Sustainable stars bag national property awards

A large heritage office and a small sustainable workplace have taken home awards for sustainability at the 2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards.

The spectacular refurbishment of one of Sydney’s most loved sandstone buildings, 5 Martin Place, has been rewarded with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation Award for Best Sustainable Development – Existing Buildings.

Dexus and Cbus Property were presented with the award for a “heritage restoration project that has delivered one of the most inspired and innovative commercial workspaces in Australia,” says the Property Council’s Chief Executive, Ken Morrison.

Built in 1913 as the headquarters of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 5 Martin Place was among the first in the world to use an advanced structural steel frame in its construction.

Protecting the building’s heritage required clever design solutions, including a cantilever over the existing building which supports the new tower above.

Despite the complex structural engineering required, the building has achieved 5 Star Green Star ratings for design and construction, and a 5 star NABERS Energy rating.

During construction, 95.7 per cent of total demolition and construction waste was recycled – a massive 23,740 tonnes.

By retaining the existing structure and façade, the project team reduced the need for new steelworks, cutting around 5,800 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

Salvaged materials removed from building – like timber doors and marble panelling – were incorporated into the new design wherever possible.

The wellbeing of building occupants was also enhanced with better indoor air quality, providing at least 150 per cent more outside air than required under the Australian standard.

5 Martin Place has also embraced the City of Sydney’s bike standards by accommodating more than 200 bicycle racks and associated end-of-bike trip facilities, including a bicycle repair service.

“5 Martin Place demonstrates how older buildings can be upgraded to meet new sustainability standards,” Mr Morrison says.

“And by breathing new life into the streetscape below, and investing in public art, Dexus and Cbus Property have enhanced one of Australia’s most important gathering places.”

5 Martin Place also took home the RLB Australian Development of the Year and the SAS International Award for Best Office Development.

Meanwhile, engineering firm Floth has bagged yet another sustainability award for 69 Robertson Street in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, after winning the WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff Award for Best Sustainable Development – New Buildings.

According to Managing Director of RLB Queensland, David Stewart, Floth’s three-storey headquarters has redefined the sustainable workplace in Australia.

“Floth has combined the world-leading with the practical to deliver a building with a swag of sustainability ratings,” Mr Stewart says.

69 Robertson Street achieved the first 6 Star Green Star Design & As Built certified rating in Australia, and the first 6 star NABERS Indoor Environment rating.

Energy modelling predicted a 53 percent reduction in operational carbon emissions from façade and integral building services improvements. A 15-kilowatt roof-mounted solar system further offset 28 per cent of the building’s operational energy, slashing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 19,000 kilograms a year. Additional emissions are offset through GreenPower.

Rainwater is collected on the building’s roof and stored in a 15-kilolitre tank. Together with other water-saving measures, the building uses three quarters less than a standard practice building.

“69 Robertson Street was the first to meet the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council’s standard definition of a zero-carbon building. This has really led the way for other companies considering whether carbon neutral is possible,” Mr Stewart adds.

RLB has partnered with the Property Council of Australia to present the Innovation & Excellence Awards program since its inception in 1982.

The 2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Award winners were announced on Friday 5 May at a gala dinner at the International Convention Centre Sydney.

A full list of winners is available online: www.propertycouncilawards.com.au