Delivering the Privacy Apartment Residents Expect

One of the most important contributors to apartment comfort is acoustic performance.

As residential buildings become denser, unwanted noise from neighbouring units can significantly affect occupant wellbeing. The aerated concrete core within KOROK® panels provides substantial mass, helping reduce airborne sound transmission and improving low-frequency sound attenuation often associated with everyday apartment living.

KOROK® Intertenancy Apartment Systems can achieve Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings ranging from STC 55 through to STC 76, enabling designers to select solutions that suit project-specific requirements while exceeding minimum expectations for residential acoustic separation.

The result is a quieter living environment where residents enjoy greater privacy and comfort.

Fire Protection Built Into the Wall

Fire safety remains a critical consideration in multi-unit residential buildings. KOROK® systems provide tested passive fire protection designed to limit the spread of fire between occupancies. Because the fire resistance is inherent within the panel itself, the system offers a robust and reliable approach to compartmentation.

Configurations are available with Fire Resistance Ratings (FRR) from -/60/60 through to -/240/240, giving architects and fire engineers flexibility to meet the requirements of everything from standard apartment developments to complex multi-storey residential and mixed-use projects.

The solid-wall construction also allows electrical outlets, switches, and other services to be installed without requiring individual fire-rated protection at every penetration, simplifying detailing and reducing installation complexity.

Supporting Compliance with Confidence

KOROK® Intertenancy Apartment Systems are BRANZ Appraised and developed to align with recognised Australian and New Zealand Standards. They are designed to meet or exceed the requirements of key New Zealand Building Code clauses relating to:

• Structural performance (B1)
• Durability (B2)
• Fire spread protection (C3)
• Structural stability during fire events (C6)
• Airborne and impact sound control (G6)

With a serviceable life exceeding 50 years under normal dry internal conditions, the system provides confidence for developers, designers, and building owners alike.

A Smarter Solution for High-Density Living

As apartment living continues to play a larger role in New Zealand’s housing future, the importance of well-designed intertenancy construction will only increase.

KOROK® Intertenancy Apartment Systems help create spaces where residents feel protected from noise, safeguarded from fire, and confident in the quality of their surroundings. By combining exceptional fire performance, superior acoustic separation, and construction efficiency in a single solid-wall solution, KOROK® enables architects and developers to deliver apartments designed not only for compliance, but for better living.

When comfort, safety, and performance matter, KOROK® Intertenancy Apartment Systems provide the solid foundation for successful high-density residential design.

Let’s Talk About Your Next Data Centre Project

Whether you’re designing a hyperscale facility, edge data centre, co-location facility, or supporting infrastructure building, KOROK® can help deliver fire protection, acoustic performance and construction efficiency in one integrated solution.

Contact KOROK today to discuss your next data centre development.

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Project Maunga is the major redevelopment of Taranaki Base Hospital, delivering future‑focused healthcare facilities for the Taranaki region. The project sets new benchmarks for healthcare design, targeting Zero Energy and Zero Carbon certification through the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), while maintaining the rigorous fire, acoustic, and infection‑control standards required in a hospital environment.

Architectural Vision & Performance

Designed by Warren and Mahoney Architects, This project challenges traditional perceptions of hospital environments. The single‑level building prioritises accessibility, patient dignity, and clinical efficiency, while feeling more like a community clinic than a hospital.

After accounting for carbon‑sequestering materials, the building achieves a net upfront embodied carbon of –126 kg CO₂e/m², making it one of the first healthcare facilities globally to achieve a net‑negative carbon outcome.

Why KOROK® Was Chosen

KOROK® systems delivered the required fire resistance and acoustic performance for lift shafts, risers, and ducts, supporting patient safety, comfort, and regulatory compliance in a healthcare environment, while also enhancing construction efficiency. The system contributed to reduced construction time, and minimised programme risk.

• 813 m² of KOROK® 78 mm Galvanised Panels
• Applications: lift shafts, service risers and services ducts

The KOROK® 78 mm Galv Panel offered several advantages aligned with the project’s requirements:

• Fire and acoustic performance: Providing compliant fire separation and acoustic control essential for hospital service zones.
• Lightweight, high‑performance construction: Precision roll‑formed from AS/NZS 1397:2001 compliant zinc‑coated steel with a lightweight aerated concrete core, delivering strength at a nominal weight of just 10.2 kg per lineal metre.
• Efficient installation in confined spaces: Single‑side installation reduced the need for internal scaffolding within shafts, improving safety and construction efficiency.
• Reduced programme risk: Faster installation and minimal on‑site modification supported delivery within a complex, live hospital environment.

Outcome

The integration of KOROK® fire and acoustic rated wall systems supported the delivery of a world‑leading healthcare facility – one that combines sustainability leadership, patient‑centred design, and robust technical performance. At Taranaki Base Hospital, KOROK® has contributed to a building that is not only safe and durable, but also aligned with the project’s wider vision of resilience, efficiency, and long‑term environmental responsibility.

