Oran Park Hotel ETFE Skylight
Project Details
Location: Oran Park, NSW
Completion Date: August 2024
Size: 160sqm
Fabric: ETFE - AGC Fluon® (250NJ & 250NJP80N04)
Client: Versatile Fit Out
The NEW Oran Park Hotel is set to open in late 2024.
MakMax Australia collaborated with Versatile Fit Out to design, supply, and install an ETFE skylight for the newly developed Oran Park Hotel.
The Oran Park Hotel ETFE Skylight features a MakMax TensoSky triple-layer ETFE cushion system, secured with extruded aluminium clamps. The installation also includes condensation gutters and bird wire to protect the ETFE cushions from environmental factors.
The Brief
Originally, a flat skylight design was proposed. However, in partnership with Versatile Fit Out and their architect, we recommended and developed a design featuring a slight 3% fall. This adjustment addressed potential safety concerns related to water ponding during unforeseen ETFE cushion deflation events. A flat system could trap water in the event of heavy rain (ponding), so adding the fall helped ensure long-term durability of the skylight and reduced the risk of any water-related issues to the areas below.
The Concept
A render showing the indoor garden bar concept (image from the Oran Park Hotel’s website).
The Materials
To maintain the desired aesthetic of a near-flat skylight while mitigating ponding risks, a three-layer TensoSky ETFE system was utilised:
- Top Layer: 250-micron clear ETFE foil with a standard light silver frit pattern (80% coverage)
- Middle Layer: 100-micron clear ETFE
- Bottom Layer: 250-micron clear ETFE
The skylight comprises three individual cushions, each measuring 3.6m x 15m, spanning a total area of 160 square metres. The cushions are kept inflated with an Eluft 150 air pump located in a nearby plant room.
The Result
The new Oran Park Hotel ETFE Skylight allows natural light to flood the hotel’s inner atrium, designed as an indoor garden bar with a live tree at its centre. The air-filled ETFE cushions provide weather protection and thermal insulation while allowing ample sunlight to nourish the indoor greenery, enhancing the vibrant atmosphere of the hotel’s garden bar.
