Sustainability

• Living Wall 1 Bligh Street Sydney and ProctorWrap Black Label by Andy Russell
  in Sustainability, Global Building Envelope Practices
  14 Dec 2011  | 0 Comments

  When visiting the CBD of Sydney of late I have been trying to take a detour past the recently complete office tower, 1 Bligh Street. Designed by Architectus, in association with Ingenhoven Architects in Germany, the sustainable office tower achieved the 6 Star Green Star Office Design V2 Certified Rating from the Green Building Council of Australia and has won a series of awards recently including the 2011 UDIA NSW Awards for Excellence – Retail/Commercial Development. Besides my interest in the double skin façade and other sustainable features, this is also one of the first projects in Australia to use the ProctorWrap Black Label - a recent addition to our range of vapour permeable sarking membranes. The membrane was used behind the green wall designed and installed by Fytogreen. At 9.7m high and covering just 377m2 I was a bit surprised to discover that this is Australia’s largest green wall or vertical garden. This is a record I expect will be over overtaken in the near future if the growing interest in the media about 1 Bligh Street and green facades is anything to go by.

  Plenty of positives from greens on the side, Sydney Morning Herald, David Adams, 19 Nov2011. Erwin Taal, a landscape architect and spokesman for the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, says wall gardens are growing in popularity. He ascribes the demand to new products, the need to make the most of space and the environmental benefits, which can include improving air quality and filtering water runoff. “People like the idea of a salad bar or a herb wall or something like that, rather than traditional pots or hanging gardens,'' he says. Vertical gardens can be as little as one or two square metres, or cover an entire wall or walls. http://smh.domain.com.au/design-and-living/plenty-of-positives-from-greens-on-the-side-20111118-1nlp1.html

  In addition to the green façade, some of the other features that led to 1 Bligh St receiving the six star accreditation are: Full building height naturally ventilated glass atrium providing a flow of fresh air and a sense of openness on every floor. First high-rise office tower in Australia to feature a double-skin, glass façade. The outer skin protects computer-controlled sun shades, shielding the double glazed curtain wall from the sun, whilst reflecting natural light into the building. Hybrid variable air volume (VAV) with a chilled beam air conditioning system. Tri-generation system that uses gas and solar energy to generate cooling, heating and electricity. The series of curved solar thermal collectors provide the energy to drive the cooling systems. Black water recycling is used amongst other things, to irrigate the feature green wall, rooftop terrace and plantings throughout the building. Also pictured here is a photo of one of my favourite green walls which I used to pass by on occasional Friday night on my way home from the Shinsaibashi district of Osaka, Japan. Not as blessed as Sydney with green spaces, the green here offers a much welcome break in the grey concrete landscape of Osaka.

  Links 1 Bligh Street: http://www.1bligh.com.au/overview.amx Architectus: http://www.architectus.com.au/projects/1-bligh-street-sydney Fytogreen: http://www.fytogreen.com.au/vertical_gardens/project_pages/Bligh-St1.htm Proctor Black Label: http://www.proctorgroup.com.au/proctorwrap-black-label/ Organic Building by Gaetano Pesce in Osaka http://inhabitat.com/organic-building-in-osaka-is-clad-with-plant-filled-pockets/
• 2011 Master Builders-Bankwest Winner by Andy Russell
  in Sustainability
  14 Dec 2011  | 0 Comments

  The iconic Albany Entertainment Centre wins excellence in construction award Congratulations to Doric and H. M. Metalcraft for being awarded the prestigious 2011 Master Builders-Bankwest Excellence in Construction Award. Doric took home four highly coveted awards in this years presentation, including; 2011 Best Regional Project Doric, Albany Entertainment Centre   Best Public Use Building Doric, Albany Entertainment Centre    Best Steel Construction Doric, Albany Entertainment Centre  Best State Government Building, Regional WA Doric, Albany Entertainment Centre    Subcontractor Award for Cladding H.M. Metalcraft, Albany Entertainment Centre The Albany Entertainment Centre development is one that Proctor Group Australia are very proud to be have been a part of. Proctor's Roofshield breathable membrane has been installed behind the impressive zinc cladding to prevent moisture ingress whilst still allowing water vapour to escape. The Proctor Roofshield membrane reduced the risk of mould growth and corrosion within the building structure, effectively allowing the building to breathe. For more information please click here.
• Critical points in rain screen details by Andy Russell
  in Sustainability, Condensation, Global Building Envelope Practices
  12 Dec 2011  | 0 Comments

