The Building Economist - June 2014 - The Pink Issue

THE JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS

THE PINK ISSUE JUNE 2014

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THE

BUILDING ECONOMIST

16 PAUL EDWARDS – A CHAMPION 20 FOR BETTER BUILDINGS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CYCLE: 24 FROM CRADLE TO CRADLE CLIMATE CHALLENGE FOR A SUSTAINABLE OUTCOME

10

Northern Territory’s Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Education – a facility with a sustainable focus, but not without it’s own challenges.

WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN?

What will our cities look like in 2020?

What about 2030? Is 2050 the year that we can say that Australia is truly sustainable? BE explores the ideas behind the plans and when we will know if it is a success.

Managing Editor Jenna Harfield Executive Editor Emma Marshall Art Director Julian Brown - Nose to Tail Chief Executive Officer Michael Manikas

manager of sustainability and cochair of Sydney’s Better Buildings Partnership.

For product manufacturers in search of true sustainability, there is only one concept to embrace.

03 06 08 28 REGULARS 30 32 JUN 2014

ITHENQUESTSIGFORHTSUSTAINABLE:

We talk to Mirvac’s group general

CONTENTS

SNAP SHOT

FROM THE CEO

NUTS & BOLTS

QS KIT

SOCIAL

BUILDING COST INDEX

Contributions Articles relevant to construction economics and related subjects, pictorial material, letters etc are welcome. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited material. All contributions should be addressed to the editor: Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, National Office, Level 6, 65 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

The Institute does not, as a body, hold itself responsible for statements made and opinions expressed in this Journal.

All rights of translation and reproduction are reserved.

Tel: (02) 9262 1822 Fax: (02) 9279 1400 Email: editor@buildingeconomist.com.au www.buildingeconomist.com.au

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Circulation 1000 print copies plus an online readership of over 18,000 and growing General and Advertising Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, National Office, Level 6, 65 York Street,Sydney NSW 2000.

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ISSN 0007-3431 Designed and printed for the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (ACN 008 485 809) by Nose to Tail Pty Ltd

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 3

SNAPSHOT

We always knew you were valuable, now we want to tell the world.

Nominations are now open for 2014 Infinite Value Awards and entry is easier than ever before.

Entries are now open in the following Infinite Value Award Categories: “I was greatly honoured to win the Lend Lease Professional of the Year Award in 2013. For me, it was less about personal recognition but more about the importance of our profession’s contribution to the Built Environment.

Future Leader

Lifetime Contribution

QS Advocacy MBM Research and Teaching

Innovation Project

It’s been professionally gratifying to hear our colleagues and industry peers recognise our achievements.”

Stephen Ballesty Women in Construction

To enter visit

Coverforce Architectural Excellence

Engineering Excellence

Government Wood Solutions Project Green Project

4 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

www.infinitevalueawards.com

Director | Head of Advisory Director | Research & Development Rider Levett Bucknall

SNAPSHOT IN BRIEF

GREEN STAR FOR WOLLONGONG

Wollongong City Council’s Administration Building is set to achieve one of Australia’s first Green Star ratings for an existing building. Council has registered its 13-storey office building for a Green Star – Performance rating, and will gain a holistic assessment of the building against best practice benchmarks for energy, water and resource efficiency and broader environmental sustainability.

Over the past 10 years, Council has implemented a range of energy and water upgrades within the building. These upgrades include the installation of rainwater harvesting (70 kL), dual flush toilets, low water urinals, low flow taps and sensor taps in public areas, a new heating ventilation and air-conditioning system, heat reflective blinds and lighting upgrades. These initiatives have reduced energy consumption by around 35 percent and water consumption by around 50 percent over the 2008/09 baseline year.

NSW GREEN SQUARE DEVELOPMENT DETAILS RELEASED Details of a mixed-use, multi-

UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND ACHIEVES GREEN STAR RATING

residential complex that will act as the gateway to Australia’s largest urban renewal project, have been released. Designed by Koichi Takada Architects, the 20-storey tower will be formed by two distinctive, continuing

The University of Queensland’s Global Change Institute building has become the state’s

loops – the public and the residential

third educational facility to achieve a 6 Star Green Star – Educational Design v1 rating

loop – connected by garden terraces.

from the Green Building Council of Australia.

The first was designed to activate the streetscape next to the Green Square

The $32 million ‘Living Building’ was a net zero-energy carbon-neutral workplace with

Plaza by permitting sunlight, while the

natural ventilation, on-site solar panels and rainwater storage to service amenities. The

second loop will provide residents with

building design and delivery has been a collaborative process involving the University’s

essential amenities and an open space

Property and Facilities Division, the Global Change Institute and HASSELL architects, and

to allow sun and breezes into the public

is the project’s second accolade after it was ranked 34th in a list of the world’s 50 most

loop.

impressive environmentally friendly university buildings.

The $8 billion Green Square project aims to renovate a former industrial

NEW STUDY INTO BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE OFFICES

280-hectare southern precinct located 3.5 kilometres from Sydney city centre into a vibrant and sustainable urban environment. The development’s area

The World Green Building Council (WGBC) is conducting a new report to define and

includes the suburbs of Beaconsfield

measure health and productivity outcomes from green office interiors, which aims to

and Zetland, and parts of Rosebery,

add financial value to sustainable office buildings. The WGBC’s objective is to establish a

Alexandria and Waterloo.

method for capturing the benefits of sustainable office buildings and identifying metrics that will support investment in greener buildings.

