Techbuilt - FutureWall™ [ECG Premium]
Overview:
An innovative and flexible demountable, reusable and recyclable partitioning fitout and storage system. Suitable for commercial and office applications.
Product Description:
FutureWall™ is a flexible building platform designed for use in interior commercial and office settings. Futurewall™ encompasses a variety of functions such as wall cladding, full height partitioning, low height screens, glazing, doors and allows integration with furniture and storage components.
FutureWall™ is framed with aluminium (approx. 50% recycled content), and uses a melamine faced E0 particleboard panel (approx. 70% recycled content). Shelving, joinery and function wall elements such as pin boards and whiteboards can be easily integrated into the system.
FutureWall™ can also incorporate different insulation types, to suit specific acoustic requirements. Techbuilt state the standard insulation and panel configuration results in an acoustic value of Rw 37 or higher.
The system is easily demountable and components are reusable and recyclable. Techbuilt offer a product take-back service at the end of tenancy or usable life of the product, which makes reuse and recycling far more likely, significantly reducing material use and overall embodied energy.
Click here for Supplier contact details or make an enquiry directly to the supplier using the Product Enquiry Form at the bottom of the page.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
|
Options |
|
|
Colours |
Colours and Finishes as nominated by Client or Designer. |
|
Warranty |
Extended warranty options upto 15 years, |
|
Expected Life |
Wall panel life approximately 30 years. Any damaged panels can be unclipped and replaced. The aluminium framing is expected to last over 30 years. |
|
Indicative Costs |
Basic wall configuration from $135 per m², depending on wall finishes, layout, and site location requirements, etc. Please contact your Techbuilt representative for specific project costings. |
|
Purchase Options |
Supply & Install. Standard delivery time of 4 to 6 weeks. |
|
Constituents |
Standard 2700mm high wall with vertical butt-jointed panels. One lineal metre of double-sided wall is approx 64kg, made up (by mass) of
|
|
Technical Specifications |
Click here to view technical specifications |
|
National & International Standards |
JIS A5908 JANS 22 AS 1859 |
|
Country of Origin |
Manufactured in Australia |
|
Projects |
Techbuilt has successfully completed projects in Victoria, NSW, South Australia, the ACT & Western Australia. |
|
Preparation |
FutureWall™ has a similar construction process to a conventional plasterboard partition i.e. framing & lining, however, is faster and cleaner through the use of pre-finished board and clip-in panel fixing. |
ECOSPECIFIER LIFE-CYCLE ASSESSMENT
INTEGRATED DESIGN AND POLICY ISSUES
FutureWall™ is a suite of interior fit-out solutions utilizing pre-fabricated aluminium framing, pre-finished wall panels, glazing systems and sliding doors together with integrated storage and furniture.
FutureWall™ can be recycled and reused and has the ability to be assembled and disassembled, making the relocation and replacement of parts an easy operation. It also provides design freedom and flexibility. This unique integrated system uses a patented furniture stud connector that interlocks into the stud, allowing for attachment of custom made joinery, benches and system furniture. This allows for an integrated office solution design, and in comparison to conventional fit out techniques, minimises raw material usage.
Unlike most modular screen based systems, attachment to the FutureWall™ system is not restricted to a pre-determined height or incremental height, but instead, adjustment is unlimited along the height of the wall.
Unlike plasterboard alternatives, FutureWall™ can be reconfigured, remodeled, dismantled and removed from site, and installed at another location. The impact resistant melamine faced particleboard panels are very durable and can be expected to last up to 30 years. Thus the system can endure multiple leases and can be successfully reused or recycled throughout the economic life of a typical commercial building.
The easy demountability allows for the adaptability of spaces in a commercial context.
HUMAN HEALTH
Health
A small amount of plasticised PVC is used to attach the wall panels to the aluminium framing. The quantities involved in this system are not significant in a general use context; however, PVC is a contentious material nevertheless.
See Glossary for associated health impacts.
