Bringing the Outside in – BINQ Windows

Renowned nationally for combining the benefits of local Australian manufacturing with the performance of European technology, BINQ Windows is on a mission to raise the industry standard by providing customers with excellence in products and service. Putting this mantra to the test after being tasked with facilitating an established connection with the outdoor environment, the BINQ Archetto Series of timber windows and doors have been used to maximum effect in Kew Residence by Chamberlain Architects.

Built by Heidi Build, Kew Residence is located amongst the leafy streets of the Melbourne suburb for which it was named. The highly detailed contemporary design creates a sophisticated open-plan family home with ample living and entertaining space. A strong connection with the outdoors, maximising natural light and airflow throughout the spaces, was integral to the vision for a calm and tranquil home connected to nature. This key element of the design was achieved through the use of BINQ Archetto series timber Lift Slide Doors and Tilt & Turn Windows in blackwood stain.

Built by Heidi Build, Kew Residence is located amongst the leafy streets of the Melbourne suburb for which it was named.

Andre Griffs, BINQ’s head of design and architectural sales, explains that the company is passionate about working with architects and builders throughout the design and construction process. “Doors and windows are a significant part of the building solution, and so we try to be as engaged in this process as possible,” he says. “Frequently, we will work in close collaboration with the architects and builders to ensure all possibilities are carefully considered and the best options are selected.”

The large scale of the Archetto series along with its exceptional thermal efficiency ensure that Kew Residence can bring the outside in without compromising on thermal performance. “The BINQ Archetto series of timber doors and windows provide Passive House level thermal performance, effortless functionality and unrivalled security,” says Andre. “The Archetto range is suitable for Passive House, so the doors and windows on this project performance is significantly greater than the specified requirement.”

The large scale of the Archetto series along with its exceptional thermal efficiency ensure that Kew Residence can bring the outside in without compromising on thermal performance.

The overall scale of the windows specified throughout the Kew Residence, combined with the narrowness of the site, provided challenges throughout the building and installation process. “We find clients are often excited and somewhat nervous when the windows arrive on site,” says Managing Director of Heidi Build Joel Griffs. “We have found installing them is a juggling act. You need to have a white gloves approach whilst handling upwards of 300kg panes of glass. Often using cranes, machines and large labour forces to bring it home.”

When asked as to how BINQ factored into the building process, Joel goes on to say that BINQ’s windows and doors “are always a big feature in any project they are a part of. I think that’s mostly attributed to not just their performance but their sheer size as well. Having installed BINQ Windows on multiple projects across the country (as far north as Noosa), we were familiar with their German hardware systems and large format glazing.”

Ultimately, BINQ Windows aims to offer the design community value, sustainability, quality and an excellent client experience across both the design and the construction process – values that Joel says were evident in the Kew project. “The performance of BINQ Windows is unparalleled by any other window systems we have used,” he comments. “As a builder, having support from our suppliers is everything. Whenever we’ve picked up the phone and asked for help, our rep and the service team at BINQ have never hesitated to pop out to site and lend a hand, whether it be advice, spare parts or even at times some extra labour.”

It is this highly personalised approach, coupled with the overall quality of the BINQ product offering, that helped to deliver a sustainable window and door solution for the Kew Residence. And all the while, the generous scale of the product facilitates the home’s strong connection between the built and natural environment.