171 Collins Street achieves impressive energy rating
Cbus Property and Charter Hall’s internationally lauded building, 171 Collins Street, Melbourne, has become the first building in Victoria to achieve a 6-star NABERS energy rating.
Designed by award-winning architects Bates Smart, engineered by Umow Lai and managed by Knight Frank, it is one of just two commercial office buildings in Australia to reach the rating milestone.
A building with a 6-star NABERS Energy rating emits 50 per cent less greenhouse gases than a building with a 5-star rating – long regarded to be the benchmark for modern sustainable office buildings.
171 Collins Street saves more than 1.3 million kilograms of carbon dioxide each year, equal to 568,000 litres of petrol or 139 homes’ energy use for one year when compared to a building with a 5 Star NABERS Energy Rating.
Cbus Property Chief Executive Officer Adrian Pozzo said 171 Collins Street, home to BHP Billiton, had set a new benchmark in sustainability and was a shining example of the drive to create highly sustainable workplaces for the future.
“171 Collins Street is a lighthouse example of how premium grade buildings can deliver architectural beauty, world leading sustainability and exceptional occupant amenities without compromise,” he said.
‘This milestone caps off several years of dedication by the entire project team as well as 171 Collins Street’s tenants in delivering and maintaining a truly green and sustainable building.”
The 6-star NABERS Energy rating comes off the back off 171 Collins Street becoming the first premium building in 2014 to achieve the prestigious 6 Star Green Star As Built Office V2 rating by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), achieving a record 83 points.
In addition it has been recognised at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific, United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Awards and Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards.
Opening its doors to tenants in June 2013, 171 Collins Street features a myriad of best practice sustainability features in an architectural landmark that fuses a heritage façade with modern design, creating a workplace for the future.
The building features an Australian-first ceiling tile system that absorbs office pollutants and creates a healthier office environment for workers.
Meanwhile, its innovative greywater treatment program collects used water from the cyclist shower facilities and recycles it through the building’s cooling towers and toilets, offsetting more than 90 per cent of the cooling towers’ water consumption.
The outside of the building is similarly impressive, with 171 Collins Street’s exterior a big driver of cost efficiency – this high-performance façade folds light from the sky into the building, also helping to achieve energy efficiency targets.
A radiant cooling and heating system and an under-floor air distribution network provides energy efficient thermal comfort for occupants, while the air conditioning system allows large quantities of outside air to be brought into the office space at a low velocity and distributed using natural stratification.
Charter Hall’s Head of Office, Adrian Taylor, explained that the rating proved that world-leading sustainability measures could be delivered at a competitive cost and with no adverse impact on the forecast investment returns.
“We are very pleased with the performance of 171 Collins Street. It is a building that continues to be recognised for its innovation in sustainability and we hope sets the benchmark for the industry into future,” he said.
“It has been a terrific effort to get to where we are today and [the] key to that has been ensuring all team members, contractors and tenant customers share our vision to create a sustainable workplace,” Mr Taylor added.
171 Collins Street’s sustainability credentials include:
– 9 storey glass atrium that maximises natural light
– Floor to ceiling double glazing with thermal insulation to help maintain occupant comfort
– High-performance ceramic fritted glass façade to reduce heat gain and glare
– Dedicated waste storage area for separation, collection and recycling
– Advanced rainwater and greywater reuse system
– Highly flexible under-floor air distribution system for superior indoor air quality
– Highly optimised lighting design with extensive controls for occupancy and daylight harvesting
– Energy-efficient fixtures and fittings
– Low-voc and formaldehyde emissions
– Premium end-of-trip facilities with 280 bicycle spaces, showers, change rooms and lockers
– Destination controlled lift systems
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