Posts Tagged ‘urban design and built form’
Pixel Building
Posted in Models by Kate Archdeacon on August 24th, 2010
Source: Green Building Council Australia (GBCA)
Grocon’s new Pixel building, the first carbon neutral office building in Australia, has achieved the highest Green Star score ever awarded by the Green Building Council of Australia. Pixel has achieved a perfect score of 100 points under the Green Star rating system for building design, with 75 points the benchmark for 6 Star Green Star. It gained an extra five points for innovation, equating to world leadership. Included in Pixel’s five innovation points were points for carbon neutrality, a vacuum toilet system, the anaerobic digestion system and reduced car parking. The water initiatives in the project mean the building could be self sufficient for water – in this context, the project is water balanced as well as carbon neutral. The designers of Pixel are all Victorian firms – architects studio505, sustainability and services engineers Umow Lai and the structure engineer, VDM Consulting.
The building features Pixelcrete – a type of concrete which halves the embodied carbon in the mix – as well as wind turbines invented in Bendigo, the Melbourne University designed ‘living roof’ which re-introduces Victorian grassland species to the Melbourne area, and tracking photovoltaic roof panels. The sun shade system on the exterior of the building will provide the maximum amount of daylight into the office space, protecting it from glare and heat in the summer, while smart window technology ensures windows will open automatically on cool nights to enable air flow into the building.
Read the full article from GBCA.
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Stormwater Harvesting & Reuse: Kalkallo, Vic
Posted in Models by Kate Archdeacon on August 18th, 2010
Source: Smart Water Fund
Yarra Valley Water has won the ‘Master-planning and design’ category of the 2009 Stormwater Excellence Awards for its proposed Kalkallo Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Project, at the new Merrifield development in Melbourne’s north. The project will involve capturing and treating stormwater from a 160 hectare catchment area within commercial land at Merrifield. In the future, it is hoped that the treated water may supplement the drinking water supply across the development and Melbourne’s growing northern corridor. In 2009 the project received more than $9.6 million funding under the first round of the Federal Government’s ‘Water for the Future – National Urban Water and Desalination Fund’.
The stormwater will be collected via traditional stormwater drains. It will then be treated in a series of architecturally-designed wetlands along the Hume Highway frontage of Merrifield, including settling ponds and wetlands and then stored in a large dam. The wetlands will incorporate best-practice sustainability design principles, which will manage the quality and quantity of stormwater collected from the area. From there the water will pass through a state-of-the-art treatment plant, which will produce a drinking-water-quality end product, used to supplement the development’s recycled water supply. Eventually, it is hoped it can supplement the potable water supply when rigorous monitoring and data collection demonstrates that it is safe to do so.
“This water sensitive approach at Merrifield will be a leading example for future cities. It shows how the water industry is proactively creating solutions for the community to maximise use of alternative water sources, and reduce the excess stormwater degrading our streams and waterways,” says Mr Tony Kelly, Yarra Valley Water Managing Director. “The Kalkallo Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Project is set to be a project of international significance, showcasing how urban water infrastructure can be designed differently to deliver a more resilient water solution.”
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Earth Building Conference 2010
Posted in Events, Movements by Kate Archdeacon on August 11th, 2010
EBAA 2010 Earth Building Conference
Is Insulation the answer to energy efficiency? Has the approach since 2003 been a success? Are 5 Star homes really that good? What about thermal mass and good design? We have had difficulty understanding why computers don’t like earth buildings. Some high profile academics also have concerns with NatHers. How can you build an energy efficient earth home? How can you build a Bushfire safe home? What is the best material in flame zone construction? What about fire bunkers? How to use earth in ways you never dreamed of revealed in a day of workshops? Get your hands dirty! Conference speakers are still being confirmed, but the focus areas will be: – Affordable housing – Flame zone and bunkers – Challenging bunker regulations – Forum: energy efficient earth houses – Workshops including Building a fire bunker Soil & brick Testing Brick production – Guest speaker dinner, Saturday night at Montsalvat.
17 & 18 September 2010
Eltham Community and Reception Centre
801 Main Road, Eltham 3095
Check out your next issue of Dirt and www.ebaa.asn.au for updates.
