The General Northcote: Onyx Solar glass in building’s facade is Australia’s first
AN APARTMENT building in Melbourne’s north is Australia’s first to feature a brand new solar technology built into the facade.
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A GROUNDBREAKING new building in Northcote is the first in Australia to have solar cells built into the facade.
Dubbed “The General”, the apartment block uses amorphous silicon glass in its north-facing balustrades, acting as a giant solar panel for the building.
Imported from Spain, the glass passes the same safety standards as other building materials.
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Traditional solar cells are made using crystalline silicon but this photovoltaic technology can be used over larger areas and in different shapes and sizes.
The most common use of amorphous silicon is in the small solar cells on pocket calculators.
C Kairouz Architects director Chahid Kairouz said the technology was part of a socially conscious design that would future-proof the building.
The family had to personally purchase the glass from Spain because the banks wouldn’t fund the then unproven technology.
“We had a genuine desire to put our money where our mouth is and take a leap of faith, to adopt this technology and combat some issues we’re having with our environment,” Mr Kairouz said.
The 7.5-star energy rated building also has a 25,000-litre rainwater tank, rooftop terrace and planter boxes in each apartment.
The fully double-glazed building also has 137 bike spaces, more than the number of apartments.
A partnership between C Kairouz Architects and Cedar Group, the building began as a tribute to Mr Kairouz’s late father.
Samir Kairouz established Cedar Meats on the site in 1984 and the award-winning business has grown to employ more than 400 people.
Mr Kairouz and his uncle George Kairouz embarked on a family mission to design and create a fitting tribute to their fathers’ legacy.
“My father was known as the general because he was tough but fair,” Mr Kairouz said.
“He was a leader and we want this building to be a leader and a first.”
The Onyx Solar glass was imported by Environmental Technology Solutions.
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