A recent Built project located at 180 Thomas St in Haymarket has
achieved a 6 Star Green Star Office Interiors v1.1 rating in Round 1. The high-end
three-level fitout executed by Built for TransGrid has earned the distinction
of being the first fitout in NSW to achieve this status.
The initial brief from the client specified a 5 Star Green Star Office
Interiors v1.1 rating requirement. However, Built was able to identify an
additional 13 weighted points including three innovation points, which helped
the building attain the 6 Star rating.
Joe Karten, Senior Project Engineer – Sustainability at Built explained
that close collaboration with the client and the design team enabled Built to
redefine a pathway that surpassed TransGrid’s initial 5 Star requirement to
obtain a 6 Star rating.
Design and sustainability features of the TransGrid fitout included the use
of recycled telegraph poles throughout, providing functionally decorative
secure walls and balustrading while reducing reliance on virgin timber;
inter-tenancy stairway cutting through the centre of the floorplate and opening
up the floors to allow light to penetrate and connect staff across all floors;
extensive specification of fitout furnishing and carpet with environmental
product declarations; and reduced finishes for circulation zones including
polished concrete used on circulation paths and exposed ceiling services above
these areas.
Sustainability features also included mixed mode Wintergarden with
operable louvres, in-slab hydronic heating and hanging ivy; active chilled beam
system providing energy efficient cooling for the building while conserving
heating/cooling energy due to its thermal performance; office lighting zoned to
minimise lighting energy use after hours; and facilities providing showers,
lockers and change rooms to encourage cycling and walking to work.
Green initiatives by Built during construction included a demolition and
construction phase recycling rate of over 96% achieved on site with less than
4% of material going to landfill; use of PVC alternatives or Best Environmental
Practice PVC products enforced on site; regular toolbox talks and subcontractor
meetings around use of low environmental impact product ensuring a healthy site;
and precision workmanship, exceptional collaboration and comprehensive problem
solving ensuring an outstanding final product.
In addition to the TransGrid fitout, Built completed the base building
works, undertaking a complicated mandate to deliver a nine-storey office
building on top of an operational electricity substation serving most of Sydney
City. This construction activity took place during the continued operation of
the substation. The base building also achieved its desired 5 Star Green Star
As Built v3 rating in the Round 1 assessment through a host of sustainable
initiatives, including active chilled beam cooling, T5 zoned lighting and an
HVAC system delivering 100% outside air.
