Councils overarching objectives for the development were to embed the culture of sustainability into the design and operation of the facility, and to achieve a 5 star Green Star Public Building v1 Design Rating.

The project was envisaged and developed with reference to Council’s overarching Sustainability Framework which outlines Council’s commitments and principles across 8 key environmental imperatives.

Stemming from this Framework, Council’s greenhouse reduction strategy targets a 50% reduction in Council’s carbon emissions by 2023 and its Sustainable Water Strategy aspires to a water sensitive city.

301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

6 Storeys comprising offices, customer service, library and community rooms

Architect: Lyons

ESD and Mechanical Engineering: AECOM

Builder: Kane Construction

August 2016

July 2016

Certified 5 star Green Star Public Building v1 Design Rating

Indoor environment quality

The building’s ventilation system provides a 50% increase over Australian Standard Ventilation rates for improved occupant amenity coupled with variable fresh air volume control in response to space carbon dioxide concentration including a space carbon dioxide concentration monitoring and control system.

The building services and internal partitions have been designed to help maintain appropriate internal ambient noise levels, thereby not disrupting occupant concentration.

A large proportion of the building has a long distance views to the outdoors to reduce occupant eyestrain.

The building layout has been designed to maximise day lighting potential reducing artificial lighting levels and energy consumption combined with internal blinds for occupant control of glare.

Thermal comfort levels have been modelled and assessed during the design process.

All new and existing ductwork has maintenance access and is cleaned in accordance with AIRAH Hygiene Practice Guideline 2010 or the National Air Duct Cleansers Association ACR 2006 Standard.

Energy efficiency

The thermal performance of the façade has been optimised during the design process to ensure that solar loads are reduced under peak summer conditions resulting in a reduction in air conditioning system energy consumption.

Energy efficient lighting is included throughout the building. Motion sensors are utilised to ensure that electric lighting is only turned on when required. Photo-electric sensors facilitate daylight compensation in perimeter areas where there is natural daylight penetration.

A 32 KW Solar PV System is incorporated into the rooftop

After hours AC switches tied to each fan coil unit allow for the most minimised schedule for whole of building AC.

The central Atrium operates mix-mode air-conditioning allowing automated natural ventilation when ambient conditions are suitable.

Water efficiency

Roof derived rainwater is diverted to the re-use water storage tank on the ground level where water is treated, stored and reused within the building for toilet and urinal flushing.

Greywater derived from the Level 1 shower facility and hand basins from the core amenities on level 1-6 is diverted to a 5,000L greywater collection tank and treatment system on the Ground Level. The water is treated, stored and reused for within the building for toilet and urinal flushing.

Water efficient fixtures and fittings have been selected to reduce potable and non-potable water consumption.

Materials

Materials with low environmental impact have been selected where fit for purpose. This includes products with recycled content, products sourced from environmentally responsible companies and minimising the use of PVC.

Timber used is salvaged or certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC).

Transport

The development has promoted the use of bicycles by providing cyclist facilities with 4 showers, 36 lockers and storage for 59 bicycles (35 secured for tenants and 24 for visitors)

Car parking requirements associated with the use and development of the land for the Brimbank Community and Civic Centre have been waived. As a result, no additional car parking has been developed specifically for the building.

Waste management

Co-mingled and organics recycling is collected throughout the building with the organics collected and processed at Councils operations centre for reuse as a fertiliser in parks and gardens.

Disposable cups and plastic utensils are banned from all kitchenette and refreshment stations, and reusable crockery is supplied to all event spaces.

Urban ecology

The building has been developed on a formally contaminated site within the existing urban domain, thereby reducing pressures on urban expansion into natural areas and farmland.

Lessons learnt

What was the most important lesson learnt?

One of the original aims was to include a green roof leisure area that would have provided a number of environmental benefits. While this aspect didn’t proceed, it did highlight the importance of framing the benefits associated with all ESD features in the budgetary planning process.

The size of the solar system was limited by the layout and scale of other plant and equipment located on the rooftop. In future projects the roof design will prioritise solar PV coverage to enable greater generation of renewable energy.

HVAC settings are not currently adjusted between summer and winter or allowed to fluctuate within a wide band to accommodate perceived sensitivity around staff thermal comfort levels. In future projects it will be important to achieve prior agreement on a HVAC operational strategy to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.

Further work occurred during the defects and liability period to bring the BMS interface and coverage to a standard suitable for understanding by a general audience. It is important for stakeholders to be involved in the design of BMS systems to ensure they provide useful and easily read and accessible information.

The project enjoyed numerous ESD outcomes including the rooftop and greywater harvesting system, and well designed and abundant cyclist facilities.