Goods Shed reaches for the stars and comes out green - October 2009

Goods Shed reaches for the stars and comes out green - October 2009

Docklands’ historic goods shed has become Victoria’s first heritage-listed building to achieve a 5 Star Green Star rating for environmental efficiency.

The refurbished building will early next year become home for VicUrban, the Building Commission and the Plumbing Industry Commission.

Speaking last month at the announcement of the 5 Star rating, VicUrban CEO Pru Sanderson said VicUrban wanted to lead by example when considering what type of office accommodation it should have.

“We wanted to show what was possible. So we saw this building as presenting that opportunity,” she said.

“It’s a heritage building and it’s a very important part of Docklands. We knew

it would be difficult but we thought if we could refurbish this building and achieve

a 5 Star rating then we would be showing leadership to the industry.”

“We set Equiset one hell of a task when I said I wanted this to be green star,” she said.

5 Star Green Star accreditation was achieved through a number of innovative sustainable design initiatives which allowed the historical exterior of the building to be preserved.

Equiset’s managing director Lorenz Grollo said features included a grey water system, rainwater harvesting facilities and underfloor ventilation to help reduce demand on energy and water resources.

Tony Arnel the Building Commissioner and Plumbing Industry Commissioner, and Chair of the Green Building Council

of Australia, said the refurbishment of

the 1889 building was an important step forward for ecologically sustainable design.

“This is a first for Victoria, and one of only a handful of heritage-listed buildings around Australia to achieve a Green Star rating,” Mr Arnel said.

Planning Minister Justin Madden said over 350 construction jobs had been created during the transformation of the 120 year-old building.

“Docklands is currently home to the greatest number of 5 Star Green Star accredited office developments within an Australian commercial precinct,” Mr Madden said.

“The pioneering work of

both VicUrban and Equiset demonstrates that Green Star standards are not limited to new buildings, but with innovation and commitment can be achieved in heritage-listed buildings too.”

“With existing buildings making up the majority of Victoria’s commercial building stock, demonstrating how complex refurbishments can be delivered will make a significant difference to the long-term sustainability of Victoria’s

built environment,”

Mr Madden said.

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