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Greening the Existing Building Stock: Conference 2010
Posted in Events, Research by Kate Archdeacon on August 6th, 2010
How can we meet the challenge of transforming our existing buildings for a sustainable Australia? While new buildings are becoming increasingly energy and water efficient, the overwhelming majority of existing buildings in Australia were built without any consideration for sustainability. The improvement of their performance plays a crucial part in the nation’s efforts for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The transformation of the existing building stock is regarded as the biggest challenge facing owners, government and the building industry today.
The Green Building and Design Conference 2010 will provide you with the inspiration and guidance to successfully transform the existing building stock to meet sustainability criteria. Site visits, presentations and discussions will illustrate how theory has been put into practice and how practice can be used to refine theory.
Topics include:
* key strategic issues and trends in the refurbishments of residential and commercial buildings
* successful mitigation and adaptation strategies
* mandatory disclosure of building performance
* retrofitting heritage listed buildings
* post-occupancy studies
* economic strategies for improving building performance
* life cycle analysis in the decision making process
* non-technical factors influencing successful retrofits
Hosted by the RMIT Centre for Design, this highly regarded, annual professional training conference is the most comprehensive and informative in its field due to its breadth of speakers and the practical emphasis of the program. The conference brings together architects and designers, policy makers, councilors, energy consultants, building owners and stakeholders in the construction industry. An online virtual participation mode is available for those who are unable to attend the event personally. This provides an interactive experience, providing access to presentations and the ability to ask questions in real-time. Lunch and refreshments during morning and afternoon breaks will be provided for in-person attendees.
Friday 3rd – Saturday 4th September 2010
State Library of Victoria
Contact Nicola Willand RMIT Centre for Design Tel: (+61 3) 9925 3902 Email: nicola.willand@rmit.edu.au
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Dr Alex Wonhas: CSIRO
Posted in Events by Mark Ogge on July 30th, 2010
Image: CSIRO
A monthly discussion group hosted by Beyond Zero Emissions focusing on energy solutions to climate change.
August guest speaker: Dr Alex Wonhas, Director, Energy Transformed Flagship CSIRO.
Dr Alex Wonhas joined CSIRO directly from McKinsey & Company where he was one of the co-authors of McKinsey’s Carbon Abatement Cost Curve for Australia. He took up the role as CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship Director in August 2009. The Flagship aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions by providing sustainable, efficient, cost-effective energy solutions. Dr Wonhas will present an overview of his work including:
- Australia’s first Zero Emissions House (Aus ZEH),
- Energy efficiency for commercial buildings,
- Web-based smart metering system,
- Ultra batteries (super capacitor + lead acid battery hybrid),
- Distributed energy systems (using microturbines, PV, wind, demand mangement, etc),
- Solar Brayton Cycle demonstration system.
Come prepared with lots of questions as it is rare that we have a guest speaker with the breadth of knowledge as Dr Wonhas. He will appear via Skype video link.
Further reading:
http://www.csiro.com/people/Alex.Wonhas.html
http://www.csiro.com/org/Energy-Transformed-Flagship-Overview.html
Event location: 2nd Floor, Kindness House, 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Time: 6.30 – 8 pm, Monday 2nd August 2010
Cost: Gold coin donation
Wheelchair access available via lift; 2 flights of stairs. Happy to assist with access. Please call 0421 272 884 to arrange.
All welcome
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Hoddle Street Planning: Have Your Say
Posted in Policies, Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on July 14th, 2010
Source: Victoria Walks
Hoddle Street is often choked with traffic and is an unpleasant environment for walking. What ideas do you have about making this street more vibrant and people friendly?
VicRoads is currently undertaking a planning study to investigate options to improve the efficiency and reliability of all modes of transport along Hoddle Street, from the Eastern Freeway to just north of the M1 Freeway (Citylink). As with any transport planning investigation, it is important that we understand the interests, issues and concerns of all users – so we want to know what you think.
Project description
Hoddle Street is critical to north-south and east-west transport movements in inner Melbourne and to the flow of Eastern Freeway traffic to and from the CBD. As conditions change and demand continues to increase, the challenge will be to find ways to reduce congestion and improve transport flow whilst considering the needs and safety of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. The study will examine key issues and investigate potential solutions, including grade separations and opportunities to enhance the efficiency of public transport.
