The Challenge
The skylights at Ondas Manly were required to meet a unique combination of demands:
- Deliver generous natural light to high-end residential interiors without glare or overheating.
- Integrate seamlessly into a complex concrete roof slab with structural hobs and waterproofing by others.
- Perform reliably in a coastal location exposed to salt air, wind, and driving rain.
- Meet Australian Standards for overhead glazing, wind loading, and watertightness.
- Maintain the refined architectural detailing expected of a premium Rob Mills–designed development.
Given the size and placement of the roof penetrations, off-the-shelf solutions were not suitable.
The Solution
Skyspan designed, engineered, and installed a suite of bespoke large-format glass skylights tailored specifically to the project geometry and performance requirements.
Skylight Package Included:
- Custom GXL Fixed Double-Glazed Skylights
- Sizes up to 2500 × 2500mm and 2485 × 3015mm
- Laminated heat-strengthened glass to AS1288
- 12mm argon-filled cavity for improved thermal performance
- Low-E coating to control solar heat gain while maximising daylight - Marine-Appropriate Construction
- Fully welded aluminium frames
- Zincalume apron flashings designed to suit concrete structural hobs
- Powder-coated finish to Dulux Duratec Elements® Monument®, complementing the building palette - Engineering & Certification
- Independent glass engineering certification
- Designed for wind, water, and structural performance in a coastal environment
- Installation using specialist glass suction equipment to ensure precision and safety
Skyspan worked closely with the builder and project team to coordinate shop drawings, installation sequencing, and site constraints, ensuring a smooth delivery despite the scale and complexity of the units.
The Outcome
The completed skylights introduce controlled, abundant daylight into the upper levels of Ondas Manly, enhancing spatial quality and reinforcing the calm, open atmosphere envisioned by the architect.
From within the apartments, the skylights frame soft sky light rather than direct exposure, supporting comfort and liveability. Externally, the low-profile detailing ensures the roofscape remains clean and architecturally resolved.
The result is a skylight solution that feels effortless—but is underpinned by robust engineering, careful detailing, and materials selected to withstand Australia’s demanding coastal conditions.
Ondas Manly stands as a strong example of Skyspan’s ability to deliver bespoke architectural skylights for premium residential projects, where performance, durability, and design excellence must coexist.