Comfort
Not applicable
Indoor Environment Quality
The product contributes to healthy Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) The particleboard wood panel used in this wall system is E0 rated and has low formaldehyde content (0.3mg/L), which meet Australian and Japanese Industry standard (AS1859.12004 & JIS-1460 F4). Ultra low emission Super EO rated board can also be supplied upon request.
The FutureWall™ system also eliminates the need for glues and adhesives and paints, which all have the potent to be a source of high VOC emissions.
The reduction in of VOC emissions means that FutureWall™ qualifies for Green Star™ credits. If however, different finishes are requested by a client, VOC’s may vary depending on the chosen materials, thus Green Star™ credits might not be available.
Electromagnetic Radiation
Not applicable
Safety
Not applicable
Accessibility
Not applicable
ECOLOGICAL QUALITY
Terrestrial
Emissions - Responsibly grown and managed forests sequester more CO2 than they emit during their growing phase. Wood products are carbon sinks, whereas most other products produce net carbon emissions such as aluminium, plastic and steel, thereby reducing the toxic and pollutant impacts of wood on the terrestrial environment.
FutureWall™ contains aluminium (up to 10.45%). The production of alumina from bauxite ores uses a chemical treatment, known as the Bayer Process (see Glossary). The alkaline mist associated with this process may have adverse land and vegetation impacts. However 50% of aluminium used is recycled content and the frame itself is fully recyclable at end of life, offsetting some of these emissions.
Physical – Impacts to the terrestrial environment from forestry include loss of topsoil and reduced soil productivity due to nutrient loss, loss and fragmentation of vegetation and habitat for ecological communities. Recycled content reduces the amount of new logs required and therefore the area of land cleared.
PVC and polyester are originally derived from petroleum based polymers. Petrochemical extraction can cause localised terrestrial disturbance around oil fields, via mining infrastructure and subsidence. However product contains minimal (1.7%) amounts of these materials and significant recycled content (50%) of polyester significantly minimising these impacts.
Extraction of bauxite results in the removal and stockpiling of topsoil, sub-soil and sand, and from removing overburden and inter-burden, resulting in modified soil/sand profiles, topography and drainage.
Aquatic
Emissions – Aquatic pollution occurs from nutrient losses associated with deforestation. The use of 1080 poison baiting, associated with some timber schemes, has associated Risk Phrases stating that it is very toxic to aquatic organisms. The use of FSC-certified wood, which prohibits toxic baiting, avoids this aquatic impact.
The extraction of bauxite and production of aluminium has localised emissions to aquatic environments around production facilities.
Physical – Petrochemical extraction can cause localised aquatic disturbance around oil fields via mining infrastructure and dredging of the seabed. Petroleum extraction and distribution can also contribute to oil spills at sea. However, impacts can be minimised by product containing minimal amounts of these materials and an increased level of recycled polyester content.
Atmosphere
Greenhouse (GHG) – The greenhouse emissions from the system are not insignificant, but the long life, reusability and the adaptability of spaces this system facilitates, together with the Manufacturer Take-back options, provides ample opportunity for the recovery of the GHG investment.
Greenhouse intensity – FutureWall™ has a green house gas intensity of 28.7 kgCO2/lineal metre*.
*Intensity figures used for constituents are a combination of specific and proxy data sourced from Bath University, United Kingdom. Figure provided will be slightly less due to recycled content of constituents.
Transport intensity – FutureWall™ is manufactured in Australia. Local manufacture minimises GHG emissions associated with international transport.
Table below provides land transportation greenhouse intensity figures to help calculate the greenhouse gas intensity of land transportation from shipping port.
|
Light commercial vehicle |
Rigid Truck |
Articulated Truck |
|
0.001451 kgCO2e / kg.km |
0.000195 kgCO2e / kg.km |
0.000169 kgCO2e / kg.km |
Transport intensity figures sourced from Australian National Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990, 1995 and 1999 and WWF International, Inland Navigations and Emissions, 2005.
Operational efficiency – Product has some thermal properties helping to minimise building heating and cooling requirements.
Re-use Efficiency – FutureWall™ is designed to be reused.
