Lifestyle Working - Brookvale

Sustainable

The building has an energy star rating what does that mean?

The building has an energy star rating in the same way a fridge or washing machine has an energy rating. The energy rating system for buildings is called the ABGR (Australian Building Greenhouse Rating) system and measures the energy performance of a building on a scale from 1 star to 5 stars. A 1star ABGR rating is a very poor performance and a 5 star rating is excellent energy performance- a 3 star rating is about average. The Lifestyle Working project aims to achieve a 5 star ABGR rating which is the highest achievable energy star rating.

Will the 5 star energy rating of the building affect my energy bills

Yes the energy bills will be reduced . The energy star rating of the building is related to the common areas such as the car park lighting and ventilation, the lifts, corridor lighting as well as the energy used to air condition the offices. A 5 star rated building is between 30-40% more efficient than a typical office building so there will be a reduction in the overall energy costs of the building.

How has a 5 star rating been achieved and what are the features of the building that make it more energy efficient?

The following main energy efficient feature shave been developed for the building.

• External shading: Considerable external shading has been used throughout to reduce the air conditioning load.
• Energy efficient glass: Energy efficient glass has been used throughout called low emissivity glass (low e glass). The low e glass lets in plenty of daylight but cuts out the heat from the sun so the air conditioning loads are less and the artificial lighting is not required as much.
• Mixed mode ventilation: The offices have been designed to achieve good air movement with natural ventilation via dedicated natural ventilation openings in the façade that can be controlled by the occupant. The natural ventilation will provide comfortable conditions for a majority of the year but air conditioning is still provided which can be used for the very hot and cold days.
• Renewable energy: Solar electric panels are mounted on the roof to generate renewable energy for the common area services.
• Air conditioning: A very efficient air conditioning system called a VRV variable refrigerant volume system has been proposed.

What is a mixed mode ventilation system?

The offices have been designed so the tenant has the choice of natural ventilation or air conditioning. The natural ventilation can be controlled by opening and closing the glass louvered sections in the façade. The air conditioning should never be left on with the windows open.

Is natural ventilation healthier than air conditioning?

An air conditioning system only introduces a very small or controlled proportion of fresh air from outside with the air being mainly continually recycled within the space. With natural ventilation you would get up to ten times the amount of fresh air within the space making it a more healthy and productive environment.