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Student Correspondent: SpecifyAWS Review

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Hello again, anonymous yet valued readers of my monthly contributions… I have no doubt that you are, sitting with eager anticipation, with perhaps a hot beverage in hand and probably without a clue as to what exciting things I will be talking about this month.

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Well, here’s a taste of what’s to come; www.specifyaws.com.au… Actually that taste is basically the entirety of the meal you will be consuming in this sitting. But my goodness, is ‘meal’ the correct metaphor for this resource – and boy is it a good one.

For starters (yes this is a metaphorical meal and you need to keep up), if you’re wondering what SpecifyAWS is… Allow me to break it down for you; it’s a huge bank of information about the products available at AWS, presented in such a sleek, crisp and inviting way. And when I say huge bank of information, I’m not exaggerating, I absolutely mean it. The amount of visual and written information available is incredible (from my experience anyway).

So, there’s three ranges of products presented here; a residential range (Vantage Residential), a commercial range (Elevate Commercial) and a range of hardware. All of these ranges, have a respective set of series of products within the range. Now, this is different to simply viewing a range online of products available, no, this is an entirely different kettle of fish.

The resources available to you on SpecifyAWS go into the sort of detail you don’t come across freely on the internet these days. As a student the thing I appreciate most is that there really is no limit to the level of detail that’s made available. If you see a product in a picture, a drawing of its detail is to follow, the drawing as beautiful (I mean it, it’s a delight to look at) and easy to understand as it is, is accompanied with information as to how it works. Allow me to flesh out why that’s important. Have you ever been in the middle of drawing a detail, or wondering how a window works, or what it looks like in section and realised that actually you have no idea. Your next step is to simply ‘have a quick google’ and be on your merry way. Then, three hours later, after typing ‘glazed aluminium window detail’ into google a thousand different ways, you find yourself on a spanish window forum, wading through pages and pages of false (spanish) information, with an occasional glimpse of a small graphic, alluding to a window detail, only its’ made up of 12 pixels and has a lovely big watermark covering it and preventing you from understanding the detail at all. WE HAVE ALL BEEN THERE! Well, If you haven’t I am very prepared to allow my experience to deliver an important message; it’s awful and why bother when you can just go to SpecifyAWS and experience zero of that frustration I just explained.

Clicking on icons, which lead to details and the real, actual cad file of that window detail (I know right, this is ground breaking and astonishing) is nothing short of a completely satisfying experience. This is an amazing resource for students. Students who have an acute understanding of how little detailing is available online, this is the place for you – run wild. Get all of the information you need without restraints. I might just need to re-iterate; there is a CAD file… If that is not amazing to you, then you really have not spent enough time trying to look at, understand and draw window details. Even if you’re not looking at installing the product, this website is such a simple and easy way to learn about the way window systems work. It’s all set out really intuitively too, so it makes navigation really straightforward and to be honest, completely enjoyable. It’s all there people, spelled out, referenced and specified and you need only click it, look at it, read it and say with some amazement ‘ahhh, that’s a window’.

I’m sure you might be tempted to explore the little world I have just talked about, it’s actually great and you can trust my opinion because lets face it, students aren’t really into things that aren’t great, easy or somehow beneficial in decreasing the amount of work they have to do by themselves.

Until next time!

Your faithful S.C (just shortened my student correspondent title to the initials because, well it’s time)

Rebekah.

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AWS Sponsors Building Tours at Glenn Murcutt Foundation Australia Symposium

Architectural Window Systems (AWS) is proud to sponsor the Murcutt Building Tours, a centrepiece of the inaugural Glenn Murcutt Architecture Foundation Symposium, to be held in Sydney from 11 – 13 September 2025.

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The Symposium, presented by the Murcutt Foundation, celebrates more than five decades of architectural practice by Glenn Murcutt AO, Australia’s most celebrated living architect. The program offers three days of tours, talks and events for architects, students and design professionals, culminating in a rare opportunity to engage directly with some of Murcutt’s most acclaimed works.

As part of its ongoing support for architectural excellence and sustainable, place-based design, AWS is sponsoring the Murcutt Building Tours on Thursday, 11 September, providing a rare, guided experience led by Murcutt himself through two iconic residential projects:

  • Nicholas House
  • Simpson Lee House

“I am so pleased that so many have taken the chance to see these two projects that were designed in such close collaboration with the clients at the time, and which have been so well loved and cared for over the many decades since. It is such a joy to share this work,” Glenn Murcutt AO.

“Glenn Murcutt’s works embody a profound sensitivity to landscape, climate and material — and they are best understood by being experienced firsthand,” said Angela Bevitt-Parr, National Marketing Manager at AWS. “AWS is proud to support this extraordinary opportunity for architects to deepen their understanding of Murcutt’s work and philosophy through direct engagement with these exceptional places.”

Beyond the tours, the Symposium will feature keynote addresses from Glenn Murcutt AO and Francis Kéré (fellow Pritzker Prize Laureate), the inaugural awarding of the Murcutt Pin, and a full day of talks exploring the themes that have informed Murcutt’s unique model of practice.