Toxics and Pollutants – Although PVC is issued in very small quantities,PVC is highly toxic in small quantities if burnt and is known to generate Hydrochloric acid (HCI) and dioxin emissions. Emissions from ethylene production consist primarily of ethylene and propylene. The process of alumina refinement generates plant emissions, including coal dust, fugitive lime dust, alumina dust and aerosol generated from plant process liquor including fluorine/fluoride emissions that are known toxins.
Ozone Depletion – Insulation used in wall system contains no ozone depleting potential (ODP) materials (provided standard Tontine Fibres insulation is used).
Urban Heat Island Effects – Not applicable
Noise – Standard product (using Tontine’s TSB4 insulation) results in acoustic value of Rw 37 or higher.
The FutureWall™ system can achieve acoustic results exceeding Rw 50 with modified construction techniques and products (unverified manufacturer claim- please contact Techbuilt directly for further details).
Biodiversity
Timber and wood products can be among the most environmentally destructive from a biodiversity and ecological quality point of view, due to some forestry practices that lead to the loss and fragmentation of vegetation and habitat for ecological communities. However, the overall biodiversity impacts from this product will be reduced as a result of reduced treefelling due to the post industrial and post consumer recycled content (70%) of the timber used in the product.
Particle board wood panel timber used in this wall system is sourced from feedstock containing 70% recycled content , however timber is not chain of custody (CoC) certified and hence does not meet Green Star Sustainable Timber credit requirements. See also Issues of Concern below.
Reuse potential and recycled content minimise the following. Bauxite mining leads to modified soil profiles, topography and drainage which impacts natural vegetation and biodiversity.
RESOURCE DEPLETION
Resource Efficiency
FutureWall™ contains aluminium (up to 10.45%) with approx 50% recycled content. Aluminium is the third most abundant metal on Earth and the most abundant in the Earth’s crust. The primary mineral source for aluminium is bauxite ore, a non-renewable mineral resource with an estimated supply of 180 years based on current Reserve Life Index (RLI) (Source: Meyer, 2004, Availability of bauxite reserves, Journal of Natural Resources Research, p. 161). However as stated above, use of virgin material is limited and offset.
Particleboard Wood flake is sourced from softwood plantation timbers with a recycled content of approximately 70%, containing both post industrial content (62%) and post consumer content (9%).
Insulation (generally sourced from Tontine) used has approximately 50% post consumer, recycled PET content.
Embodied Fossil Fuel Energy
Commercial office fit out is responsible for a major part of the embodied energy of office buildings, caused largely by the relatively short life-spans of tenancies in commercial buildings. While aluminium is a relatively high embodied energy material, it is fully recyclable and the re-usability of the frame means that the embodied energy of the initial frame can be diminished over the multiple re-uses of the framing. Moreover, the aluminium used by Techbuilt already contains a recycled content of approximately 50%.
FutureWall™ has an embodied energy of 549MJ/m² or 1481MJ/Lineal metre*.
One lineal metre of a standard 2700mm high wall with vertical butt-jointed panels is approx 64kg.
The above EE figures mean that the flexible and demountable Techbuilt-FutureWall™ system would only need to be reused once, before having a reduced embodied energy benefit.
*Intensity figures used for constituents are a combination of specific and proxy data sourced from Bath University, United Kingdom. Figure could be fractionally less, due to the recycled content of the particleboard.
Transport Intensity – Product is manufactured in Australia. Local manufacture minimises energy associated with international transport.
Embodied Water
Information not available
Durability
Highly durable system, with particleboard and aluminium components.
Reusability
the product is easily assembled and disassembled for relocation or refit, onsite or elsewhere thus has a high degree of re-use potential..
Repairability
The modular, demountable nature of Futurewall™ means any damaged component can be easily removed and replaced, without having to discard any other usable parts.
Design for Dematerialisation
Can significantly reduce amount of materials used for office fitout purposes. The system not only allows integration of storage, shelving, joinery and function wall elements such as pin boards and whiteboards into the total FutureWall™ solution, but the adaptability benefits to building reuse are significant as potentially are the dematerialization benefits of reduced resource waste due to fitout ‘churn’.
