Product
Superior performance to maximise both Solar Control (very low SHGC) and Insulation (very low U-value), without compromising Visible Light. This allows more inside comfort, clarity, and high levels of natural light entering inside.
Specification
- Outer: 6mm LowE Max Toughened
- Spacer: 12mm spacer with Argon Gas
- Inner: 6mm Clear Toughened
Site Address
59 Dempster St, Ferntree Gully, VIC 3156
Fabricator
Architect
Builder
Challenge
The Knox Regional Netball Centre (KRNC), located in Ferntree Gully, Victoria, under the jurisdiction of Knox City Council, is the leading netball facility in the region, comprising four indoor and eighteen outdoor netball courts. In response to growing participation and heightened community expectations, the centre underwent a major extension and refurbishment, officially opening in December 2023. Funded by Council in partnership with state and federal government, the $15.658 million project exemplifies technical excellence and the integration of advanced building systems.
Given the scale and ambition of the redevelopment, the design team led by k20 Architecture and builder Devco faced several key challenges. The architecture called for expansive glazed façades to maximise natural light, enhance visual amenity and support the performance requirements of indoor courts, while still mitigating solar heat gain and heat loss. The facility’s heavy usage profile – hosting club competitions, social sport, school groups and major tournaments – also placed increased emphasis on acoustic control and occupant comfort.
Knox City Council’s sustainability objectives further required the building to perform at a high level of energy efficiency, daylighting and long-term operational cost control. For a sports venue of this size and intensity of use, the striking 53-metre structurally glazed façade could not simply meet minimum code requirements, but needed to actively contribute to the broader performance, durability and environmental goals of the project.
In this context, the glazing solution had to be carefully selected and precisely integrated – not only for daylight and visibility, but also for thermal stability, acoustic insulation, installation accuracy across varied façade sections, and longevity in a high-traffic community asset. SMB Glass Windows & Doors, working in collaboration with AGG, proposed the use of Insulglass LowE Max® double glazing to address these intersecting requirements.
Solution
Insulglass LowE Max® double glazing played a pivotal role in realising the design vision for the KRNC redevelopment. With a very low U-value partnered with a very low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), the glazing delivered strong thermal performance across the extensive glazed spans, helping to maintain a stable internal environment and reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling systems. Daylight was maximised without compromising user comfort – an essential outcome in a high-activity sporting facility.
Acoustic performance was also significantly enhanced, with the double-glazing units supporting the building’s acoustic strategy by reducing unwanted sound transfer both internally (from court to court) and externally towards surrounding residential areas. This was particularly important given the intensity of simultaneous sporting activity and the centre’s role as a major community facility.
The complexity of the glazing scope was a defining feature of the project. The Knox Regional Netball Centre includes a 53-metre structurally glazed façade, along with a 5-metre-high façade that demanded a high level of precision in both fabrication and installation.
“This was a technically demanding project, particularly with the scale of the glazing and the structural requirements of the façade,” said Juzer Dawood, Sales and Project Director, SMB Glass Windows & Doors. “From detailed shop drawings through to installation using cranes and specialised lifting equipment, precision and coordination were critical. Working closely with k20 Architecture, Devco and AGG allowed us to deliver a façade that performs as well as it presents.”
Due to the size and weight of the glazing units, installation was carried out using cranes and specialised lifting equipment, requiring careful coordination to ensure accuracy, safety and programme efficiency. In addition, all awning windows were automated to facilitate natural ventilation, supporting both occupant comfort and the building’s passive design strategy.
From a façade integration perspective, AGG and SMB Glass Windows & Doors worked closely to ensure manufacturing precision, batch consistency and installation accuracy across the varied façade orientations and heights. As Dawood noted, “the glazing solution had to balance daylight, thermal performance, acoustics and constructability across a very large and highly active public facility.”
Sustainability outcomes were further strengthened through the glazing system’s contribution to increased daylight access, reduced artificial lighting demand and lower overall energy consumption. These outcomes aligned with Knox City Council’s commitment to delivering a facility that performs efficiently today while remaining resilient and cost-effective over its lifespan. “Insulglass LowE Max® enabled us to achieve that balance,” Dawood said, “while automated awning windows further supported natural ventilation and occupant comfort.”
The result is a light-filled, high-performance sports venue that meets and exceeds user, community and sustainability expectations. The project’s success was recognised with Highly Commended status at both the Victorian and National AGWA Design Awards, acknowledging the effective integration of high-performance glazing solutions within a major public infrastructure project. Reflecting on the outcome, Dawood said it is “a project we’re extremely proud to have delivered for the Knox community.”
Recognition:
2025 AGWA State Design Awards – VIC Highly Recommended Commercial Project – $250-$750K
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