The new report will create a list of best practices for green building features that add financial benefits to office buildings and is expected to be launched by mid-2014.

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 5

SNAPSHOT

WIND POWER HITS RECORD HIGH Energy consultancy Pitt & Sherry has announced that wind power’s contribution to Australia’s electricity market has reached record breaking levels of 4.6 percent. It is believed that the electricity generation by wind power has helped to compensate for the slack of dwindling usage of conventional fossil fuels.

Coal usage has fallen to a record low of 73.8 percent which has resulted in a fall of 3.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions compared to the previous year – equivalent to a reduction of approximately 5.8 million tonnes.

MUSEUM OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA GAINS MOMENTUM

HAMBURG EUROPE’S NEXT SMART CITY?

More than 4.5 million artifacts and specimens will soon have a

The German city of Hamburg has unveiled plans to transform

new home with the Western Australian government investing

itself into Europe’s next “smart city” after signing a Memorandum

$21 million to start the upgrade of Welshpool Collections and

of Understanding with US communications giant Cisco.

Research Centres.

The ambitious plans include radically enhancing the networking Part of the overall $430 million investment, the new Museum of

and connectivity systems in the German commercial hub to

Western Australia building will be designed to integrate with the

improve the functionality and operations within the city. Other

existing heritage buildings, creating a modern and contemporary

initiatives to improve its sustainability and efficiency include

museum complex.

the introduction of smart street lighting, a smart traffic system for optimising traffic movement, and a virtual citizen services system which is capable of providing administrative services via remote video kiosks.

RMIT’S $98 MILLION NEW SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT LAUNCHED A new ambitious plan has been unveiled by Melbourne’s RMIT

across three of its campuses in the Victorian capital, and is believed

University with the aim of transforming its campus buildings into

to be the largest and most ambitious of its kind in the southern

models of sustainability and efficiency.

hemisphere. It will target a reduction in electricity consumption by 239 million kilowatts over an eight-year period, which translates into

The project envisages dramatic cuts to energy and water consumption as well as greenhouse gas emissions at 90 buildings

6 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

a 30,000 decreases in greenhouse gas emissions.

navigate • select • succeed Conduit Recruitment The Preferred Choice Conduit Recruitment are the preferred recruitment agency for the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. In partnership with them we provide: • Recruitment services to builders, consultants and developers – see our website for our sectors and strengths • Advice on recruitment matters and HR solutions within the construction industry • Salary surveys • Sponsorship of various events including AIQS Annual Dinners, AIQS CPD Events, Excellence in Construction Awards, PIF Yacht Regattas, Young Engineers Awards and many others • Seminars on relevent industry issues such as OH&S, Staff Retention, Recruitment Strategies, Emerging Trends, Economic Forecasts, Workplace Relations, Staff Contract Law, etc

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Call: 02 9929 7224 THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 7 recruitment@conduitgroup.com.au

FROM THE CEO

A TRIBUTE TO MELINDA KIM MANIKAS 22 JUNE 1975 – 7 MAY 2014 WRITTEN BY MICHAEL MANIKAS, CEO

TRADITIONALLY THE “GREEN” ISSUE, THIS JUNE WE HAVE TURNED OUR PAGES PINK IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION AND IN HONOUR OF THE MUCH LOVED WIFE OF OUR CEO MICHAEL MANIKAS. MELINDA KIM MANIKAS RECENTLY LOST HER THREE YEAR BATTLE WITH CANCER BUT WILL NEVER LOSE HER PLACE IN OUR MEMORIES AND HEARTS.

Over my past 20 years of involvement with the AIQS many of my colleagues and members have met my late wife Melinda at various functions and meetings.

She was loved by many members and their partners and she would look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones along my journey with the AIQS. Some of these AIQS friends were aware of the battle she was staging over the past three and half years but almost all of them did not believe it as she always made an effort to look good and socialize with the members and her friends.

I would like to share with you a short version of her life as was reflected in her Eulogy at her recent funeral service.

I am hoping by sharing our story I can raise awareness amongst our members and the public on this terrible disease.

Melinda Kim Mustac was born at Canterbury hospital on 22nd June 1975. Her proud parents Ivan and Veronika Mustac were two immigrants from Croatia who had settled in Belfield, NSW where Melinda would spend her first 25 years.

Melinda attended the local catholic school, St Michael’s Primary School, where she excelled in her studies topping the class almost every year. She also began learning music at a young age and soon became the regular organist at the St Michael’s Catholic Church.

Melinda then went to MLC School where she would go on to meet some of her lifelong friends. We had been to many birthdays, weddings and parties of mutual friends but had never uttered a word to each other. It wasn’t until the 18th birthday party of her friend that I finally spoke to Melinda and started to get to know her.

Once Melinda graduated from UTS she then entered the world of chartered accounting and then just before our wedding in 2000 Melinda started working at Westpac, which she continued for 10 years until she went on maternity leave in 2010.

When Melinda was approximately 35 weeks pregnant we went to the obstetrician for one of the final regular check-ups when a lump was detected in her right breast and armpit. On the 1st December 2010 our worst fears were confirmed. Melinda had been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer which had spread to her lymph nodes.

A week later Melinda was induced and gave birth naturally to a very healthy and happy beautiful girl who we named Victoria. Unfortunately Melinda was unable to enjoy life as a new mother and had to go in for surgery a week later to have the tumours removed.

