CSR Gyprock has supported the Kithbrooke Park Retirement Village in Torquary, Victoria by providing the project with several ceiling and wall system solutions.

The solutions were provided along with MOC Developments and Molloys Plastering, helping achieve compliance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) requirements for specific acoustic provisions.

The BCA has certain classifications and regulations when it comes to aged care requirements, including fire resistance, acoustic transmission and absorption, structural integrity, energy efficiency and wet areas to ensure spaces are safe and liveable.

There are therefore important elements and guidelines to consider when building an aged care facility to create the most comfortable and personalised environment to offer residents the best quality of life.

It has long been acknowledged that Australia is an ageing population and by 2056 the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to be 8.7 million or 22% of the population, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

As a result, there is significant building activity in the aged care sector involving renovations or new, purpose-built projects.

The new 128-bed Kithbrooke Park Retirement Village is a new purpose-built project that has attributes of a much larger home, providing modern aged care.

MOC Developments specified Gyprock’s Rigitone Galaxy for the ceilings of the facility due to its acoustic properties. Part of the Gyprock’s perforated plasterboard range, Rigitone Galaxy features panel perforations, acoustic fabric lining and insulation that reduce echo and noise reverberation, while VOC-reducing Activ’Air technology improves indoor air quality. Activ’Air converts formaldehyde into non-harmful inert compounds that are permanently locked in the board and cannot be released back into the air.

For the walls, Gyprock Soundchek was specified due to its ability to reduce sound transmission and level of impact resistance.

“Using Soundchek and Rigitone Galaxy throughout helped to provide effective impact noise insulation, creating the ultimate acoustics solution system for a comfortable living environment,” says Molloys Plastering owner Brad Molloy.

All the bathrooms of the Kithbrooke Park Retirement Village were lined with Gyprock Aquachek plasterboard, a moisture resistant wall and ceiling lining suitable for wet areas. Throughout the rest of the Village, Gyprock fire-rated wall and ceiling systems, featuring Gyprock Fyrchek plasterboard were specified in the kitchens and utility areas to meet fire resistant standards. Gyprock plasterboard was used as the core product for bedrooms, common areas and remaining walls, while Gyprockbase and topping compounds were used throughout.

“Partnering with Gyprock meant that we could work with the ‘Gyprock Aged Care Design Guide’ to meet compliance standards. We also had access   to their network of stores – allowing us to be in close proximity of the Gyprock Trade store in Geelong, Victoria, ensuring availability of product and timely deliveries,” says Brad.