  Rain screens, while common in Europe and North America, have begun to emerge to a greater degree in discussions within the Australian architecture and design community. A rain screen system offers numerous benefits in moisture-management and energy-efficiency but when I dig deep into conversations over the past couple years with local architects, façade consultants, suppliers and installers there is a huge variety of perceptions on what “rain screen” actually means and what the key design components are. I recently came across an excellent document jointly published by the Ontario Institute of Architects and available for free for download from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Page 26 includes an excellent checklist of 10 critical points in rain screen details. Provision for water shedding at the outer cladding, away from joints, with drips under any projections to prevent water collecting at the building face. A cavity of appropriate width to allow pressure equalization across the cladding system and prevent capillary movement (allow for construction tolerances!). A continuous and effective (for example, airtight to a maximum air leakage of 0.1 L/s/m2) air barrier within the backup wall. Drainage of the cavity through continuous flashings and weep openings, and proper management of drained water. Adequate venting of the cavity provided through properly located openings in the cladding (appropriate ratio achieved between vent area and leakage of air barrier and seals). Additional provision for drainage at the backup wall (located on the “warm” side of the insulation to avoid condensation problems). Effective compartmentalization of the cavity at each building face with airtight seals, and additionally across the width of the façade as required (refer to calculations). Sufficient rigidity and/or structural support of the air barrier to resist wind loads and limit deflection. Sufficient rigidity of the cladding to limit deflection and resist wind loads as required. Special attention paid to water-resistance and drainage at building edges and parapets (areas subject to heaviest rain-wetting and wind pressure differences, where pressure equalization may not be achievable) The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in the US outline the advantages of rain screen It neutralizes physical forces inducing water intrusion. It is a simple, forgiving system with built-in, multi-layered redundancy, and It has integrated drainage and ventilation that accelerates cavity moisture removal. Rain screens prevent or reduce moisture problems in exterior walls, including siding rot and peeling paint. Thermal shock, solar driven moisture effects, and pressure forces are diminished. In high moisture environments, the additional cost and complexity of Pressure Equalized Rain Screen construction may be cost effective over the long term. Rain screen designs do not increase the cost of drainable EIFS and brick veneer wall systems. To install the air space behind the cladding in most assemblies, however, costs for furring or other spacer materials cause costs to increase. The few cents per square foot spent on a rain screen offer exceptional value to design professionals seeking liability protection, builders wanting to avoid call backs, and homeowners looking for comfort. The Proctor range of vapour permeable membranes ProctorWrap High Tensile, Air Tight and Black Label can play an important part in meeting these requirements and provide a continuous air barrier. In particular the Black Label has been designed with high UV resistance for use in open joint rain screen applications. One area of debate is if a flexible membrane can be relied upon as the air barrier in pressure equalized rain screen design without a rigid substrate. Point 8 above advises that a “sufficient rigidity and/or structural support of the air barrier to resist wind loads and limit deflection,” is required. Studies by the Institute for Research and Construction in Canada report that the performance of the air barrier system affects the ability of the wall assembly to achieve pressure equalization across the rain screen, by reducing the flow of air through the wall assembly, and greatly contributing toward reducing the air pressure differential across the rain screen. “Under dynamic-pressure conditions, recent IRC studies indicate that excessive flexibility of the air barrier system will result in fluctuations in the volume of the air chamber compartment. These fluctuations adversely affect the potential for rapid pressure equalization across the rainscreen.” Chown, G.A., Poirier, G.F. and W.C. Brown, “Designing Exterior Walls According to the Rainscreen Principle”; Technology Update No. 17, Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council of Canada, 1998. http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/irc/doc/ctu-n34_eng.pdf It is clear that in order to attain the full benefits of rain screen then we need at the outset a clearer understanding of the function of the rains screen and what is required for the building envelop to function as such. Download the full CMHC document here: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/coedar/upload/The-Rain-Screen-Wall-System.pdf
• Final report for One Tonne Life released by Andy Russell
  in Sustainability, Global Building Envelope Practices
  13 Jul 2011  | 2 Comments