This then led to an eighteen week regime of intensive chemotherapy followed by six weeks of radiation treatment. Finally towards the end of 2011 Melinda was cancer free and able to start to enjoy her new life with her daughter.

In 2012 Melinda was approached to run as a candidate for the Balmain ward of Leichhardt Council. Melinda took this challenge as she would any other and gave it 100% of her time. She pushed the pram around the electorate several times doing letter box drops and spent every weekend campaigning in the hope of being elected and making her parents proud.

8 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

On 8th September she was elected as the second of three councilors with a primary vote just 72 votes shy of first place.

This was a huge achievement for a truly committed and passionate candidate that really cared about making Balmain a better place to live for all residents.

Just three months after being elected she had a CT scan done of her back for a suspected bulging disc that had been troubling her ever since the election campaign. On 1st December, exactly two years to the day of her initial diagnosis, it was confirmed that the cancer had returned, but this time in her bones. She then had to undergo further radiation treatment. Then in May 2013 we got the biggest shock of our lives when a scan had confirmed that the cancer had now moved onto her liver. This called for drastic action as the doctors in Australia gave her six months to live.

Google became my best friend as I scoured the internet and medical journals in the hope of slowing down the progression in the liver and the rest of her body. It was then that we decided to head to the Black Forest in Germany to seek personalised intensive treatment.

Melinda made four trips to Germany last year receiving aggressive treatments in brave attempts to beat this terrible disease. On the most recent trip Melinda was painfully separated from our daughter and myself for two months to try and give the fight one last push. When I received the call from the clinic in April to come over and help as she was not doing so well I realised she was in serious trouble. When I arrived I did everything to keep her positive but also get her back home as soon as possible.

On Saturday 26th April we returned to Sydney accompanied by one of the doctors from Germany and on Monday 28th April Melinda was admitted to hospital. She was fighting to the end and desperately wanted another course of treatment prior to going home at the end of that week.

She quickly deteriorated and I could see she was nearing the end.

I told her how wonderful she had been as a wife and mother and what a fight she had put up against the disease. I then gave her a kiss and said my goodbyes. At 5.15am on 7th may 2014 Melinda’s pain had finally ended and she was now at peace with a smile on her face.

her shoes. Melinda was never a person to do things halfway.

Whether it was organising one of Victoria’s birthday parties, or a task at work or running for local government she would give it her all and make sure it was done properly.

I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of emotion and beautiful messages our family have received in recent weeks, which are testament to what a wonderful spirit Melinda really was. It was counted that around 600 people were in attendance when we lay Melinda to rest on Tuesday 13th May 2014. Friends, relatives and colleagues were lined outside the door of the church and down the street to pay their respects to a woman who was elegant, strong and so full of life right until the very end.

NSW Parliament even paid tribute to Melinda on the day of her funeral. Member for Balmain, Jamie Parker MP said “She was an energetic, vivacious and stylish woman and she brought a special kind of pizzazz to politics in Leichhardt Council”.

I write this personal account in honour of my beautiful wife and as a tribute to all those who have been affected by this horrendous disease. I also want to remember Richard Guillergan, the cherished husband of our Office Manager, Anabel Guillergan, and father to Mia. Richard lost his fight in December 2013 after bravely battling cancer for 18 months with Anabel at his side.

Melinda, you may be gone from this world but you will never be forgotten by the hundreds and thousands of people you have met or touched in your short 38 years. As our health professionals continue to search for a cure for cancer I urge you to support the cause in whatever way you can.

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Melinda Manikas an “In Memory” page has been set up to make online donations. This can be found by going to www.nbcf.org.au then click on “Get Involved” and then “In Memory” and search for the page listed under her name.

To find out how you can help visit www.nbcf.org.au or www.cancer.org.au

Melinda struggled to get out of bed every day for three years and every time that we thought things had settled down she would be knocked down with news that it has spread even further again.

Melinda would then pick herself up again and get out there again with Victoria and try to be the best mother she could under the circumstances.

Melinda was always a fighter. She was an independent woman who was stylish and loved going out and having a good time with family and friends. She loved nice clothes and especially loved

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 9

NUTS AND BOLTS

INTERNET - USERS VS WORLD POP.

2020 FORECASTS of aiming for green by 2020, Nuts and Bolts looks at what else we can

BILLION

To compliment our feature article

8

POPULATION

6 4

USERS

2

expect by then.

0

2010

2015

2020

WORLD POPULATION MAKE UP WESTERN EUROPE

EASTERN EUROPE

ASIA

56%

7%

5%

WESTERN HEMISPHERE 13%

AFRICA 16%

MIDDLE EAST

3% 10 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

MOBILE CONNECTED DEVICES

GREEN JOBS

MILLION

12

PHONES

8

4

USERS

350,000

300,000

0 2012

2020 250,000

RANK SHIFT IN GDP

200,000

US

2010 – #1 // 2020 – #2

150,000

CHINA

2010 – #2 // 2020 – #1

100,000

JAPAN

2010 – #3 // 2020 – #4

50,000

INDIA

2010 – #4 // 2020 – #3

GERMANY

2010 – #5 // 2020 – #6

2007 2009

2011 2013 2015 2017 2019

Green Building

Energy Infrastructure

Residential Energy Auditing

Commmercial Energy Auditing

Renewable Energy

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 11

INSIGHT

THE QUEST FOR SUSTAINABLE: WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN? EVERYONE IS STRIVING FOR A ‘SUSTAINABLE FUTURE’, EVERY CITY HAS A PLAN, EVERY COUNCIL HAS A VISION. AROUND THE WORLD, THERE ARE GOVERNMENTS AND BUSINESSES WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE LIVEABLE GREEN TOWNS, CITIES AND COUNTRIES. THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT YEARS IN MIND – 2020, 2030, 2050, BUT WHEN, IF EVER, WILL THE WORLD BE TRULY SUSTAINABLE? BE EXPLORES THE IDEAS BEHIND THE PLANS AND WHEN WE WILL KNOW IF IT IS A SUCCESS. 12 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