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KOROK® Fire and Acoustic Solutions Elevate a World-Class Arts Venue

The Waikato Regional Theatre is set to become a landmark for Hamilton and the wider Waikato region, bringing world-class performing arts, cultural vibrancy, and community engagement to the city centre. After six years of planning and collaboration, construction began in November 2021, with completion expected in 2025. KOROK® was proud to contribute to this transformational project, providing innovative fire and acoustic wall solutions that underpin both safety and sound quality.

KOROK® Contribution: Cinema-Grade Walls for Exceptional Performance

KOROK supplied 3,000 m² of our 78mm Galv Panel for the theatre, incorporating our specialised Cinema Systems designed specifically for performing arts venues. Each KOROK® 78mm Galv Panel is rollformed from zinc-coated steel strips, featuring a 0.4 mm base metal thickness and Z275 zinc coating, with an aerated concrete core weighing approximately 10.2 kg per lineal metre. These panels combine lightweight construction with superior acoustic and fire performance, making them ideal for auditoriums and rehearsal spaces.

Our systems deliver superior soundproofing, ensuring minimal sound transmission between performance spaces, enhancing the experience for audiences while meeting stringent fire safety standards. With a proven track record across cinema and theatre projects, KOROK® provides trusted, reliable solutions for both fire protection and acoustic performance.

Supporting a Heritage-Led, Community-Focused Project

The Waikato Regional Theatre has been designed as an arts-led urban regeneration project, reconnecting Hamilton’s city centre with the Waikato River. The theatre integrates the retained façade of the historic Hamilton Hotel, incorporates heritage elements and native timbers from the original building, and will feature a 1,300-seat lyric theatre capable of operating in both theatre and orchestra modes.

By installing KOROK® fire- and acoustic-rated walls, the project benefits from enhanced safety for visitors and staff, as well as controlled acoustics critical to both performances and audience enjoyment. KOROK’s lightweight, prefabricated systems complemented the architect’s use of mass timber for the auditorium roof, blade walls, catwalks, and bleachers, supporting the project’s ambitious programme while delivering practical fire and acoustic solutions.

Why KOROK® Was Chosen

Hamilton’s new theatre required walls that could handle high acoustic demands, strict fire compliance, and fast, efficient installation. KOROK® provided:

• High Fire Resistance: Fully compliant with New Zealand building code requirements, ensuring the safety of audiences, performers, and staff.
• Proven Acoustic Performance: Minimal sound transfer between spaces, delivering an immersive and high-quality performance experience.
• Efficient Installation: Lightweight panels with clip-together simplicity allowed for rapid assembly on a complex, multi-material project.

By integrating KOROK® systems into the Waikato Regional Theatre, the venue benefits from both technical performance and long-term reliability, supporting the vision of a cultural hub that will serve Hamilton and the Waikato region for decades.

Building a Legacy with KOROK®

From safeguarding audience experiences to supporting the acoustic integrity of performances, KOROK® has played a key role in making the Waikato Regional Theatre a safe, world-class venue. This project underscores KOROK’s expertise in delivering fire and acoustic solutions for complex, high-profile buildings, from cinemas to performance spaces, helping communities thrive through innovative and trusted wall systems.

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Project Overview
Air New Zealand’s Hangar 4 is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest single-span timber aircraft hangar, designed to simultaneously accommodate a widebody Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and two Airbus A320/A321 aircraft. The facility includes hangar space alongside workshops and engineering areas, all designed with sustainability, operational efficiency, and safety in mind.

KOROK’s Role
KOROK Building Systems supplied KOROK® External Wall Systems for Hangar 4, delivering a complete solution for fire-rated, acoustic-rated, and weatherproof external walls. These systems were essential for providing safe, durable, and efficient separation across hangar and workshop areas, while withstanding New Zealand’s unique environmental conditions.

Project Highlights

• Panels integrated seamlessly with the massive timber trusses, minimizing additional structural load.
• All-in-one design simplified construction and accelerated the project timeline.
• Fire and acoustic performance created a safe and productive working environment for Air New Zealand engineers.

Outcome
KOROK® External Wall Systems and 78mm Colour Panels supported Hangar 4 in achieving world-class standards in fire safety, acoustic separation, and weather resilience. The lightweight, durable, and efficient solution complemented the innovative mass timber construction, helping create a safe, functional, and sustainable aviation maintenance facility.

Products Used

• KOROK® External Wall Systems: All-in-one solution for external walls, offering fast installation, fire and acoustic protection, and weatherproof durability without the need for cranes or engineered slabs.
• 78mm KOROK® Colour Panels: Lightweight yet high-performance panels with a COLORSTEEL® steel shell and aerated concrete core, providing superior fire and acoustic protection while complementing the External Wall System.

Key Benefits Delivered

• Lightweight & Cost-Effective: Reduced installation time and material costs.
• Rapid, Simple Installation: Small installation teams managed wall construction efficiently.
• Fire & Acoustic Efficiency: Enhanced safety and operational comfort in hangar and workshop spaces.

