The buildings were designed and constructed to respond to a Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) brief which sought to establish a landmark campus style office development while incorporating best practice in environmental design and workplace environment principles. The development has already achieved a 5 Star Green Star Office As Built rating from the GBCA, and a 5 Star ABGR NABERS Rating, placing it amongst the most sustainable buildings in Australia.
This has been achieved by the use chilled beam air-conditioning, one pass air system with energy recovery from air to air heat exchangers on the supply and exhaust air. Waste heat from the condenser water system is used to reheat the incoming air after dehumidification. Recycled water from the SOPA WRAMS is used in the cooling towers, toilet flushing to mitigate use of potable water. Waste condenser water heat is used to preheat make-up water to the domestic hot water system. Lighting is T5 incorporation high frequency/low loss ballasts, motion detectors, LED lighting in the balustrades and CBA signage, to reduce power consumption, and each floor has multiple zones for the air-conditioning and lighting for after hours. Variable speed drive pumps and motors, with magnetic bearing chillers reduce noise and energy consumption. High quality, double glazed curtain wall façade with external sunshades and metallic-backed internal blinds control heat flows through the façade. 90% recycling rate of materials during construction. Polypropylene piping is specified for hot and cold water reticulation, having less embodied energy than copper piping and better thermal insulating properties. Only low VOC paint, carpet, sealants and adhesives were used, with non-PVC communication cabling, to improve internal health effects.
This results in a building that has been energy efficient building to construct and operate, providing a very healthy internal environment for the occupants.