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The concept was unveiled at GHD's one-day forum on sustainability, titled "Our Planet - Leaving a Legacy" on 21 September. The energy and resource-efficient building concept, appropriately called Zero, is "located" at Melbourne's busy Richmond Station on the corner of Swan Street and Punt Road. The overarching goal of the project was to develop a concept that achieves zero net annual external power consumption, which equates to zero operating C02 emissions. The design team first benchmarked current best-practice building design worldwide, then set stringent targets that exceed these in terms of energy and resource efficiency. "Buildings contribute substantially to the world’s emissions, so we set out to design a building that generates zero net operating CO2 emissions,” said GHD’s Martin Tuktens. “This required employment of every possible means of on-site renewable energy generation. However, initial cost studies, including energy generation data and costs, project payback periods without carbon taxes of around 25-30 years." Energy efficiency Zero runs on energy generated on-site using only renewable sources. It does not utilise carbon offsetting, because offsetting does not fundamentally improve the global CO2 load. The design team approached the challenge by first finding technical solutions to reach the stringent goals, and then estimating the economic implications. They conclude that some additional costs would be required in order to reach the stringent project targets. Zero minimises greenhouse gas emissions through utilization of solar and wind technologies, coupled with provision of energy-efficient systems such as Combined Heat and Power Solar (CHAPS), labyrinth, chilled beams, solar absorption chillers, phase change materials, hydronic heating, a double façade, and heat recovery. It also incorporates emerging technologies such as algae-based C02 systems to remove C02 from the building interior by passing gases through an algae-filled photobioreactor. The design reaches a predicted 5-star Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR), without the purchase of additional green power. The design was evaluated according to the Green Star environmental rating system, a framework developed by the Green Council of Australia as a comprehensive, national, voluntary environmental rating scheme that evaluates the environmental design and achievements of buildings. Materials Building materials are also in keeping with Zero’s energy- and resource-efficiency goal. The project utilizes reused materials like bricks, windows, cladding, pre-cast concrete panels, flooring and doors totalling at least 2% of the project’s contract value. The design incorporates 20% recycled aggregate, along with industrial waste product, for 60% in-situ concrete, 40% pre-case concrete and 30% stressed concrete to minimise embodied energy and resource depletion. At least 90% of the Net Lettable Area (NLA) consists of shell and core, with no ceilings, floor coverings, tenancy lighting systems or partition walls. Water Water efficiency is paramount in Zero’s design, and all water fixtures and fittings are 5-star Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS). The design incorporates black water, grey water and rainwater systems together with stormwater and sewer mining to reduce the consumption of potable water and minimise discharge to the municipal sewage system. Irrigation water for landscaping is sourced from on-site rainwater retention and water mining systems. Provision of automatic timers and moisture sensor controls optimises landscaping water usage, and reclaimed water is used in fire sprinkler tests. Tenants contribute to efficiency efforts The Zero concept also engages building occupants in energy-efficiency efforts, whilst aiming for maximum occupant comfort. At least 80% of Zero’s NLA has direct views to either outdoor or atrium green spaces, providing a visual connection to the environment. Though the design does not incorporate carparking, it provides good public transport connections as well as showers and change rooms for occupants who walk or cycle to work. Displays throughout the building enable occupants to see energy and water consumption, raising awareness of efficient usage. Major water users are provided with water meters linked to the Building Management System to facilitate detection of leaks and monitoring of water consumption. According to GHD, designing a building with zero net operating C02 emissions can be achieved with appropriate investment in additional services. "Our vision is that Project Zero can contribute to global efforts focused on development of sustainable buildings, such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s net-zero buildings initiative," said Tuktens. "Creativity is what we need for the biggest challenge facing the planet today." Zero was unveiled at GHD’s OUR PLANET – LEAVING A LEGACY sustainability forum in Melbourne on 21 September. The event attracted some 1,100 delegates from Federal, State and Local Government, private enterprise, infrastructure owners and operators, the professions, financiers, academia and research institutes. Speakers included The Honourable Al Gore, The Honourable Peter Garrett and Professor Tim Flannery, providing a unique opportunity for leaders to collaborate on finding solutions for a changing world.
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