L3 co-creator Roberto Minunno said, in addition to the physical waste created by construction, it was also important to consider the amount of CO2 emissions emitted during building projects. “In the specific example of L3, a traditionally built modular building of this size would have created about 50 tonnes of CO2 emissions, whereas the modular Living Lab build only created 5 tonnes of CO2 emissions – a huge benefit for the environment,” Dr Minunno said. “A non-modular build would normally have a concrete foundation or slab, but L3 is built using a steel micro-pile footing system, consisting of a series of steel poles that are skewed in to the ground at specific angles, to anchor the building."
Regarding its thermal efficiency, L3 is highly insulated and fully electrified (no gas in its appliances). In combination with the high-quality solar panels, L3’s carbon footprint is minimal compared to the footprint of traditional buildings. DevelopmentWA CEO, Frank Marra, said the State Government’s development agency was excited to be supporting the ambitious project through $100,000 of funding and a three year lease. “DevelopmentWA is committed to championing change in Western Australia’s housing industry by demonstrating new technologies and sustainable living initiatives,” Marra said. “An Innovation through Demonstration project, East Village in Knutsford will be Fremantle’s most sustainable new development, featuring energy and water savings, renewable energy revenues for residents, and a range
of homes with adaptable spaces for home offices." “L3 is revolutionary in the way it will bring together industry, researchers and the community to shape and create the future of living. Research undertaken here into precinct-scale sustainability initiatives will help inform best-practice design for future housing developments that we undertake,” Marra said. Industry partners for the L3 project included Acoufelt, Armstrong Flooring, BGC, Bluescope Steel, Brajkovich Demolition, Delos, DevelopmentWA, Enware, Fleetwood Australia, Forest One, Infinite Energy, Intelligent Home, Interface, ITI – Innovative Timber Ideas, Jason Windows, Ludlow Timber Products, Metforce Balustrades, Mettech imaging, OP Properties, Proform, Quantify Technology, RWC – Reliance Worldwide Corporation, Schneider Electric, Somfy, Stramit, Verosol, and Weathertex.
“This alone saved 20 tonnes of concrete, compared to 735 kilograms of steel – which, unlike concrete, can be recycled.” Professor Greg Morrison, also from the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, said that because L3 is modular, it can be relocated – potentially multiple times – which helps it last even longer. “On average, the lifespan of buildings in Australia is 20 years, but L3 is designed to last for at least 50 years,” Professor Morrison said. “Once it finally reaches its end of life, around 57 per cent of L3 can be deconstructed and reused in other buildings, 25 per cent of it can be recycled, and 18 per cent disposed of."
FEATURE: RESILIENT BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION | STEEL AUSTRALIA | SUMMER 2021-2022
Other environmentally-friendly features of L3 include the outdoor balcony, made from recycled tyre rubber and plastics; the acoustic ceiling panels, which are 68 per cent recycled PET bottles and other plastic materials; and the kitchen benchtop, made from pressed recycled timber. L3 also features solar panels, an on-site electric vehicle charger, and incorporates water balancing features.
Internal spaces: L3 is used for research among universities and networking with the building industry.
“L3 is currently a Curtin University building, used primarily as a space for industry demonstration and a place to carry out important research on new building and material concepts," Professor Morrison said. The building features smart-home devices, such as automatic blinds, circadian rhythm lights, and many sensing devices, such as air quality (TVOC, CO2, PM2.5 and humidity), temperature, lighting, and vibration. There is currently a group of six electrical engineering students and an upcoming PhD student researching creating a symbiosis between all of these smarthome elements.
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