Green Zone

December 2010 – Grocon’s new Pixel building in Melbourne, which has just attained a flawless 6 Green Star score, is the world’s first ‘carbon neutral’ office building. But does a world-class green rating necessarily produce the world’s best offices? JOHN POWER investigates.

September 2010 – Relocation expert GAB AGHION offers his Top 10 tips to keep you stress-free throughout your search, fitout and relocation project.

August 2010 – Life-cycle building tuning strategies are necessary for assured long-term building performance and reduced carbon emissions, writes WARWICK STANNUS from the property management specialist AG Coombs.

June 2010 – With the increasing emphasis on environmental performance, the search for the most efficient and effective water-heating solution for multi-dwelling buildings becomes more critical. Stiebel Eltron Australia’s sales director, DARREN FLETCHER, discusses the best options in terms of efficiency, installation, running costs, and environmental performance.

March 2010 – The Carbon Real-Time system from CarbonetiX monitors the current electricity usage of individual circuits, allowing you to monitor the electricity usage of your lights, power outlets, hot water system, and more.

March 2010 – Blackwater treatment systems, designed for the recycling of water from toilets and kitchens etc, are becoming more cost-effective and technically viable with every passing year. HARTLEY HENDERSON outlines the workings of typical modern systems in different commercial situations.

February 2010 – Sustainable facilities in the Australian and New Zealand banking sector have become essential elements of good corporate governance, as SUSAN WATERER from UGL Services explains.

December 2009 – In our rush to adopt water-saving technologies in commercial buildings, many building managers have failed to consider the engineering consequences of sudden drops in water flows, particularly wastewater flows through sewerage pipes. HARTLEY HENDERSON examines the nightmare of ‘dry drains’.

July 2009 – Two new books by leading academics Profs Peter Newman (left) and Timothy Beatley underscore the urgent need for strategic, efficient design in our buildings and cities – and there is no room for pessimism in the masterplan! JOHN POWER reports.

January 2009 – A new global report by McGraw-Hill Construction, in partnership with the World Green Building Council, forecasts a clear expansion of sustainable building practices worldwide – so there’s no longer any justification for fence-sitting, JOHN POWER reports.