Case Study

Storage King Wollongong

Constructing an attractive self-storage facility with integrated façade systems.

Storage King is one of Australia’s leading self-storage operators, servicing more than 100,000 customers. The company has become recognised for transforming fragmented self-storage facilities into modern, retail-focused spaces.

As part of the continued expansion of the Storage King portfolio, Abacus Group commissioned the development of a new purpose-built facility – one of the tallest for Storage King to date. Because it was located near a residential area, it was important that the building not only performed well but also looked good. Abacus Group partnered with Total Construction, who were responsible for the demolition, design coordination, and construction delivery of the Wollongong facility. Despite challenging weather conditions, the project team maintained strong progress, averaging approximately 35 workers on site each day. The team supplied, fabricated, and installed primary steel angles between the slab edge and soffit to support the installation of the façade systems and insulated wall panels by experienced local installers Balance Roofing

“The support from the sales team and customer service was thorough and outstanding. Kingspan’s product range also sets themselves apart from others in the market.

Using the K-Roc Karrier panel considerably sped up the installation process of the façade system. It’s very quick – 30 odd metres across the building a day – allowing us to install the perimeter parapet of the building inside a week.

Installing the Kingspan products allowed removal of the scaffold 6 to 8 weeks faster than what it would have been if a traditional built-up system was used.”

'Wayne Podlich from Balance Roofing

High-Performance Façade Systems

Achieving a high level of fire performance was crucial for this project, since the building provides storage and protection for people’s valuable possessions – not just in monetary terms but also irreplaceable items of sentimental value.

To meet the project’s performance and design requirements, the façade system incorporated a combination of K-Roc Evolution, K-Roc Karrier, and Recess Fixed Cassette systems. K-Roc Evolution was selected for an aesthetically appealing finish as well as its high fire performance –the panel features a flat profile with a secret-fix that provides a smooth visual finish.

K-Roc Karrier provided an interlocking, mineral wool core insulated panel that combines the benefits of rapid installation with design flexibility, enabling the project team to achieve the desired aesthetic while maintaining efficiency and thermal performance. The system allowed direct integration with the rainscreen façade elements used throughout the project.

The Recess Fixed Cassette rainscreen façade system was used to deliver a contemporary aesthetic while integrating the K-Roc Karrier substrate system. The cassette panels can be fixed directly through the external structural face of the substructure and are installed with colour-matched rivets, offering ease of installation and enabling efficient façade detailing across the building envelope.

Contemporary Storage Design

For the Wollongong development, BN Group developed the design to align with Storage King’s brand strategy, whilst taking a more architectural approach that fits well within the surrounding urban environment.

The five-level development features a bold, statement façade with profiled geometric forms to create interest, with the prominent integration of Storage King’s brand identity throughout the exterior. The choice of insulated façade systems and rainscreen cladding solutions enabled the design team to achieve the desired aesthetic while maintaining high levels of fire performance and thermal efficiency.

Manufactured in Australia, the systems also supported streamlined delivery and reliable supply throughout construction, demonstrating how integrated façade and insulated panel solutions can successfully combine compliance, durability, efficiency, and design versatility on large-scale industrial developments.

Project Outcome

Completed in early 2026, the Storage King Wollongong facility now provides an aesthetically pleasing, multi-level self-storage solution designed to support the growing storage demands of the region. This development not only reinforces Storage King’s retail-focused brand identity, but also the benefits and capabilities of combining K- Roc Evolution, K-Roc Karrier, and Recess Fixed Cassette to deliver a high-performance building envelope solution tailored to the demands of modern self-storage facilities.

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