INSIGHT

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 13

INSIGHT

“THE COMMUNITY TOLD US THEY WANTED SYDNEY TO BE GREEN, GLOBAL AND CONNECTED. NINETYSEVEN PER CENT OF PEOPLE TOLD US THEY WANTED SIGNIFICANT ACTION ON GLOBAL WARMING,” What will our cities look like in 2020? What about 2030? Is 2050

Asking more than 35,000 residents; experts, university teachers

the year that we can say that Australia is truly sustainable?

and researchers, business owners, and industry leaders what

When you think sustainable, the world’s cities tend to have a bad reputation. High density population, tall buildings, limited green spaces, and high levels of traffic do not shout “green”.

Convenience often overtakes the needs of our environment.

However, everywhere you look now, different cities around the world are on a quest to change the way we live, work and grow, and all of them want to achieve it by a certain year. Look around and you will see plans for 2020, 2030 and beyond.

Canada’s city of Vancouver has an action plan to be the greenest city by 2020 and an aim to be “a global leader in addressing climate change”, but it is not as simple as creating a plan and getting results. In the words of Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Team “it’s up to everyone to do their part, to rethink, re-evaluate and re-imagine the way Vancouver works and how we lead our lives.”

they imagined life in 2020 to be helped form the Greenest City 2020 Action Plan and the realistic and measurable strategies and goals all have the year 2020 in their sights.

As part of the plan, green building plays a central role. Currently, 55 per cent of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions come from electricity and natural gas that buildings use, but its regulations for new buildings are some of the greenest of any jurisdiction in North America. Now, 2020 stands as the year when all buildings constructed will be expected to be carbon neutral in operation.

A lofty ambition? Maybe, but impressively the Council has already approved a new version of the Vancouver Building Bylaws which states that new one and two family homes will need to meet increased energy-efficiency requirements: improved insulation, air-tightness, and high efficiency heating systems. Also, buildings under renovation will need energy audits and minor upgrades.

14 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

INSIGHT

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 15

INSIGHT

Earlier this year, it was reported that Vancouver is on track to

“The year 2030 was chosen to provide the City a 20-year

meet many of its targets. Water consumption has declined by

framework for our goals to make significant strides in carbon

20 per cent, more people are walking or biking and the number

emission reduction.”

of hazardous air quality alerts has declined by 41 per cent.

Hundreds of garden plots have been created, and thousands of trees planted, but on the thorny issue of greenhouse gas emissions, the levels have only declined by four per cent (The Vancouver Sun, February 2014).

However, when you delve a little deeper, 2020 is just a “mediumterm” target. It is not an end point, which on face value it seems to be, rather a continuing path towards the long-term goal of 2050.

Whilst the City of Sydney believes that the targets are achievable by 2030, they realise they need State and Federal Government support to break down the barriers that can stop them from reaching their goals.

Working in the now to change the way we work, live and build is the way to create our sustainable future. As the UN World Commission on the Environment and Development states, “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future

So is 2020 too soon to really create the ‘sustainable future’ we all seem to crave?

Closer to home, Sydney has placed 2030 firmly in its sights.

Resulting after the largest ever community consultation in 2007, with thousands of Sydney residents and businesses asked about what kind of city Sydney should be, the City of Sydney’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 continues to guide their work today.

“The community told us they wanted Sydney to be green, global and connected. Ninety-seven per cent of people told us they wanted significant action on global warming,” explains a City of Sydney spokesperson.

“We have reached a critical decade in the battle against the devastating effects of climate change. All levels of government, the big end of town, and the community all need to work

generations to meet their own needs.”

It is essential that our cities look towards the future and know what it needs to look like and how it needs to work, but in the quest to be the most sustainable and chasing the dream of being a world leading city, are the world’s governments throwing away good money.

The former Chief Economist for the World Bank, Sir Nicholas Stern, has estimated that failure to tackle the climate crisis could cost the global economy US$6.6 trillion a year. The world can’t afford to sit still and not plan for the future.

Only part of Sydney’s 2030 plan - replacing 6,448 conventional lights with new energy-efficient LED street lights over a three year period, therefore reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 45 per cent – is costing $7 million.

together to safeguard the future of our planet for our children,

The overall costs for Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Plan

and their children.

have not been released but since April 2012 the city’s “Greenest

In response, an ambitious long-term target of reducing Sydney’s carbon emissions by 70 per cent by 2030 has been set. So why 2030?

16 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

City Fund” has disbursed more than US$933,000 between 286 projects – from major community programs, small neighbourhood projects and youth-directed projects.

INSIGHT

The president and CEO of the Vancouver Foundation, Kevin McCort, has said that the fund annually hands out up to US$470,000 in grants, ranging from a few hundred dollars for small neighbourhood projects to as much as US$50,000 for larger community-based projects operated by societies.

