AS the Melbourne Convention Centre rises from the banks of the
The centrepiece of the $1.4 billion development of
The building was awarded green star points for its pioneering use of chilled floor slabs in conjunction with displacement ventilation, the installation of a black water treatment plant in a large public building, and for driving product innovation through the supply of new sustainably harvested timber veneered board.
The centre, which will employ up to 1000 workers at peak construction, also has solar hot water systems and water efficient fixtures, including waterless urinals that use a chemical system.
An expansive north-east facing glass façade allows natural light to filter into the foyer which reduces the need for artificial light and provides some heating in winter.
Light fittings have been positioned to minimise energy consumption with some lighting designed with daylight and motion detection control features.
The sustainable timber veneer architectural “pineapple” wall (8500sqm of timber panelling) in the main foyer is made from just 56 spotted gum trees.
At the centre of the Plenary Group’s submission to achieve the six-star green rating is services manager Peter Endall, who said the green ideas did not stop there.
“Some of the green star points relate to the management of the construction process,” he said.
“For example, all the construction materials and packaging must be recycled, so it’s quite an involved process.
“They have to sort all the waste out into steel, plastic, timber and it all gets reused and recycled.
“There are literally hundreds of environmental bits and pieces which have been incorporated in the project.
“The environmental aspects of the design of the building is incorporated from the ground up and (in) virtually every aspect of thebuilding, not only from an engineering, but also an operational point of view.”
Construction began in early 2006 and is due for completion later this year.
Mr Endall said there was an increasing public expectation to mould the industry’s focus towards environmentally sensitive practices.
“I just think global warming and carbon emissions is at the forefront of everyone’s minds these days and it was a natural progression for green ratings to become standard fare for commercial buildings.
“Also, there’s a commercial aspect too because a lot of A-grade tenants, as a minimum, ask for some environmental rating in their office space.”
Mr Endall came from a plumbing background in residential/commercial buildings but hard work and 10 years of night school have equipped him with skills to move up the ladder.
The 43-year-old said service managers were in short supply and he had noticed a plethora of vacancy notices in papers. He said people who came from a trade background were often perfect.
“If you’ve got good solid trade background and you’ve got some strong skills, then you can pick up a job pretty much straight away,” he said.