Home Taronga Zoo Sydney, NSW Architect: Cox Richardson Architecture Builder: Taylor Group Product: ShapeShell™-RC Surface Area: Terrace Application: Planter Boxes Responsibility: Design, Engineer & Manufacture of Feature Elements Details
Home Gem Apartments Williamstown, VIC Architect: Elenberg Fraser Builder: BuildCorp Commercial Product: ShapeShell™-RC Surface Area: Terrace Application: Planter Boxes Responsibility: Design, Engineer & Manufacture of Feature Elements Details
Home Piccolo House Melbourne, VIC Architect: Taylor. Cullity. Lethlean (T.C.L) Builder: Lang Construction Product: ShapeShell™-RC Surface Area: Terrace Application: Planter Boxes Responsibility: Design, Engineer & Manufacture of Feature Elements Details Located on the terrace of Piccolo Developments head office, these GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete) planters offer a unique geometric element that represents the company’s unique way of defining luxury and style. These four unique planters share sweeping curves and lines making the terrace a welcoming area of retreat with an amazing view of Melbourne CDB. The complex geometry of the planters was a key element offered by the CNC (Computer Numerical Control) capabilities at ShapeShift. The ability to make complex moulds for GRC products is a step above any other GRC supplier which gives ShapeShift its technological edge.
Home The Allen Pavilion Houston, TX Architect: HOK, TX (Hellmuth Obata Kassabaum) Builder: GT Leach Product: ShapeShell™-RT Area: 4,730 m² Application: Facade, Roof & Soffit Responsibility: Design, Engineer & Manufacture of Feature Elements Details Officially opening in the first quarter of 2021, The Allen Lifestyle Pavilion, located in the heart of Houston, Texas, is a 4-storey retail and amenity centre forming part of the larger Allen mixed-use development. Spanning six acres alongside Buffalo Bayou Park, the pavilion integrates luxury retail, first-class dining, and an exclusive fitness facility, providing a vibrant lifestyle destination for residents and visitors alike. A rooftop bar and restaurant offer panoramic views of the adjacent parklands, creating a seamless connection between the natural environment and cutting-edge architectural design. Working closely with DC Partners and the global architecture and planning firm HOK, ShapeShift Technologies delivered customised ShapeShell™ RT facade rainscreen for the pavilion’s distinctive curved façade. These panels, designed to resemble a steel finish, were a critical solution to achieve the seamless, sleek aesthetic envisioned for the project. ShapeShell™ RT panels provided a lightweight yet robust alternative to traditional materials, meeting the structural and design requirements without compromising durability. An innovative cladding system, never used before in the United States, lends the retail pavilion and tower podium a cohesive, modern expression. In placing the tower on a podium, the design reduces the verticality of the building at street level, helping integrate it with nearby buildings and preserve the scale of the neighborhood. All parking is strategically located either below grade or within the podium, enhancing the overall pedestrian experience within the development.
Pakenham Station Melbourne, VIC Project Details Location: Railway Ave & Henry Rd, Pakenham VIC 3810, Australia Scope: Complex, curved geometry of the roof canopy, providing both aesthetic and sustainability benefits. Architect: Genton Completion Year: 2024 Developer: Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) Installing Contractor: FacadeX Main Construction Partners: John Holland, KBR, and Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) – Key contributors under the North Western Program Alliance ShapeShift Product: ShapeShell™-RT canopy panels Advanced Digital Fabrication at Pakenham Station Redevelopment Located in Melbourne’s South-East, the new Pakenham Train Station is a premium commuter and regional railway station on the Pakenham line, designed to support the busy pedestrian and shopping precinct and create safer, more direct links between public transport, additional parking and the town centre. Pakenham Station Design Inten The design was inspired by the regional landscape, particularly Pakenham’s rolling hills and bronze sunsets, with the roof canopy’s profile mirroring the undulating terrain and warm hues of the region. The station incorporates 14 skylights within the roof canopy, allowing natural light to permeate the interior, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and enhancing the ambiance. The station was conceived to act as both a functional transport hub and a modern architectural landmark, improving community access and functionality with integrated public spaces, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting systems that support the station’s sustainability goals. Officially opening in June 2024, the spacious, light-filled station features a new courtyard with lush green landscaping and seating areas, adding a touch of nature to the structural design. Other additions include a bus interchange, 450 car spaces, secure bike parking, walking and cycling paths, and two dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones—making journeys more reliable and efficient for thousands of travellers every weekday. Project Collaboration The project involved collaboration between key companies, including John Holland, KBR, and Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM), as part of the North Western Program Alliance. This alliance was tasked with removing three level crossings and constructing the new Pakenham and East Pakenham stations, significantly enhancing the rail corridor. This project, a collaboration between architectural firm Genton and ShapeShift Technologies, introduced advanced digital fabrication techniques, notably the use of ShapeShell™ RT, to deliver a sustainable and accurate construction. The Advancement and Sustainability Behind The Project ShapeShift’s involvement was pivotal in the design and construction of Pakenham Station’s distinctive roof canopy. Utilising ShapeShell™ RT, a fibre-composite material typically employed in aerospace and nautical industries, the team achieved a roof profile inspired by Pakenham’s rolling hills and bronze sunsets. This material choice allowed for a reduction in steel usage and energy consumption during manufacturing and transportation. The integration of skylights within the roof canopy not only elevated the station’s aesthetic appeal but also contributed to sustainability by minimising the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours. The canopy was also created using 3D printing technology, marking