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Designing townhouses, apartments, and terraced housing is always a balancing act. On one hand, you need to ensure absolute compliance with fire and acoustic separation standards. On the other, you’re under pressure to keep the build practical, efficient, and cost-effective. The systems you specify can either make that process seamless – or create unnecessary challenges. That’s why more architects are turning to KOROK® Fire and Acoustic Wall Systems

Why Architects Choose KOROK® in Residential Projects

Confidence in fire and acoustic performance is at the heart of KOROK®. Every system has been thoroughly tested, BRANZ-appraised, and designed to meet New Zealand’s strict compliance requirements. For residential projects, this reliability gives peace of mind – whether you’re working on attached homes or a multi-level apartment complex.

Equally important is speed. KOROK® panels are lightweight, pre-finished, and engineered with a steel shell and aerated concrete core. This reduces the need for multiple linings and accelerates installation, keeping builds moving forward and helping architects see their designs realised without compromise.

KOROK® also makes detailing simpler. The systems are straightforward and practical, allowing you to integrate fire and acoustic separation into your plans without excessive complexity. This ease of design translates into fewer site issues, ensuring a smoother construction process overall.

And then there’s sustainability. With panels that can be reused across projects, KOROK® helps reduce construction waste throughout the building lifecycle. For architects working to meet client expectations and growing environmental standards, this makes it a solution that balances performance with responsibility.

Designed for Residential Intertenancy

From terraced housing to multi-level apartments, KOROK® Intertenancy Systems are designed to integrate seamlessly into residential projects. They provide the reliable fire and acoustic separation you need, while also reducing time spent on problem-solving during construction.

Supporting Architects Beyond the Build

KOROK® goes further than supplying systems. Through CPD-accredited presentations, we provide architects and specifiers with practical knowledge that can be applied directly to projects – all while earning valuable CPD points. It’s one more way we support your professional growth alongside delivering building solutions.

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CASE STUDY

Te Iwitahi – Whangārei Civic Centre

The Project

The Te Iwitahi – Whangārei Civic Centre was conceived as a gateway project for Whangārei, reflecting multicultural themes, Tikanga Māori, and a transparent form to embody democracy in action. The four-storey building centralises council services, bringing together community, customer-facing functions, and staff workplaces in a single hub.

With a design anchored by a striking light-filled atrium, flexible open-plan workspaces, and biophilic design principles, the Civic Centre has become a vibrant, welcoming environment for both staff and community.

KOROK is proud to have supplied our fire and acoustic-rated wall systems to a project that has already achieved national recognition and set a benchmark for civic architecture in New Zealand.

KOROK’s Role

KOROK was proud to contribute to this award-winning project by supplying over 500m² of our fire and acoustic-rated wall panels. Our systems were installed across all lift shafts, risers, and ducts, delivering the critical fire safety and noise control performance the building required. These elements are essential in large civic projects, where high volumes of staff and community members move through the building daily. By providing a lightweight, robust, and compliant wall system, KOROK helped ensure safety, comfort, and efficiency throughout the construction process.

The Outcome

The Whangārei Civic Centre is now recognised not only for its architectural excellence but also for the way it serves the community. For KOROK, being part of such a landmark civic development showcases the reliability of our systems in high-performance, large-scale projects. Our involvement demonstrates how KOROK panels provide trusted solutions for critical infrastructure, meeting stringent fire and acoustic requirements while supporting project efficiency.

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When machinery is operating at high intensity, the noise can be just as intense as the output. Whether it’s recycling, manufacturing, or any high-impact industrial process, managing sound is not just a comfort issue – it’s a health, safety, and productivity one.

At KOROK, we understand the challenges that come with acoustic performances. That’s why our fire and acoustic wall systems are engineered to offer more than just compliance – they’re built to perform under pressure, especially when sound control is critical.

Real-World Results in Raglan: Xtreme Zero Waste

A great example of this in action is our recent project at the Xtreme Zero Waste Recycling Center in Raglan.

The challenge? Containing the loud crashes and clinks from their glass recycling facility – an essential part of their operation, but not the easiest on the ears.

Our solution was simple but effective: construct a purpose-built enclosure using KOROK fire and acoustic panels – essentially a “box” that wrapped around the recycling machinery to absorb and block the sound.

The result? Immediate improvement.

“The box looks awesome and works well,” the Xtreme team told us. It’s now a noticeably quieter and more comfortable environment for staff and visitors alike.

Why KOROK Panels Work for Noisy Machinery

KOROK wall systems are purpose-built for industrial environments, offering high acoustic performance to reduce machinery noise, along with fire resistance for added safety. Their durable construction ensures reliable performance under pressure, while the modular design allows for tailored solutions—from full enclosures to partitions. Plus, they deliver a clean, professional look, as demonstrated in real-world applications like Raglan.

For facilities like Xtreme Zero Waste, acoustic control isn’t just a luxury – it’s essential to keep workers safe, comply with council noise regulations, and maintain good relationships with surrounding communities.  So, if you’re facing excessive noise from machinery, get in touch. We’ll help you design a system that keeps the sound where it belongs – inside the box.

Interested in acoustic solutions for your facility?

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