Roundy: News

Read about the buzz The Roundy has been generating in the media:

Roundy in the Cloud for the Rugby World Cup The opening of the Cloud for the Rugby World Cup by John Key NZ Prime Minister on the 2nd September was an amazing event. Especially for the staff at CSI as Roundy was chosen by NZTE to be highlighted as one of 15 top products showcased for the duration of the Rugby World Cup. The Cloud showcases the best of NZ's innovative companies that are achieving a global status. More information on The Cloud is available here.
Roundy's Success: Roundy a finalist for the Emerging Gold Caterory - Gold Awards Wellington, stuff.co.nz, June 13, 2011 Igloos and heat circulation are rarely mentioned in the same breath but Walter and Margaret Hensch say Eskimos know a thing or two about energy efficiency and so do they. Their company, Corner Solutions, a finalist in the emerging category of the Wellington Gold Awards, sells the “roundy” – a curved plaster board for creating rounded corners in buildings, much like an igloo's curved walls. A builder by trade, Mr Hensch developed a technique for bending the board to create a seamless curve, after fielding numerous queries from architects and homeowners. Corners at 90-degree angles have been shown to trap energy, whereas rounded corners encourage energy flow, he says. "They're much better for heating and cooling a building." The roundy also saves space, softens the look and feel of a room and is more durable than conventional corners, which are prone to scrapes and bumps as people and objects clip them. “If you take a new house the first thing to go are the corners. In the past five years we've had no damage with our corners and we've never had to replace one.” The company has installed roundy boards in commercial sites, including the new BNZ building on Wellington's waterfront and retailers such as Spa Express in the Old Bank Arcade, and in homes. Mrs Hensch says the company is negotiating with potential licensees in Asia – where the roundy's space-saving qualities are particularly attractive – and Britain and is confident of signing on a licensee in the United States. Corner Solutions is proud of its energy-efficient product and makes every effort to be carbon neutral, she says. "There's no waste [in manufacturing]. Walter cuts them to architects' designs.” Any roundy boards made overseas will be made using the host country's boards. Mr Hensch says all manufacturing is done by hand but he is investigating developing a machine to do the job, which would boost productivity and could be sold straight into export markets. The roundy also allows for a 90-degree corner on the other side, which can be important to accommodate cupboards or a bath or shower behind it. Rounded corners can also be made using plaster boards and fibrous plaster for the curve, but that creates seams and tends to be more expensive, he says. Some of the company's biggest challenges have been marketing itself on a modest budget and getting builders on board. “There is that resistance to change.” This article published with permission from: www.stuff.co.nz
The National Business Review, July 4, 2008 Roundy and Corner Solutions International are recognised in the Bayer Innovators Awards, the article notes that “The Roundy has been designed to create a radical change in the sustainability of the construction sector and a zero carbon foot print.” Building Today Magazine 36 The Roundy has been featured as a first for curved joint-free seamless plasterboards for interior walls as an innovative solution for internal walls and ceilings. The article went on to point out that the new flexible plasterboard is the future for internal walls, as it can enhance visual appeal, increase safety and expand design options for any building. The Roundy Wall Plaster Board system could be just what is required for the current trends in organic building design, as seen in some of the latest architectureal design in New Zdaland and around the world. Idealog The editorial noted the uniqueness of the rounded plaster boards being marketed under the "Roundy" brand, and its many advantages. The curved plaster board is less prone to damage, is well-suited to high-traffic areas and saves space as well as looking great. Buy Kiwi Made showcase MP for Mana Luamanuvao Winnie Laban recently met with Walter Hensch from local company Corner Solutions International Ltd at the 'Buy Kiwi Made' showcase held at the Beehive. "It is good to see local firms such as Corner Solutions getting in behind the Buy Kiwi Made campaign," said Luamanuvao Winnie Laban. The $11.5 million Buy Kiwi Made campaign is part of the Labour-led government's cooperation agreement with the Green Party. The aim of Wednesday's showcase was to promote awareness of Buy Kiwi Made and involved 34 New Zealand companies. Trends Magazine Volume 22 No 9 Well-rounded options. The article made special note that the Roundy systems are providing fluid design solutions with a dramatic impact, and features some great shots of the Spa Express, The Old Bank Arcade, and Wellington Architects and Design Club. This article can be accessed by going to www.trendsideas.com	Homestyle Magazine Issue 22 A wall-papered Roundy is featured in an article covering “a sprawling country home in touch with the local environment”. Trends Magazine Volume 23 Installed Rounds, Maritime Tower, Wellington. Main contractor: Fletcher Construction. Architect: Warren & Mahoney. "KPMG's ninth-floor reception area features a curved plasterboard wall. As well as contributing to aesthetic originality, the rounded wall is far less likely to to sustain the damage that a sharp corner would in this high-traffic area leading from the elevator." New Zealand Construction News Editorial on a world first invention. Acknowledging the 3 years of research & development taken to achieve a seamless curved plasterboard down to a 200mm. radius. The Dominion Post "A world first invention from a Porirua based company is sending architects and builders around the bend. On the serious side the article noted that the Roundy has attracted alot of interest from architects and builders, and has completed commercial, retail and residential projects in NZ . As well, it is on the drawing board for a large number of construction projects, including a monastery in Hawkes Bay, a hospice chapel and a new Australian hospital." Progressive Building Issue 54 Cutting Corners "Curved walls and ceilings enhance the aesthetics, space and flow of individual spaces. What's more, the incidence of damage to the wall is lower, cleaning is easier and physical space in small areas is increased." Architecture New Zealand "Designed and produced by Wellington Master Builder Walter Hensch, the Roundy is the first curved plaster board on the New Zealand market. The convex or concave curver plaster board is an industry-standard 10mm thick, and may be curved down to a radius of 200mm. Matching skirtings and cornices are available."