Whilst the money going out mounts up, the long term savings can’t be ignored. Going green in our cities, whether by 2020, 2030 or 2050, is driving construction costs down, creating new “green” jobs and saving money to run the new homes and office buildings. In a time when energy prices are going up, this is a benefit we need.

The years thrown around are just targets but does it really matter when we are “green”? In the quest for sustainability, maybe it is really about the journey, rather than the destination.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT OUR CITIES LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE AND KNOW WHAT IT NEEDS TO LOOK LIKE AND HOW IT NEEDS TO WORK, BUT IN THE QUEST TO BE THE MOST SUSTAINABLE AND CHASING THE DREAM OF BEING A WORLD LEADING CITY, ARE THE WORLD’S GOVERNMENTS THROWING AWAY GOOD MONEY.

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 17

CLIMATE CHALLENGE FOR A SUSTAINABLE OUTCOME ALREADY BUILDING WITH A SOCIAL CONSCIOUS, THE TEAM BEHIND THE NORTHERN TERRITORY’S AUSTR ALIAN CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION ALSO CREATED A FACILITY WITH A SUSTAINABLE FOCUS. NOW WITH A GREEN STAR R ATING, THE PROJECT STANDS AS AN EXAMPLE THAT BUILDING GREEN IS POSSIBLE WHEREVER YOU ARE. BE DISCOVERS THE CHALLENGES OF ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE OUTCOMES IN TROPICAL CLIMATES AND HOW BARRIERS CAN BE OVERCOME.

18 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Education (ACIKE).

On 26th April 2013, then Prime Minister Julia Gillard opened a

according to Ken Suter from Charles Darwin University this was the

new, state-of-the-art learning hub in the Northern Territory. With

acknowledgement the building deserved.

an aspiration to be internationally renowned for excellence and results in teaching and learning programs, community engagement

“All our buildings are constructed under a regime of sustainability

and research endeavours, the Australian Centre for Indigenous

[and] ACIKE is a special building, hence the requirement to obtain a

Knowledge and Education (ACIKE) had to be a special building.

recognised rating,” says Ken.

The building recently achieved a 4 Star Green Star – Education

Designed to deliver interactive learning on campus and online;

Design v1 rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, and

incorporating five state of the art audio visual and IT enabled

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 19

eStudios for teaching and learning, shared teaching spaces

and water make up to the large central water feature to achieve a

for group and tutorial work, an informal lounge for Indigenous

near as possible water neutral scenario. The cost implications of

students with available IT for private and group study, a gallery

this tank prohibited it from the project. As a result a scaled down

and performance spaces to showcase indigenous activities and

storage system of 40KL was installed resulting in a loss of Green

art, and office space for the co-location of Indigenous research

Star points,” explains Owen.

groups, academics and teaching, staff, the project was not without challenges – not to mention the humid climate, the biggest

Green Star credits for energy also proved to be elusive for the

challenge of all.

ACIKE team, with just six out of a possible 29 awarded.

“Green Star does not recognize some tropical climate issues and

“The relatively small size of the project and the multiple building

this impacts the rating,” says Ken. “You can’t underestimate the

approach to the design resulted in a large surface area to volume

complexity of the task and the effort required especially from the

ratio. This had a negative effect on targeted energy consumption

contractors involved.”

reductions with more surface area for heat penetration into the building increasing energy loads on the cooling systems,”

Irwin consult’s Project Manager and ESD Consultant, Owen Tyson,

adds Owen.

was the Green Star Accredited Professional on the project, and agrees that the climate presented one of the biggest challenges

However, existing systems did offer some great environmental

when aiming for Green Star points.

benefits to the project.

“IN THE TROPICS, THE TEMPTATION TO REDUCE WATER CONSUMPTION THROUGH CAPTURE AND STOR AGE OF R AIN WATER HAD TO BE BALANCED WITH THE PR ACTICALITIES OF STORING SUFFICIENT TROPICAL RUNOFF TO LAST THE DUR ATION OF THE SIX MONTH DRY SEASON.”

“In the tropics, the temptation to reduce water consumption

According to Owen, Charles Darwin University’s large centralised

through capture and storage of rain water had to be balanced with

chilled water reticulation system and thermal storage tank,

the practicalities of storing sufficient tropical runoff to last the

designed to service the campus mechanical air-conditioning

duration of the six month dry season.”

systems, helped them achieve valuable Green Star credits.

In fact, the ACIKE building only achieved 5 out of a possible 13

“These systems had been established on the campus many years

points available in the water category.

prior to the construction of ACIKE, however the foresight to provide sufficient capacity in the thermal storage tank to allow for the

“It was calculated that a 200KL tank was required to support tree

expansion of the chilled water network, ensured that ACIKE could

irrigation, toilet flushing during the wet season only (Nov - Mar)

achieve its sustainability targets.”

20 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

“...THIS BUILDING DEMONSTR ATES TRUE LEADERSHIP AND IS A SUSTAINABLE SHOWCASE OF TROPICAL DESIGN THAT WILL ATTR ACT INTEREST AND INSPIRE OTHERS NOT JUST IN AUSTR ALIA, BUT AROUND THE REGION.”

Despite the ups and downs and challenges, the Green Building

space for Indigenous men and women, as well as accommodation

Council is quick to congratulate the team behind the project and

for approximately 30 students and a Mobile Academic Learning

believes that it showcases that building green is possible in any

Unit (MALU) for remote access and extended service delivery by

state and in any climate.

lecturers.