Design for Disassembly
Futurewall™ System components have been developed to offer easy and efficient disassembly and facilitate maximum re-use with material used predicated on providing a positive salvage value at the end of its use.
Recyclability
Aluminium (frame & fixings) is 100% recyclable. Repeat recycling of this material does not reduce its quality. Should also progress through multiple re-use cycles before necessity of base metal recycling arises.
Maintenance
Futurewall™ has similar maintenance requirements to that of any melamine surface.
Product Takeback Scheme
Techbuilt offers a product take-back service, where they will remove and re-use Futurewall™ (under separate commercial arrangement with customer) making the re-use of the system far more likely. Multiple life uses of this system will significantly reduce its overall embodied energy.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Yes a product takeback scheme is offered.
CORPORATE AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Audits and Environmental Reporting
No
Convictions
Information not available.
Environmental Policy
Yes
Social Enhancement Programs
No.
Technology Transfer Programs
No.
Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
Techbuilt incorporate a waste minimisation and recycling Environmental Management System. All materials that can be re-used will be re-used and all materials that can realistically be recycled will be recycled.
ECOSPECIFIER ISSUES OF CONCERN / RED LIGHTS
Issue of Concern
FutureWall™ claims to use certified feedstock, but does not have CoC certification. Various timber certification schemes are currently in operation in regards to the sustainable and responsible management of forests as sources of wood. According to ecospecifier, an analysis of the various timber certification schemes reveals that the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the most rigorous and robust certification, due to the stringent criteria followed, (eg. FSC is the only scheme based on a clear set of min. performance based criteria, prohibits the conversion of forests to plantations, and also prohibits the use of GMO trees and toxic baiting). See Timber Technical Guide for further information.
Red light comment
Minor OH&S Issue: Wood dust is classified as carcinogenic (group 1) to humans by the IARC. As the product is used in solid form it is not considered to be of risk in use. This red light comment relates to OH&S, if machining, sawing, drilling, routing, laser cutting or sanding is to be done of the particle board wood panel before it becomes part of the wall system there are effective precautions that can be taken to minimise dust level exposure resulting from such activities, such as personal protective equipment (PPE).
ECOSPECIFIER GREENRATE GREEN BUILDING SCHEME PRE-ASSESSMENT
National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) Compatibility
Product does not assist in the achievement of credit points under this rating tool.
BASIX Building Sustainability Compatibility
Product does not assist in the achievement of credit points under this rating tool.
Green Star™ Office Interiors Version 1.1 Compatibility (see disclaimer below)
MANAGEMENT
Man-6: Waste Management During Tenancy Fitout
INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY
IEQ-10 Note 1: Internal Noise Levels
IEQ-11 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Adhesives and Sealants
IEQ-11 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Paints
IEQ-12: Formaldehyde Minimisation
MATERIALS
Mat-3: Walls and Partitions (also see material calculator below)
Green Star™ Mat-3 Walls and Partitions Calculator for 100% of Walls and Partitions in Fitout *
|
Length of Wall or Partition |
Eco Preferred Content |
Durability |
EMS? |
EMS |
Product Stewardship |
Modular |
Designed for Disassembly |
Points Available |
|
1 |
≥20% |
≥10yrs |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
≥90% |
3 |
*Modified by ecospecifier for presentation purposes. Source – Green Star Office Interiors v1.1 Rating Tool
EMISSIONS
Emi-2: Insulation Ozone Depleting Potential [1]
Green Star™ Office Design Version 2 Compatibility (see disclaimer below)
INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY
IEQ-12 Note 1: Internal Noise Levels
IEQ-13 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Adhesives and Sealants
IEQ-13 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Paints
IEQ-14: Formaldehyde Minimisation
EMISSIONS
Green Star™ Office Design Version 3 Compatibility (see disclaimer below)
INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY
IEQ-12 Note 1: Internal Noise Levels
IEQ-13 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Adhesives and Sealants
IEQ-13 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Paints
IEQ-14: Formaldehyde Minimisation
MATERIALS
MAT-3 Note 1: Reused Materials
EMISSIONS
[1]Note: this credit is only applicable if the standard Tontine Fibres Insulation is used which contains no ODP in composition or in manufacture.
