The brief for 3,5,7 Molonglo Drive, part of Brindabella Business Park in Canberra, incorporated an objective to achieve a minimum 5 star NABERS and 5 star Green Star rating.
The development, totalling just under 36,000 sqm, comprises five floors of open plan office tenancy plus two floors of undercover parking.
Sustainable initiatives which will help to achieve the building's green goals include Viridian ThermoTech insulating glass units (IGUs), solar hot water, water recycling, external sun screening and a tri-generation facility.
Green and blue perforated aluminium panels line the lengths of the building, providing sun screening and reflecting the building's aviation location.
3,5,7 Molonglo Drive consists of approximately 5,000 sqm of glazed areas including a glass atrium, five glass lifts, frameless glazing above the entrances and glass pods.
Michael Tolhurst, architect from Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn Architects says "In the case of 3,5,7 Molonglo Drive, we consciously maximised the use of glass. As well as being one of the major design components, it improves daylight in the office spaces and makes the most of the building's 360 degree views."
The building's two lower ground floors offer over 200 secure car spaces and large storage facilities serviced by a goods lift and loading area. The lower ground floor also houses 30 showers, change room facilities and bicycle storage, to encourage workers to take a more environmentally friendly mode of transport to work.
The tri-generation plant that is to be included is modelled to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions over a 5 star NABERS rated building. It means that excess energy that would otherwise have been lost during the production of electricity will be used to heat the building in winter and cool it in summer. The hot water which is generated is then available for use as domestic hot water.
The facility is also designed to recycle all water from the site, which will then be used for the building's toilets and landscaping.