“The project underscores that sustainable design is just as

Established to create opportunities to build social, human and

achievable in the top end as it is in the southern states of Australia.

economic identity for Indigenous people across Australia, the

Clever use of technology – such as set-point air-conditioning and

feedback from staff and students has been very positive and

motion triggered, low-energy lighting – is combined with smart,

everyone enjoys being in the complex.

solar passive design, which takes advantage of the surrounding environment. Water captured from the building’s air-conditioning

Achieving a 4 Star Green Star – Education v1 rating for the

system is reused in the outdoor ponds, waterfall and garden, and

Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Education has not

rainwater is recycled in the building’s toilet facility and garden.

been easy but lessons have been learnt along the way.

This building demonstrates true leadership and is a sustainable showcase of tropical design that will attract interest and inspire

“Design consultants experienced with the climatic conditions and

others not just in Australia, but around the region,” says Romilly

construction expertise of the projects region along with Green

Madew, Chief Executive, Green Building Council of Australia.

Star design experience must be used to achieve the project’s sustainability targets,” advises Owen.

The respect and recognition of the conditions of the Northern Territory is never far away in this project. Ken Suter’s favourite part

ACIKE now stands as a beacon of what is possible in the Northern

is the “dramatic landscaping and water features which depict the

Territory – especially with a team that understands and rises to the

outback of Central and Northern Australia.”

challenges.

The precinct maximizes the opportunities for open-air meeting spaces, use of natural ventilation and light, recycling of water and waste and has eco-friendly furniture and fittings throughout.

The precinct also provides specific and separate recreational

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 21

PAUL EDWARDS – A CHAMPION FOR BETTER BUILDINGS

BY LYN NE B L U N D EL L

PAU L E DWAR D S H AS A PAS S ION FO R C R E AT I N G B E T TER BUIL D IN G S – GREENER, HE A LT H I E R AN D MORE C OS T EFFECTI VE O N E S ; AN D , A S MIRVAC ’ S GROUP GE N ER A L M A N AGER OF S U S TAIN A BI LI TY A N D C O - C H AIR OF SYD N EY ’ S BET TER BU IL D I NG S PARTN ERS H IP ( BBP ) , HE HA S A C H AL L E N G I N G MAN DATE TO DO JUST THAT. It is a task he says excites him. Taking up the role at Mirvac in

He believes the BBP both here and in the UK have great potential to

September last year and that of BBP chair soon after, Edwards

drive change in the property industry.

brought with him a wealth of experience from the property industry in the UK, including chair of the UK BBP and head of sustainability

“The key principles are the same – sharing knowledge to enhance

for retail property owner Hammerson.

the performance of buildings. We have like-minded building owners in the same room all aiming for a common approach,” says Edwards.

It is not Edwards’ first time in Australia. A mechanical engineer by training, he first worked here in the 1990s and has been involved in

“It is a very effective public private partnership – local government

the creation of some of our most iconic green buildings, including

working with building owners. If government is really committed to

30 The Bond, Australia’s first 5 Star Green Star building.

getting the property industry to change it must lead by example.”

22 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

BBP AIMS TO TRANSFORM EXISTING BUILDINGS

represents more than 50 per cent of the office floor space across Sydney’s CBD. In the past year BBP members achieved a collective

The UK BBP, launched in 2007, is a collaboration of the country’s

31 per cent reduction in emissions, saving $25 million annually in

leading commercial property owners and the Greater London

energy costs.

Council. The aim is to develop solutions for improving the sustainability of London’s existing building stock and to reduce

“The BBP provides a great opportunity for property owners

carbon emissions.

and for government. It drives us to be more open and transparent about how well our buildings are performing and

The Sydney BBP, launched in 2011 by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover

it provides a forum for engaging the whole industry in this,”

Moore and some of Australia’s largest building owners, is modelled

says Edwards.

on the UK scheme and a similar one in Toronto. The partnership

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 23

CREATING A COMMON LANGUAGE

Building owners must address issues such as supply chain and

During his watch at the BBP in Sydney he would like to see a

procurement.

common language developed for landlords and tenants to discuss sustainable goals and outcomes.

“Again, waste is a great example. We are only as good as the people who take our waste away. They need our help in creating streams

“It’s about communication – how do we communicate effectively to

to separate the waste so we have to work closely with them to do

get tenants involved in reducing waste, water and energy? We need

this,” says Edwards.

to do this as building owners because we can’t achieve these things alone,” Edwards says.

Edwards’ proudest achievement in the UK was getting retailer

“FOR A COMPANY LIKE MIRVAC WE UNDERSTAND CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING AND KNOW IT MAKES GOOD BUSINESS SENSE TO CREATE BETTER, MORE SUSTAINABLE SPACES FOR PEOPLE. AND IN DOING SO WE ALSO REDUCE OUR COSTS.”

Quantifying the reduction in carbon emissions does not always

Marks & Spencer to sign a common green lease (where tenant and

resonate with people, whereas putting a dollar figure on how much

landlord agree to sustainable goals) with all BBP members, an

waste or energy is saved is universally understood.

industry first.

“We have to have a common language that everybody understands.

So how does Edwards think Australia ranks in terms of green

Waste is a great example. People do understand the cost impact of

leases?

waste on their business.”

“I think there are dark green and light green leases. At Hammerson we Thinking about buildings as communities and creating common

started with light green and we are starting the same way at Mirvac.

goals for occupiers of those buildings will also drive change.