Green Star™ Retail Centre Version 1 2008 Compatibility (see disclaimer below)
INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY
IEQ-7 Note 1: Internal Noise Levels
IEQ-8 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Adhesives and Sealants
IEQ-8 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Paints
IEQ-9: Formaldehyde Minimisation
MATERIALS
MAT-3: Recycled Content and Re-used Products and Materials
Mat-8 Note 1: Designed for Disassembly
EMISSIONS
[1]Note: this credit is only applicable if the standard Tontine Fibers Insulation is used which contains no ODP in composition or in manufacture.
Green Star™ Education Version 1 2008 Compatibility (see disclaimer below)
INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY
IEQ-7 Note 1: Internal Noise Levels
IEQ-8 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Adhesives and Sealants
IEQ-8 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Paints
IEQ-9: Formaldehyde Minimisation
MATERIALS
Mat-3: Recycled Content and Re-used Products and Materials
Mat-8 Note 1: Designed for Disassembly
EMISSIONS
[1]Note: this credit is only applicable if the standard Tontine Fibers Insulation is used which contains no ODP in composition or in manufacture.
Green Star™ Industrial Compatibility (see disclaimer below)
INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY
IEQ-7 Note 1: Internal Noise Levels
IEQ-8 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Adhesives and Sealants
IEQ-8 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Paints
IEQ-9: Formaldehyde Minimisation
MATERIALS
Mat-3: Recycled Content and Re-used Products and Materials
EMISSIONS
[1]Note: this credit is only applicable if the standard Tontine Fibers Insulation is used which contains no ODP in composition or in manufacture.
Green Star™ Multi Unit Residential Version 1 2009 Compatibility (see disclaimer below)
INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY
IEQ-7 Note 1: Internal Noise Levels
IEQ-8 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Adhesives and Sealants
IEQ-8 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Paints
IEQ-9: Formaldehyde Minimisation
MATERIALS
Mat-3: Recycled Content and Re-used Products and Materials
Mat-8 Note 1: Designed for Disassembly
EMISSIONS
[1]Note: this credit is only applicable if the standard Tontine Fibers Insulation is used which contains no ODP in composition or in manufacture.
Green Star™ Healthcare Version 1 2009 Compatibility (see disclaimer below)
INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY
IEQ-7 Note 1: Internal Noise Levels
IEQ-8 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Adhesives and Sealants
IEQ-8 Note 1: Volatile Organic Compounds – Paints
IEQ-9: Formaldehyde Minimisation
MATERIALS
Mat-3: Recycled Content and Re-used Products and Materials
Mat-8 Note 1: Designed for Disassembly
Mat-14 Note 1: Ceilings, Walls and Partitions
EMISSIONS
[1]Note: this credit is only applicable if the standard Tontine Fibers Insulation is used which contains no ODP in composition or in manufacture.
ASSESSMENT COMPARISON
Standard walls/partitioning and storage systems.
KEYWORDS / ALTERNATIVES
Wall systems, FCS, fitout, modularity, recycled content, walls and partitions, design for dissasembly, wall system, cladding and screens
RELATED TOPICS
Adhesives & Sealants
RELATED KNOWLEDGE BASE ARTICLES
Ecospecifier Eco Priority Guide: Walls
Ecospecifier Eco Priority Guide: Timber and Wood Products
CSI / SPECPACK CATEGORY & NUMBER
09 70 00 Wall Finishes
NATSPEC CATEGORY AND NUMBER
0431 Cladding - combined
0434 Cladding - panels
Indicative cost:
Availability:
ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
Other information:
Information last verified on the 22/07/10
Assessment Criteria Satisfied
© ecospecifier 2010
Suppliers:Techbuilt Interiors Pty Ltd
Contact Suppliers
If you would like more information regarding this product, please fill out the form below.
