Draftsmen and Architects

It’s relatively small. The fundamentals of space planning and aesthetics are unchanged – you design as you normally would. The differences come in detailing. For example, you’ll detail thicker wall sections (to account for panel thickness) and consider routing for services. Roofs might have a slightly different buildup if using panels vs. trusses. But we guide you through all this. After one project, most architects feel very comfortable with the system. We provide typical detail drawings (e.g., for corners, roof-wall junctions, etc.) which you can incorporate into your documentation. Think of it like switching from brick veneer to reverse brick veneer – some details shift, but it’s all manageable.

Panelhome’s panels meet National Construction Code requirements for structural performance and energy efficiency, and we can advise on fire and acoustic solutions. The core of our SIP is typically an insulating foam (which can be fire-retardant treated) sandwiched between either engineered wood or fibre-cement skins, depending on the Panelok product used. For bushfire-prone areas, we achieve compliance by using appropriate external claddings and sarking (for example, a fire-resistant outer cladding, sealing of joints, etc., can enable compliance with BAL ratings). Acoustically, SIPs already perform well due to the solid sandwich construction – great for reducing outside noise or between rooms. If higher acoustic separation is needed (say between a home and an attached studio), additional layers (like acoustic plasterboard) can be added. In summary, with the right design choices, Panelhome buildings can meet fire and sound requirements just as conventional buildings do. We will work with you on those specifics as needed.

You remain the primary designer. We do not alter the design unless necessary for structural reasons, and even then, we consult you. Our role is akin to a structural engineer and supplier rolled into one. We translate your design into panel form. If a particular element isn’t feasible exactly as drawn, we’ll propose a solution and discuss it with you – similar to how you’d work with any engineer or builder. The aesthetic decisions, layout, and client-facing design elements stay firmly in your hands.

Yes, we can provide 3D models or BIM files for the panel layouts once we’ve done the engineering. If you work in software like Revit or ArchiCAD and would like to incorporate the panel components, we’re happy to share what we have. In early design, you might not need this, but once the project is confirmed, having the panel model can help with coordination (for instance, to check clearances for services or to create detailed sections). We can also work from your BIM model to ensure our fabrication aligns perfectly. Additionally, Panelok (our panel technology partner) has documentation that we can share, which might include generic BIM objects or detail drawings.

Hardly any – one of our goals is that a SIP-constructed home should be indistinguishable from a conventionally built home in appearance, unless you choose to celebrate the panels. Exterior finishes can be virtually anything: render, masonry veneer, fiber cement cladding, timber siding, metal cladding – whatever suits the design. Interior can be plasterboard, timber lining, etc., over the panels. You’re not locked into proprietary finishes. The only consideration is weight for claddings (heavy stone cladding, for instance, might need additional fixing back to structure, but that’s solvable). If you want exposed panel in some areas (like an exposed insulated roof panel underside in a cathedral ceiling), we can supply panels with a pre-finished surface (for example, a timber look or white finish) so you don’t even need to line them. In short, aesthetically you have free rein; we make the structure work behind the scenes.