Have your say
Your input is important in helping us better understand key issues relating to congestion, public transport, pedestrian and bicycle use, land use planning and urban design. Join in the discussion by clicking through on the questions on the website. You will be asked to register to participate, your privacy is protected and your name and email will never be disclosed.
Here’s your chance to join the discussion and help promote a more walking friendly environment!
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Healthy Parks = Healthy People? A Melbourne Conversation
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on April 13th, 2010
Source: Climate Action Calendar
Image: reggestraat via flickr CC
Healthy Parks = Healthy People? Nature & the outdoor life. Conversations about parks, play, children, access to nature, wellbeing and the great outdoors.
Richard Louv identified a phenomenon: nature-deficit disorder. His book Last Child in the Woods has galvanized an international movement around the disconnection between children and nature. Steve Coleman leads Washinton DC’s 16-year-old alliance of public/private parks partnerships, which manages restoration, stewardship, and programming of their parks across the city. Mardie Townsend is involved, in collaboration with Parks Victoria and other partner organisations, in investigating the benefits of contact with nature for human health and wellbeing.
Panellists:
Associate Professor Mardie Townsend, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University;
Steve Coleman Executive Director, Washington Parks and People, USA;
Richard Louv Journalist, Author and chairman and co-founder of the Children & Nature Network, USA.
Moderator:
Natasha Mitchell – Journalist and Presenter, ABC Radio National – All in the Mind.
Tue 13 Apr
6pm to 7.30pm, entry from 5.30pm
BMW Edge, Federation Square
All welcome, No bookings required, Free entry
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Bike lanes, On-street Parking and Business: Report
Posted in Research by Kate Archdeacon on April 2nd, 2010
Source: Victoria Walks
Bike lanes, on-street parking and business is a research report from Toronto showing that people who walked to their local shopping area spent more money compared to people who travelled there by car.
“The reallocation of street use from on-street parking to active transportation infrastructure such as widened sidewalks or bike lanes has become a controversial issue in many cities over the past several decades. Opposition to such changes is often based on the assumption that on-street parking is vital to business and that removing on-street parking will decrease customer numbers and therefore commercial activity. However, cities are becoming increasingly interested in providing space for active transportation, citing the health, safety and environmental benefits as primary catalysts.”
Shining Lights: Showcasing Sustainable Urban Development
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on March 30th, 2010
Source: Moreland Energy Foundation
MEFL’s members and friends are invited to an inspiring evening of discussion and presentations “Shining Lights – showcasing sustainable urban development, here and overseas”, to be held at WestWyck – where the old Brunswick West Primary School site has been transformed into a model of urban sustainability.
Speakers:
Peter Steele – MEFL Urban Development Coordinator on the lessons for Moreland from communities in Europe.
Mike Hill – MEFL Chairman and WestWyck developer will share the inside story of WestWyck’s creation.
When: 6.30pm, Wednesday 14th April 2010.
Where: Westwyck, 4/44A Hunter St, West Brunswick.
RSVP: to info@mefl.com.au or call 9385 8585.
Light refreshments provided.
Prepare for more time in the car: Report
Posted in Research by Kate Archdeacon on March 15th, 2010
Source: Green Building Council Australia (GBCA)
Image: basibanget via flickr CC
By 2041, Australia’s cities will experience significant increases in traffic congestion, people will spend more time travelling and cars will generate more greenhouse gas emissions, a new study has found.
Cities for the future: Baseline report and key issues, commissioned by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), was released at Green Cities 2010 in Melbourne.
The report points to a bleak future where transport-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) increase by almost 50 per cent and travel times increase by quarter. “Under a business as usual approach, our urban centres will become more transport intensive and less transport efficient. Congestion will worsen, travel times become longer and transport-related GHG increase,” says ASBEC President, Tom Roper.
“The report is a clarion call to our federal, state and local governments that swift, decisive action is required to deliver better transport systems in Australia’s cities,” Mr Roper says. According to Romilly Madew, Chief Executive of the Green Building Council Australia and task group chair, the analysis “clearly shows that, without action to change the way people live, work and play in our cities, our transport challenges will only get worse.”
Cities for the future is the first part of a four stage project which aims to explore and measure the links between greenhouse gas emissions from urban transport and land use within our cities.