  In June when I was back in the UK I met with a former colleugue Mike Mapston of Building Envelope Evolution. They have been working with the Swedish company A-Hus Professional in the UK, one of the 3 main partners behind One Tonne Life Project.  Mike pointed me towards the one tonne life blog here. On the blog you can follow the efforts of the Lindell family in Swewden in their attempt to reach a target of a one tonne of carbon dioxide per person per year lifestyle. The final report has just been released and is available for download in English on the One Tonne Life website here.  What is the One Tonne Life Project "One Tonne Life” is a project in which A-hus, Vattenfall and the Volvo Car Corporation joined forces with industry partners ICA and Siemens to create a climate-smart household. Over a period of six months, the Lindell test family lived a climate-smart lifestyle with the aim of reducing their carbon dioxide emissions from 7.3 tonnes per year, which is roughly the average in Sweden, to a minimalistic one tonne. After an impressive final sprint, the Lindells crossed the finishing line at 1.5 tonnes. The Lindells exchanged their 1970s home and their almost 10-year-old cars for a newly built, climate-smart wooden house from A-hus and a battery-powered Volvo C30 electric. Vattenfall provided renewable electricity, new energy technology and energy coaching. ICA and Siemens were industry partners for food and household appliances respectively. Method development and calculation of the family’s carbon dioxide footprint took place in partnership with the Chalmers University of Technology and the City of Stockholm’s environment and Health Administration. Viewed per category, the Lindells managed to reduce their CO2 emissions from transport by almost 95 percent, from food by 80 percent, from accommodation by 60 percent and in other areas by 50 percent. All told this means their CO2 footprint shrank by 75 percent." www.onetonnelife.com.au

   

  
  
• BRE Innovation Park by Andy Russell
  in Sustainability, Global Building Envelope Practices
  7 Jul 2011  | 0 Comments

  In June on a visit back to the UK I got the opportunity to visit the BRE Innovation Park at the UK Building Research Establishment 20 miles north west of London. The BRE Innovation Park was launched in 2005 as a grouping of some of the world’s most sustainable zero and low carbon homes. By demonstrating the latest and most innovative developments in sustainable construction the aim was, and continues to be, to provide a catalyst for change within the UK construction sector encouraging the industry forward by embracing recognised best practice and innovating in response to new challenges. The park currently has ten sustainable houses (built to the UK Code for sustainable homes), a model community primary health centre of the future and a refurbished Victorian Terrace. The building are grouped around a community landscape.   Link to information on the UK code for sustainable homes Link to the BRE Innovation Park website
• Pathway to 2020 by Andy Russell
  in Sustainability
  17 May 2011  | 0 Comments

  Pathway to 2020 A comprehensive consultancy study by Pitt and Sherry commissioned by The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency is available for download here from the department's website. This is part of the national buildings framework aiming for consistency on how buildings are assessed and rated for energy efficiency and sets out a pathway for increasing minimum performance standards over time. The study entitled, "The Pathway to 2020 for Low-Energy, Low-Carbon Buildings in Australia: Indicative Stringency Study," considers achievable goals for reduced energy use in new buildings by 2020 and comes up with some ambitious targets. From the conclusions & recommendations: "Our overarching conclusion in this Report is that significant and ambitious energy/ greenhouse performance improvements, in the range of 45% - 55% reduction in energy use, are likely to be cost-effective for Australian buildings by 2020 relative to a BCA2009 base case, subject to formal benefit cost analysis.  Specifically: For residential buildings, between 37% (low scenario) and 56% (high scenario) reduction in average annual energy consumption, with a medium value of 44%; For commercial buildings, a reduction of between 27%-32% (low scenario) and 49%-52% (high scenario) in average annual energy consumption (per m2), with a medium range of 41% - 45%."  My worry is not that these goals are achievable from the perspective of delivery of real benefits, the availability of the technology required to achieve these goals, or the consumers desire to live in such properties paying lower utility bills. Is there the political will across all levels of government and the industry to bring about change? What do you think?
• It's freezing in winter and roasting in summer by Andy Russell
  in Sustainability
  11 May 2011  | 0 Comments

