The Bates Smart designed mixed-use development 420 George Street, Sydney has achieved a 5 Star Green Office “As Built” Green Star v2 rating — the only mixed use development to achieve the rating in New South Wales.

The building, completed in late 2010, was repositioned and developed by Fortius Funds Management and Australian Prime Property Fund (managed by Lend Lease) and built by Lend Lease Project Management and Construction.

Aurecon, as part of the Lend Lease Project Management and Construction team, provided practical and cost efficient energy solutions allowing the building’s high environmental goals to be achieved.

Marek Tomaszewski, Aurecon Project Director said, “Implementing the right combination of green technologies to complement the building’s design has resulted in significant energy and cost efficiencies while providing very comfortable conditions within the space.”

Fortius Funds management’s projects director, Sam Sproats commented:

“The project was particularly challenging to certify against the Green Star tool given the demarcation of Mid City retail centre, the Virgin Active Health Club, the staged occupancy of incoming commercial tenants, and an integrated central plant arrangement. Each design challenge was collaboratively resolved to ensure the building is resource-efficient throughout its life-cycle.”

  • Innovative approaches to the design of the mechanical, electrical and vertical transportation services, including:
  • High efficiency decoupled central chilled water plant serving both retail and commercial mechanical systems.
  • High temperature chilled water system serving the chilled beams
  • A hybrid mechanical system consisting of Active chilled beams and VAV
  • Increased indoor environmental air quality and air distribution
  • High efficiency lighting
  • High efficiency lifts
  • Extensive electrical and mechanical metering system

“The combination of active chilled beams and low air temperature VAV (variable air volume) provided a highly energy efficient mechanical plant while reducing the client’s capital expenditure,” added Tomaszewski.

The $290m mixed development is a new landmark building located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD between Pitt Street Mall and George Street, Sydney. The development consists of four retail levels, 28 levels of office and 2 basement levels of parking. The commercial tower provides approximately 37,000m2 of A+ Grade office accommodation while the retail podium provides for 9,000 sqm of multi-level retail.

The building is also designed to achieve a 4.5 Star NABERS Energy rating and is currently trending well above design expectations after seven months of occupation.

“As a leading engineering consultancy Aurecon offers highly specialised building services specialists who create market leading, tailored solutions for property clients seeking efficient, sustainable performance in their buildings,” Tomaszewski said.