Overview
The building located at 40 Gateway Road began as a ‘Greenfield’ site of approximately 6,120m2 with no existing trees and an approximate fall of 3.5 metres from east to west. A basement level car park accommodating twenty cars was built into the western end of the new building to take advantage of this natural fall. Site preparation included a large amount of cut and fill works.
Construction
There were many different construction methods/materials used to construct the building. This allowed the building to achieve a 5-star environmental performance rating under the NABERS Energy for Offices scheme. The building showcases how water and energy saving design features can be incorporated into a large commercial building. The building delivers a 30 per cent reduction in energy consumption and a 50 per cent reduction in water consumption for office accommodation. Recycling targets for materials used during the construction period were also established, extending sustainability outcomes within the supply chain.
Special Features
The new building reduces water consumption by 50%. Rainwater which is collected from the roof is used for flushing toilets and watering gardens. Stormwater is filtered in bio swales to improve the water quality before it is discharged into the drainage system. The orientation and shape maximises the benefits of thermal radiation and natural light. Sections of the building are constructed from thermal mass concrete walls. These capture the sun’s heat in winter while the shading fins minimise hot summer sun entering the building, reducing reliance on air conditioning. Solar cells mounted on the roof reduce the building’s reliance on off-site energy generation and a ‘night purge’ system allows cool air in at night and the previous day’s heat to escape.
Completion
The project was completed within the time restraints and the client was very impressed with the quality of the project.
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