171 Collins Street achieves 6 Star GBCA Green Star rating

171 Collins Street achieves 6 Star GBCA Green Star rating
171 Collins on the skyline © 171collins.com.au
Laurence DragomirNovember 24, 2014

Just 12 months on from its completion, 171 Collins Street, has become the first premium building in Australia (and the second-largest Victorian building) to achieve the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) 6 Star Green Star As Built Office v2 rating, scoring a record 83 points. The rating recognises the extensive work done by the team managing the building to meet its targets through constant tweaks, extensive day-by-day monitoring and liaison with tenants on their responsibilities.

The building’s energy performance is now meeting and exceeding the NABERS Energy 5 Star target set. Achieving a Green Star score of 83 is a fantastic reward for our extremely hard working management team and tenants, who take their responsibility to maintaining sustainable practices very seriously.

Craig Newman, Fund Manager, Charter Hall Office Trust
171 Collins Street achieves 6 Star GBCA Green Star rating
Inside 171 Collins Street's foyer. © 171collins.com.au

Designed by award-winning architects Bates Smart, engineered by Umow Lai and managed by Knight Frank Australia, 171 Collins Street features a myriad of best practice sustainability features in an architectural landmark that fuses a heritage façade with modern design.

In addition to the finely crafted façade, the building incorporates key environmental features to easily achieve a 6 Star Green Star and 5 Star NABERS energy rating. In particular, the use of an under-floor air distribution system provides superior indoor air quality, occupant comfort and flexibility.

Bates Smart

The development consists of 29,800sqm of premium office space, spread over 17 large campus-style floor-plates, and 1,700sqm of boutique office space in the restored heritage building on Collins Street. The lower levels incorporate a business centre and over 1,500sqm of high-end retail space.

The building employs a number of innovative technologies including an Australian-first ceiling tile system that absorbs office pollutants to create a healthier office environment for workers, as well as grey water treatment that recycles shower water to be used in cooling towers and toilets.

Charter Hall and Cbus Property have long demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, with more than 20 Green Star projects under their belts between them. This newest Green Star rating for 171 Collins Street is a testament to their leadership, and underscores the fact that a Green Star rating is not just a mark of excellence in sustainability, but of quality.

Romily Madew, GBCA Chief Executive

Sustainability credentials

  • 9 storey glass atrium that maximises natural light.
  • Floor to ceiling double glazing with thermal insulation to help maintain occupant comfort.
  • High-performance ceramic fritted glass façade to reduce heat gain and glare.
  • Dedicated waste storage area for separation, collection and recycling.
  • Advanced rainwater and greywater reuse system.
  • Highly flexible under-floor air distribution system for superior indoor air quality.
  • Highly optimised lighting design with extensive controls for occupancy and daylight harvesting.
  • Energy-efficient fixtures and fittings.
  • Low-VOC and formaldehyde emissions.
  • Premium end-of-trip facilities with 280 bicycle spaces, showers, change rooms and lockers.
  • Destination controlled lift systems.

The 6 Star Green Star rating is the latest in a string of accolades for 171 Collins Street this year, which makes it Melbourne’s most awarded green building of 2014.

To achieve a 6 Star Green Star As Built Office V2 rating tops off a fantastic year for 171 Collins Street, which has also been recognised at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific, United Nationals Association of Australia World Environment Awards and Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards.

Adrian Pozzo, Cbus Property CEO

In May 2014, 171 Collins Street was recognised at the prestigious International Property Awards (Asia Pacific), where it was judged the Best Commercial High Rise Development in Australia and was also highly commended in the Office Development Australia category. It was also recently awarded the Hanson’s Green Building Award at the United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards in June 2014 and also received the Sustainability Development Award at the Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards 2014.

171 Collins Street achieves 6 Star GBCA Green Star rating
171 Collins Street lobby. © Cbus Property/Charter Hall

Laurence Dragomir

Laurence Dragomir is one of the co-founders of Urban Melbourne. Laurence has developed a wealth of knowledge and experience working in both the private and public sector specialising in architecture, urban design and planning. He also has a keen interest in the built environment, cities and Star Wars.

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