Sensational-Adelaide.com

First 6 Green Star rated building

Date: 24 Oct 2007

SA Water’s new headquarters under construction in Victoria Square has today been granted 6 Green Star Rating – the first building in South Australia to gain such a ranking.

Premier Mike Rann said this is the highest rating awarded by the Green Building Council of Australia.

“This is the first and largest commercially developed building of its kind in Australia, and reinforces our commitment to improving the energy efficiency of government buildings by 25% from 2000-01 levels by 2014,” Mr Rann said.

“The building - Victoria Square 1 (VS1) - is currently under construction and will house SA Water as the major tenant, will deliver considerable savings in terms of energy and water conservation with its innovative design and construction.”

“The 10-storey building will use over 70% less mains water compared to a conventional office building – saving 11 million litres of water a year.

“This building was designed to reach six-star rating – and even the building practices on site will see the recycling of over 90% of construction and demolition waste -well above the typical 60 percent or less achieved by comparable commercial developments.

Designed by South Australian company Hassell and built by Hansen Yuncken, the VS1 building will consolidate all SA Water’s customer services for the public and the plumbing industry, a state of the art water science laboratory and head office functions.

The building has been awarded South Australia’s first and highest 6 Green Star rating based on its innovative features which include:

· An on-site co-generation plant to decrease peak electricity and energy demand on hot summer days. Waste heat is used by the building air conditioning system;

· 100% fresh outside air under most seasonal conditions, promoting a healthier work environment;

· Collection of rainwater and treatment of the building’s sewerage for reuse in toilet flushing, irrigation and cooling towers;

· Use of water efficient taps toilets and waterless urinals with AAAA rating;

· Light sensors that automatically switch off lights when abundant natural light is present;

· Separation of site waste for recycling;

· A ban on the use of disposable cups;

· Facilities for up to 140 bicycle commuters.

“We are delighted to see this important milestone achieved, as we work towards our legislated target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the State by at least 60 per cent of 1990 levels by 2050.”

urban wrote:Cruise you had better not look at the domestic energy efficient rating system.

You require 5 stars from FirstRate to have a house approved for construction but there are a number of truly energy efficient houses around which would receive 12 stars plus.

6 Star Green Star Certified Rating (score 75-100) signifies 'World Leadership'

urban wrote:jacklarge, I was actually responding to Cruise's hatred of star ratings which extend beyond 5 and was not intending to draw a connection between the house rating system and AGBR.

The other interesting point about AGBR is the emphasis on healthy working environments with points awarded for low VOC emitting internal finishes and fresh air requirements for air conditioning. Productivity of workers in Green Star accredited buildings has been found to be higher than traditional buildings particularly in the afternoon when traditionally the CO2 levels have built up.

UrbanSG wrote:Quick slightly blurry pic from today. The cladding on the eastern elevation doesn't seem to allow for the shading shown in the render. Hopefully this means the shading feature here has been removed. I like the glass and thin green and white stripes on this elevation compared to the render.