“At first retailers said no, particularly if there were a whole lot of big “We need to think of how to communicate with vertical communities

changes in the lease, but by starting small and simple they came

and get everyone involved in improving buildings. People tend to

around,” he says.

think of communities as something that exists in a more horizontal way at ground level but they can also be vertical. If we can achieve a

With Marks & Spencer it was not a case of convincing the retailer,

common language to engage people I’ll be able to walk away [at the

the company had already established an ambitious sustainability

end of his time as BBP chair] very happy.”

strategy.

24 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

“They were almost there already,” says Edwards. “They wanted to

At the city level things are going well – London, New York, Melbourne

shake up the industry.”

and Sydney – all have similar approaches to being more sustainable.

In Australia establishing a common green lease is more of

Mirvac’s sustainability plans are ambitious – it aims to be net

a challenge as many of the major retail chains have their

positive by 2030, generating more energy and water than it

headquarters offshore.

consumes and capturing more waste than it creates. Currently it has a 4.87 Star NABERS energy ratings across its office portfolio

“It is a bit more difficult here but some are very sustainably minded

and between 2009 and 2013 it cut greenhouse gas emissions by 41

and there are great opportunities,” says Edwards.

per cent, worth $5.1million in savings per year.

One area where Australia is very different to the UK and Europe is

The figures speak for themselves, says Edwards:

government attitude to climate change. In the UK there is crossparty agreement on the need to address climate change. Here,

“For a company like Mirvac we understand climate change is

climate change has been put on the back burner with sustainability

happening and know it makes good business sense to create better,

funding and initiatives slashed by the Federal Government.

more sustainable spaces for people. And in doing so we also reduce our costs.”

“It is incredibly disappointing to see such back peddling on climate change and sustainability in Australia. As an industry we have to ignore it and just plough ahead,” he says.

“What the government is doing is annoying but it won’t stop the private sector from moving forward.”

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 25

A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CYCLE: FROM CRADLE TO CRADLE FOR PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS IN SEARCH OF TRUE SUSTAINABILITY, THERE IS ONLY ONE CONCEPT TO EMBR ACE – CR ADLE TO CR ADLE. CARPET MANUFACTURER DESSO’S CEO, ALEXANDER COLLOT D’ESCURY, DISCUSSES THE INS AND OUTS AND UPS AND DOWNS OF THIS EXCITING IDEA.

As an industry, we are at a fork in the road. One way is the old ‘take, make and waste’ economic system, developed since the industrial revolution. A way that has seen us all deplete natural resources, use high volumes of energy and water, and release high levels of waste, pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. A way that is taking us away from achieving the ideal sustainable outcomes we are all in search of.

Another is the Cradle to Cradle® route - a broad ranging environmental, human health and recycling concept - framed by the US architect William McDonough and German chemist, Dr. Michael Braungart.

26 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 27

This biomimetic approach, which models itself on nature’s

wouldn’t even need to think in terms of waste, or contamination, or

processes, offers our industry a holistic economic, industrial and

scarcity. Good design would allow for abundance, endless reuse, and

social framework. We can now focus on seeking systems that are not

pleasure.”

only efficient but also aim to be waste free. What is exciting is that there are no limitations on how we can apply this approach. From

Their philosophy, now built around a certification process

products, to buildings and whole urban developments, this is the

independently assessed by the Products Innovation Institute, has

route we must all travel.

five parameters: Material health, material reutilisation, renewable energy, water stewardship and social fairness. We at Desso and

“HUMAN BEINGS DON’T HAVE A POLLUTION PROBLEM; THEY HAVE A DESIGN PROBLEM. IF HUMANS WERE TO DEVISE PRODUCTS, TOOLS, FURNITURE, HOMES, FACTORIES, AND CITIES MORE INTELLIGENTLY FROM THE START, THEY WOULDN’T EVEN NEED TO THINK IN TERMS OF WASTE, OR CONTAMINATION, OR SCARCITY. GOOD DESIGN WOULD ALLOW FOR ABUNDANCE, ENDLESS REUSE, AND PLEASURE.”

Last year, Google’s executive chairman Eric Schmidt said that if

other C2C companies have to meet very high standards against these

“goodness had a brand it would be Cradle to Cradle ”. He recognised

five criteria. Already, 90 percent of our carpet tiles are C2C certified

that this idea – if taken to its conclusion – would pave the way for

(part of our commercial segment accounting for 65% of our total

sustainable economic growth on a very crowded planet.

business).

Braungart and McDonough ask us to reimagine how we design

The circular economy powered by the C2C concept, we believe, will

products.

help all of us solve at least four world crises.

They write in their latest book, The Upcycle (2013):

1.

®

The climate crisis: Not only is the ultimate goal of Cradle to Cradle® and the broader circular economy to move to renewable

“Human beings don’t have a pollution problem; they have a design

energy – leading to lower carbon emissions – but the recycling

problem. If humans were to devise products, tools, furniture,

and reuse of materials will make industry much less energy

homes, factories, and cities more intelligently from the start, they

intensive than the current linear system.

28 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

2.

The toxicity crisis: We spend 90% of our time indoors and need to ensure that materials and products don’t pollute the atmosphere. WHO recently reported that as many as seven million people died in 2012 due to indoor and outdoor air pollution. “Pollutants in the air in Beijing have hit 40 times the level decreed safe by the World Health Organisation,” reported The Economist recently. Smog warnings have been issued in recent months across Europe as well including Paris and London. Businesses can help to alleviate this world crisis by designing new functionality in their products. In our case, we created a carpet product, the DESSO AirMaster®, specially designed to capture fine dust particles in its fibres and therefore help to clear the indoor air of pollutants. It is eight times more effective than hard floors and four times more than regular carpets at capturing fine dust indoors.