  There were a couple on-line post  in the Sydney Morning Herald last week that really stuck a chord. These were in response an article by Carolyn Boyd entitled, "Dreaming of the future." Thanks Mr Red10 and Mr Bob wherever you are. I think this reflects public sentiment    The 5 star homes Australia is currently selling are a joke. They're not nearly as efficient as homes built in Germany or Sweden 20 years ago. The 5/6 star rating homes are given by the builders aren't verified by anyone. My house was built after 2005 and it's got a water tank and a 5 star rating. The curtains move when it's windy outside! It's freezing in winter and roasting in summer. Being green doesn't have to cost very much. The Carbon Cops TV program proved this point. You can save thousands of dollars just by using some common sense. The problem in Australia is that we're lucky but we're not very bright. Red10 Sydney - May 03, 2011, 2:26PM The future is not about opening window or shutters automatically, no the future lies within modern building concepts to save money and the environment by improving and supporting low energy houses. I must admit (coming from Europe) the building standards here in Australia are inferior but funnily not cheaper. Insulation, triple glassing, heat exchange systems of fresh to used air, underground heat pumps just to mention a few technical improvements are unheard of and/or not available here. Instead, here in Sydney/Australia you freeze in the winter and sweat in the summer, and if you want to avoid that you are punished with a tremendous electricity bill. I lived in Germany and normally didn't have to heat in the winter or cool down my house in the summer, the only expense I had was the gas bill of about 100 Euro/year for the gas powered back-up system in extreme winter conditions. And the best of all, building to such standards was state-aided by tax incentives. By the way this was 10 years ago!! Bob | Sydney - May 03, 2011, 4:32PM
• Sustainable Building: does it measure up? by Andy Russell
  in Sustainability, Condensation, Seminars & Events
  11 May 2011  | 1 Comment

  Looking forward to the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA) from 19 - 20 May 2011 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.  The 2-day conference will examine the tools, processes and products enhancing sustainability and will be putting measurement under the microscope. Some of the headline speakers include The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change - What's on the horizon for energy efficiency? Adam Bandt MP, Federal Member for Melbourne, Australian Greens, A Sustainable Future – What do we need to do? Sam Mostyn, Director, Institute for Sustainable Solutions, University of Sydney - What are the sustainable solutions – is private practice a solution? Tone Wheeler, Director, Environa Studio - The third wave of sustainability Conference website is here... We also have a display booth and I am presenting one of the workshops on Friday afternoon on the subject of controlling condensation.  “Controlling Condensation in Buildings, and the forthcoming ABCB Condensation Handbook” The drive for energy efficient buildings is leading to improved levels of air tightness and insulation, thus creating a greater differential between the interior and exterior environments. Failure to consider the building envelope holistically had resulted in an increase in the number and severity of condensation problems as some common design practices contradict basic laws of building physics. ABSA members are uniquely placed to pick up on potential issues at the design stage and ensure that our buildings do not suffer the condensation problems experienced overseas and increasing in all climates of Australia. Later this year, the ABCB will publish a condensation handbook highlighting the dangers associated with condensation and measures to minimise the risk of future problems. This presentation through the use of case studies, theory and experience illustrates what is going wrong and how it can be avoided with a just a basic understanding of the functions, performance and appropriate detailing of different types of sarking, insulation and ventilation.