Melbourne Office Snags New Green Rating
The $4 million office features a monitoring system for electricity usage, energy-efficient lighting, and water efficient fixtures.
Nicholas Tamarin -- Interior Design, 4/20/2009 12:00:00 AM
The eucalyptus trees can make room for a new type of green down under—Australia's first Green Star Office Interiors v1.1 project, which was shepherded by homeland interior design firm Geyer.
Green Building Council of Australia's Green Star, similar to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system, certified the new headquarters for the Victorian Auditor General's Office under Interiors v1.1, a rating reserved solely for office interiors. It is used to determine the suitability and longevity of a building’s fit-out materials after a yearlong occupancy period.
Led by Geyer sustainability expert John Lenagan, the firm outfitted VAGO’s Melbourne offices with a slew of systems designed to reduce energy usage. Sub-meters were installed to assist the building manager to monitor electricity usage. An energy-efficient lighting system automatically controls T5 linear fluorescent bulbs with motion and daylight sensors, resulting in an estimated energy usage of 16 percent, compared with 67 percent in standard offices. For its part, VAGO purchases 25 percent of its power with Green Power energy credits, drawing upon solar, wind and other renewable resources.
Geyer also installed water efficient fixtures such as dual-flush toilets, waterless urinals, sensor activated taps, and efficient showerheads. The fixtures are projected to save VAGO up to 55 percent in water usage compared to a typical office with standard water fixtures.
Images courtesy of Geyer.
We would love your feedback!
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
