systems can reduce structural self-weight while providing useful thermal, acoustic and fire-performance characteristics. Their performance depends on the selected product, panel thickness, reinforcement, insulation, joints, coatings and installation method.
The complete system must be coordinated with the structural design, waterproofing, façade detailing, services and manufacturer’s technical requirements.
Where a proprietary system is proposed, Archbuild considers its performance, buildability, availability, durability and compatibility with the overall architectural design.
Brick, Masonry and External Wall Systems
Brick, blockwork, lightweight concrete and framed cladding systems can each be appropriate when selected and detailed for the project.
Brick veneer is a recognised residential construction system. Its performance depends on correct structural ties, cavity detailing, flashings, damp-proof courses, insulation, articulation joints, drainage and workmanship.
Solid masonry can provide durability, thermal mass and acoustic benefits, but it also increases structural weight and embodied impacts. Brick veneer generally provides less internal thermal mass than reverse brick veneer or solid masonry because the brick layer is outside the insulated framed wall.
Archbuild assesses external-wall systems according to architectural character, thermal and acoustic performance, structural requirements, moisture management, maintenance, embodied impacts, cost and buildability rather than recommending one material for every project.
Double-Glazed Window Systems
Archbuild commonly recommends double-glazed window systems where thermal comfort, energy efficiency, acoustic performance or condensation control are important project objectives.
The performance of a window depends on more than the number of glass panes. Glass type, cavity width, frame material, thermal breaks, seals, opening type, installation quality, orientation and shading all affect the result.
Window systems should therefore be selected using project-specific performance information, including U-value, solar heat-gain coefficient and acoustic ratings where relevant.
Building Near or Over Sewer Assets
Archbuild has experience working on residential sites affected by existing sewer infrastructure.
Building over or close to a sewer asset requires project-specific investigation, authority requirements, structural engineering and careful coordination of the building foundations.
Depending on the location, condition and ownership of the asset, an approved solution may involve maintaining required clearances, replacing part of the pipeline, concrete encasement, access provisions or engineered bridge beams that transfer building loads away from the sewer.
Any proposed solution must be assessed and approved for the particular site before construction proceeds.
Sustainability and Whole-of-Life Performance
Archbuild considers sustainability as part of the relationship between architectural design, structural systems, material selection and construction delivery.
Project decisions may consider orientation, passive solar design, shading, natural ventilation, insulation, glazing, thermal mass, operational energy, embodied impacts, durability, maintenance, water management and the potential for future adaptation.
No single construction material is automatically the most sustainable choice in every situation. The appropriate solution depends on climate, site conditions, quantity of material, construction method, expected service life and the effect that the material has on the building’s ongoing energy use.
As both architect and builder, Archbuild can consider these issues during design and continue coordinating them through documentation, procurement and construction.
Important note
The construction systems shown on this page are examples of approaches used or considered by Archbuild. Final structural, geotechnical, waterproofing, energy, fire, acoustic and authority requirements are determined separately for each project by the relevant consultants, certifiers, manufacturers and approval authorities.
If you are planning a luxury custom home, renovation or residential project, Archbuild can help guide the process from early design through approvals, construction and handover.