3.

Raw material scarcity: With its focus on seeing waste as nutrients for the closed loop technical or biological cycles, C2C reduces the need to extract finite virgin resources. Already, over half of our business carpets are made up of regenerated nylon, produced by one of our key suppliers. Through the C2C process, we also created our DESSO Eco Base® polyolefin carpet backing that achieved C2C Silver Certification. Carpet tiles with EcoBase™ backing have reached a level where up to 97% percent of the materials are positively defined. The polyolefin based layer is 100% fully recyclable in our own production processes.

4.

Energy crisis: The circular economy, with its long-term focus on the use of renewable energy sources lessens dependence on fossil fuel oil, subject to price hikes, as well as potentially unsafe nuclear power.

The circular economy, with its new business streams and material cost savings, could be worth as much as a trillion dollars a year, according to data from Mckinsey and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Clearly, the smart money will be on this route forward.

BIOGRAPHY Alexander Collot d’Escury is CEO of Desso, a global carpet, carpet tiles and sports pitches company. He was appointed CEO in October 2012 after five years serving as Desso’s Chief Commercial Officer. He began his career working for Sara Lee with a focus on the Dutch coffee brand Douwe Egberts before moving to Nestlé, where he gained 13 years of valuable international management experience. He is also a board member of the Dutch Green Building Council (DGBC) and a member of the steering committee of Project MainStream to explore the practical application of the circular economy. Alexander graduated from the University of Rotterdam (Master of Law) and IMD, Lausanne (PED). He is married with three children.

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 29

QS KIT

FITNESS GADGETS AND ACCESSORIES

As winter sets in and the temptation to stay in, rug up and over-indulge is all too strong, BE explores the gadgets on the market that will inspire you to swap your ugg boots for your gym shoes and work up a sweat.

KINOMAP TRAINER APP

6 PACK NUTRITION BAG

$$ - VARIOUS SUBSCRIPTION PLANS

$94.95 + POSTAGE

This is an interactive cycling app that revolutionizes the experience

A popular item in the States and the UK with body builders and

of indoor training. Whether you are at home or in the gym you can

fitness fanatics, the 6 Pack Bag is a new cutting edge device,

connect via your smart device and workout in sync with inspiring

tailored to simplify your daily nutritional commitments. The

videos and scenes from around the world. Just choose among the

clever design makes for a convenient diet aid for not only fitness

geolocated videos of Kinomap and train whilst viewing your power,

enthusiasts but also busy individuals that want to keep their diets

speed, distance, time and heart rate in real time.

in check. The 6 pack bags have room for 3-5 meals (depending on size) as well as room for drink bottles, shakers, supplements,

A multiplayer mode is also available using the Game Centre where

snacks and cutlery. The BPA free polypropylene containers are kept

four players can train on the same video, update leader boards

cool by custom made ice packs that fit perfectly in the sides to help

according to time and distance, achieve goals and discuss together

you keep your meals fresh and crisp for longer. You can pre-prepare

with the vocal chat feature.

your meals on the weekend and be good to go in a flash for the rest of the week.

https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/kinomap-trainer/id437195565

30 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

http://www.6packbags.com.au/

QS KIT

BLUEANT PUMP HD SPORTSBUDS

FITBIT FLEX - ACTIVITY TRACKING WRISTBAND

$149.95

FITBIT FLEX ACTIVITY + SLEEP TRACKER WRISTBAND: RRP $129.95

BlueAnt Wireless, a leading innovator in Bluetooth audio solutions,

Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Tracker is wearable technology

has launched the PUMP HD Sportbuds – delivering unrivalled

that enables you to sync your lifestyle with your smart device in

audio for intense activity and extreme conditions. Featuring best-

order to monitor and track your movements and ultimately achieve

in-class wireless range, PUMP delivers crystal clear audio and is

your fitness goals. The Fitbit Flex is a wristband activity tracker that

currently the only set of wireless sport earbuds to carry the IP67

is slim and stylish, making it comfortable to wear all day. It tracks

waterproof distinction. Developed in harsh Australian conditions

steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes as well as the

over three years and in collaboration with top performing athletes,

quality of your sleep (number of hours, how many times you wake

the military-grade, rugged design protects the premium audio

up, sleep efficiency index) using a silent alarm that vibrates to wake

components from rain, dust, debris, sweat and even a rinse under

you up gently when you are well rested.

the tap at the end of workouts.

It is a must have accessory for the health conscious or fitness PUMP HD Sportbuds are available in two colours, Black and Green

fanatics who are keen to keep a watchful eye on performance

Ice, for $149.95 through all Harvey Norman stores and online at

and goals.

http://www.blueant.com.au

http://www.fitbit.com/au

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 31

SOCIAL

VICTORIAN CHAPTER BADMINTON SOCIAL EVENT MSAC, ALBERT PARK

AIQS SOCIAL DRINKS FATHER’S OFFICE BAR 13TH MARCH 2014

32 – THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014

SOCIAL

AIQS INDOOR CRICKET MIDDLE EAST OFFICE

If you have held or attended an AIQS event in your area and want to feature it in the Social Pages please send the event details and photographs with the names of who is in the picture to editor@buildingeconomist.com.au

THE BUILDING ECONOMIST – JUNE 2014 – 33