Green Building Council of Australia – January 12

We visited the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and were provided a detailed presentation and tour by its Executive Director Robin Mellon.  The GBAC is a non-profit organization whose goal is to develop a sustainable property industry for Australia by adopting standardized green building practices (www.gbca.org.au) . 

The GBCA’s office is a great example of leading by example, as it has achieved a 5-star Green Star Office Interior rating.  At a cost of approximately $1.3 million, the office was retrofitted with the highest of environmental standards incorporated with sustainable design and practices receiving points in all the rating categories as listed below:

·         Management

·         Indoor Environment Quality

·         Energy

·         Transport

·         Water

·         Material

·         Emission

·         Innovation

Some of the features that the building incorporates are:

• REDUCE (dematerialisation) - exposed ceilings where possible to reduce use of plasterboard / ceiling tiles.
• RECYCLE - some furniture has been reupholstered (such as café chairs).
• OPEN PLAN - office space allows for interaction between all staff, and demonstrates workplace equality. It also maximises the natural light and views to all staff.

• BATHROOMS - dual flush (water efficient) cisterns have been installed. Urinals are 6 Star water efficient (0.8Litres /flush), and are controlled by motion detectors. Bathroom taps are water saving spring loaded taps. All taps and toilets (including kitchen sink and dishwaters) are connected to the grey water system, and were supplied by Caroma.
• BLINDS - Verosol blinds are installed on every perimeter window to control light penetration, glare and heat. All window blinds are fully automated and controlled by the touch screen panel by the lifts. Eventually, these blinds will be set on a timer, with manual override.

• CEILINGS - where possible, we have chosen to limit installation of ceilings throughout all the tenancy to avoid unnecessary use of materials.
• CO2 MONITORS - are located in meeting rooms and general office areas. These devices monitor the amount of CO2, while sensors deliver higher levels of fresh air for occupant comfort.
• DISPLACEMENT VENTILATION - a highly energy efficient mechanical air conditioning system has been installed, delivering air through vents at floor level in workstation areas, and window bays and through plenum wall boxes along the perimeter of the west and south areas of the office. This air is then vented out through return air ducts above the light shelves. Floor vents can be rotated to direct the flow of air to maximize worker comfort.
• FLOORING - carpet is from InterfaceFLOR, has low VOC content and can be recycled. Carpet tiles are held in place with adhesive stickers (on the corners of each tile). No carpet glue is used. The concrete floor has been polished and sealed with water-based sealant.
• GREEN WALL - a living plant wall is featured behind the reception area. It is both functional and decorative. As the plants grow they also provide visual privacy.
• GREY WATER - all water and other material (such as soap, food scraps) that goes down the sink, or into the dishwasher, is pumped along a grey waste pipe and into a grey water collection tank. The tank is located in a cupboard beside the meeting room's food preparation area. All solid material is filtered out, and then the water is used for flushing the toilets and urinals. The grey water is only released into the system when the tank level is high enough. At other times regular tap water is used.
• INDOOR PLANTS - are supplied and maintained by Rentokil. These act as biofilters to convert CO2 into oxygen It also brings the outside environment inside the office.
• JOINERY - all joinery in the office is made from low formaldehyde (E0) board.
• LIGHTING - all lighting is by Zumtobel. Workstation lighting provides both task and ambient lighting in one system. Meeting room and boardroom lighting runs on a sensor system. We are awaiting replacement of LED lights in the boardroom and then the touch panel can be fine-tuned. Eventually, all lights in the tenancy will be linked to the Dali automated system, providing maximum user and energy efficiency.
• OUTDOOR PLANTER BOXES - contain hardy, climate tolerant plants. The large grey planter boxes along the length of the balcony contain Lemon Ironbark and Golden Guinea vine. The planter boxes on either end of the balcony contain culinary herbs - thyme, oregano and rosemary.
• UTILITIES ROOM - all printers and photocopiers and computer racks are contained here. All pollutants are contained, and can be properly ventilated.
• WASTE BINS - have been provided for recycled paper and card, recycled plastic, and appropriate food scraps for the worm farm. Small bins are in kitchen areas and large paper and plastic, glass, steel and aluminum recycling bins are in the utilities room.
• WORM FARM - we have two and both are fed by food scraps generated by the GBCA staff.