“Francis Kéré is one of the great humans, and a gifted architect who really shows architecture can make a difference in people’s lives. I have a huge amount of respect and time and a wonderful friendship with this man because of his integrity. I am so pleased that Sydney will get to meet him this year,” Glenn Murcutt AO.

For full event details and to register, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/murcutt-symposium

About the Glenn Murcutt Architecture Foundation: The Glenn Murcutt Architecture Foundation promotes the work and legacy of Glenn Murcutt AO through education, advocacy and public programs that advance environmentally responsible architecture and foster dialogue around design excellence and connection to place. For more information visit https://www.murcuttfoundation.org/

Image credit:

Simpson Lee house: Anthony Browell.

 

Designing Value – AWS celebrates 30 years

In late 1994, two dedicated fenestration professionals, Gavan Pead and David McCleary, took a pivotal tour of Architectural Profiles Ltd (APL) in Cambridge, New Zealand. Inspired by APL’s customer-focused business model, they envisioned bringing a similar approach to challenge the Australian market’s basic, outdated aluminium windows and doors that dominated at that time.

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This vision led to the founding of Architectural Window Systems (AWS) in January 1995, with Pead as the first General Manager and McCleary as Head of Design. AWS launched with the release of the 502 sliding window and 541 sliding door – affordable, single-glazed products that immediately stirred the market. “In those days, profiles were hand-drawn, and every detail required precise verification,” McCleary recalls. Their commitment to quality was matched by strong supplier support, relationships that remain solid today.

To bring this customer-centric model to life, AWS built a robust network of independent fabricators across Australia, now exceeding 200, with unparalleled reach and service capabilities. Steve Butcher of Great Lakes Glass, an early adopter, recalls that “their passion was infectious, and if they were starting something new, I wanted to be part of it.”

AWS quickly became a trusted name in high-performance aluminium windows, with products designed to meet the needs of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. With the launch of ThermalHEART™ in 2007, followed by ThermalHEART™ commercial in 2012, AWS introduced its first thermally broken products, raising the bar for energy efficiency. In 2003, David’s son, Mark McCleary, joined AWS, continuing the family’s involvement in the company. In 2021, Mark took over the leadership of research and design, guiding the development of innovative window and door solutions. That same year, AWS introduced ComfortEDGE™, a significant step forward in thermal efficiency. With additional ComfortEDGE™ products set for release in 2025, AWS continues to strengthen its commitment to energy-efficient solutions for the Australian market.

Reflecting on the success of the last 30 years, AWS General Manager Greg Taylor notes that “it’s our model that differentiates us. A supplier that is not only an extrusion supplier, but a reliable, supportive, engaged business partner that understands the need for continuous improvement”.

In 2025, AWS will continue to focus on improvement, introducing a class-leading digital environment for specifiers, fabricators, and staff, along with an automated workflow connectivity solution exclusively for AWS fabricators.

For more information, contact marketing@awsaustralia.com.au

Windows is toolkit

The importance of windows in the sustainable design toolkit

From roof colour to insulation, from appliances to landscaping, all the material selections made in a project form a part of the build’s overall sustainability.

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Architects and Building Designers are tasked with the most important objectives; managing client expectations, design intent, – and of course budget all within site parameters and building compliance.

When it comes to achieving or exceeding a 7-star energy rating as part of the National Construction Code, few of these choices offer as much scope for variation and flexibility as the selection and application of window and door systems as a major component of the thermal envelope of the building.

Well specified windows and doors can be the difference between a thermally efficient design which comes in on budget versus an over engineered, high performing build that can confuse the most experienced specifier and possibly exceed budget – perhaps unnecessarily.

Thermally broken windows have long held the title of one of the most energy efficient solutions by offering the broadest application for use. By insulating the pathway for thermal transmission through the window frame, it’s a clever way to make the most from the durability of aluminium while reducing its conductivity – but extra components inevitably mean more assembly and a comparatively higher price tag.

So, is there a cost-efficient way to maximise energy gains, while maintaining strength and design flexibility without turning to thermally broken windows?

That’s a question both asked and answered by leading supplier of aluminium windows and doors, AWS (Architectural Window Systems). This fundamental question was asked over 10 years ago and it led to the development of a more cost effective, energy efficient solution which also offers a contemporary design aesthetic in the current market.

Cue ComfortEDGE™

ComfortEDGE is an elegant, double-glazed solution for residential applications that rivals the energy efficiency of thermally broken products. Its embedded frames provide a sleek design comprising fewer components than thermally broken counterparts, making it a cost-effective, wholly Australian made option for Australian projects. ComfortEDGE recognises that clever design doesn’t have to be complicated, and skilfully minimises the amount of exposed frame by embedding into the timber reveal, insulating against the environment to improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort.

ComfortEDGE truly is the perfect meeting point of form and functionality. It’s stylish and high performing, with U Values as low as 1.9 – placing you in the best position to meet 7-star energy provisions while keeping your budgeton track.

Back to weighing up your options… How will you know if ComfortEDGE is right for your project?

AWS recommends consulting your specification expert early in the design process, taking a holistic approach to build sustainably and to meet energy compliance on budget. For designers looking to harness the vast possibilities afforded by Australian designed and manufactured architectural windows, give your AWS specifier team member a call and reap the rewards. (AWS 1300 026 189)

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