High performance glass from Viridian (formerly Pilkington and DMS Glass) occupies a pivotal role in bringing to life Audi Australia’s flagship headquarters designed by Johnson Pilton Walker.

The car-maker’s sleek automotive designs are mirrored by the high performance glass used in the project. High performance glass permits light and vista with minimal reflections for optimum exposure of its sleek vehicles. The aptly named Audi Lighthouse provides more than a sneak peek at the automotive catwalk. It’s all highoctane clarity married to environmental performance that drives this showroom.

Audi’s 16,000sqm, eight-level Australian headquarters and principal showroom is located on a 3655sqm site on South Dowling Street, Roseberry in Sydney’s fringe suburbs. A flagship retail showroom and customer facilities, aftersales centre and commercial space are included in the $50 million project. It will also be used as a forum for events and new product launches.

Audi is one of the few car-makers to bridge architecture and automotive design and has busily been crafting a reputation for design excellence.
Viridian worked with Arup engineers to find the right product and solar thermal control balance was they key. The high performance glass is able to showcase cars along the roadway while remaining an environmentally responsible building.

Audi’s ‘Lighthouse’ is a star night-time performer and spends the day bathed in natural light.

The lighthouse project includes 9.52 and 13.52mm Viridian EnviroShield XIR EnergyTech toughened laminated panels.

Viridian EnviroShield XIR high performance glass allows maximum daylight and clarity with minimum energy consumption. Viridian XIR high performance glass rates in the top end for solar control glass products and offers greater reduction in solar heat gain.

Anthony Gunther, Viridian State Segment Manager NSW, said “With a product such as With EnviroShield the architect is able to use large expanses of glass and light without compromising the cooling loads of the building, most important from a BCA Part J requirement, it provides the visual clarity this iconic building deserves.”