it as one of the first of its kind in Australia. This innovative process that created the unique roof profile inspired by Pakenham’s rolling hills and bronze sunsets, integrating advanced manufacturing processes with architectural vision. The team employed large-format CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machines to cut master patterns directly from 3D digital files, ensuring precision and efficiency. These CNC machines are among the largest in the southern hemisphere, underscoring the project’s scale and ambition. The use of 3D printing technology also contributed to sustainability by reducing raw material use and minimising waste. The project also features additional green initiatives, such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, which align with broader sustainability goals and demonstrate a commitment to responsible resource use, further enhancing the project’s overall environmental footprint. The process minimised raw material usage and reduced the need for multiple prototypes, aligning with the project’s environmental objectives. Additionally, the precision of digital fabrication facilitated unitisation, simplifying installation and enhancing overall efficiency. Contribution A key feature of the modern-designed station and our contribution to the project is the iconic roof canopy, which was inspired by the signature bronzed sunsets of Australia and the rolling hills landscape of Pakenham with its curved structure. Utilising our ShapeShell™-RT (the next generation of FRP) material, we provided a low maintenance, low environmental impact solution, whilst achieving the desired custom colour and finish – all critical elements to the overall success of the project. Outcome & Legacy The Pakenham Station redevelopment exemplifies the successful integration of advanced digital fabrication techniques in public infrastructure projects. ShapeShift Technologies’ application of ShapeShell™ RT and digital manufacturing processes, in collaboration with Genton, delivered a sustainable, efficient, and architecturally distinctive station that serves as a model for future infrastructure projects. Discover More ShapeShift provides innovative, sustainable, and high-quality canopy and roofing solutions for modern architectural projects. If you’re ready to bring your vision to life with ShapeShell’s advanced FRP materials, contact us today! Contact Us Discuss Your Needs
Home Sydney Opera House Sydney, NSW Architect: ARM Architecture Builder: Waagner Biro Product: ShapeShell™-RT Area: 18 Acoustic Reflectors Application: Special Building Feature Responsibility: Design, Engineer & Manufacture of Feature Elements Details The Sydney Opera House Concert Hall underwent a significant renovation in 2022, aimed at enhancing its acoustics, accessibility, and stage functionality while preserving its iconic status. The project included the replacement of outdated acoustic features with 18 state-of-the-art sound reflectors, designed to optimise sound quality for a variety of performances. This unique structure functions as an acoustic reflector. Made from composite fiberglass, the petals can be positioned to reflect sounds to pre-determined areas of the venue as well as adapt to different types of performance. Designed by ARM Architecture in conjunction with highly experienced German acousticians Müller BBM. The large audience reflectors weigh approx. 160kgs while the smaller orchestra petals weigh approx. 80kgs. This acoustic reflectors above the stage have replaced the old clear acrylic ‘donuts’. These ‘acoustic petals’ are set in a range of different positions, depending on the music being played. They have been finished in a semi-gloss magenta – matching the colour of the Concert Hall seats chosen by architect Peter Hall. ShapeShift Technologies played a pivotal role in this upgrade by supplying customised ShapeShell™ RT sound deflectors, engineered to deflect and diffuse sound waves for balanced acoustics. These advanced fibre-reinforced panels, often referred to as surfboard-shaped due to their unique design, were meticulously crafted to integrate seamlessly with the architectural aesthetic of the hall. The installation of these deflectors not only enhanced the auditory experience but also maintained the structural and visual harmony of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed building.
Home Wesley Place Melbourne, VIC Architect: Cox Architects Builder: Lendlease Product: ShapeShell™-RT Area: Application: Pillar Lobby Responsibility: Design, Engineer & Manufacture of Feature Elements –
Home NV Apartments Perth, WA Architect: Scanlan Architects Builder: Probuild Product: ShapeShell™-RT Area: 1,200 m² Application: Facade Feature Responsibility: Design, Engineer & Manufacture of Feature Elements –
Home Little Saigon Welcome Arch Melbourne, VIC Architect: McBride Charles Ryan Builder: MouldCAM Product: ShapeShell™-RT Area: – Application: Public Artwork Responsibility: Design, Engineer & Manufacture of Feature Elements Details The Little Saigon Welcome Arch was developed by MCR as an entranceway to a culturally Vietnamese district in Melbourne. The structure consists of a pair of Vietnamese Lac Bird sculptures. The birds are approximately 9m high and cantilever over the road 5m each. The birds were made of a glass-carbon hybrid composite material, fixed into precast plinths. ShapeShift were involved in the design, engineering, documentation, certification and installation of the structure. This project was initially specified as a clad steel structure by Bollinger + Grohmann. ShapeShift tech. presented an elegant solution using ShapeShell-RT for the structure that added significant economic and quality benefits to the structure and hence we were awarded the contract. ShapeShift Technologies completed a detailed structural engineering report with supplementary documentation to certify the complex structure. The installation was also completed with ShapeShift’s scope. Given the complexity of the surface finish, the structure was painted on-site and all joints were faired to provide a seamless finish to the sculpture.
Home RMIT Penrose Building Melbourne, VIC Architect: ARM (Ashton Raggatt McDougall) Builder: ISIS Product: ShapeShell™-RT Area: – Application: Building Facade Responsibility: Design, Engineer & Manufacture of Feature Elements Details The Penrose Façade on top of RMIT University is often referred to as “The Green Brain” inspiring the students below to think outside of the norm. With no repetition of geometry anywhere in the façade this is ShapeShell “Freeform” at its best. Computer cut accuracy allowed complete unitisation of the façade off-site making installation quick and simple.
