May 2011 – The recently completed Ausgrid (formerly Energy Australia) Learning Centre has been given a Six Star Green Star certified rating by the Green Building Council Australia (GBCA).
The awarding of the maximum 6 Star Green Star rating signifies world leadership in environmentally sustainable design and construction, and is the first for an educational facility.
Designed by DEM Architects and completed by Brookfield Multiplex, the facility in Silverwater, New South Wales, measures 17,200 square metres over three levels.
It was designed to include several pioneering environmental technologies, such as in-slab ducted heating for classrooms, trigeneration, 260 photovoltaic cells, rainwater harvesting, greywater re-use and 3-point Green Star concrete with 20 percent recycled content. The use of these systems in the one facility has never before been done in an Australian development.
The ALC will be equipped to accommodate training across a number of disciplines previously conducted by Ausgrid in four separate locations, including power worker training, technical training and research, corporate learning and development, as well as regulatory training and graduate programs.
Construction of the gas-driven trigeneration power system including the drilling of 55 geothermal bores for ground source heat rejection 100 metres below ground. During construction the bores suffered flooding from an aquifer, leading Brookfield Multiplex to develop an innovative water and mud drilling technique to enable construction work to continue, which was completed three months ahead of handover and on budget.
Ausgrid managing director George Maltabrow says the facility is a great showcase of the company’s vision for the future, as well as the technical skills-base required in the electrical industry.
More information
Ausgrid www.ausgrid.com.au
Brookfield Multiplex www.brookfieldmultiplex.com
DEM Architects www.dem.com.au