SUSTAINABILITY CASE OF THE FUTURE STUDIES Breaking common ground Are the days of the ‘glass box’ office or residential block numbered? An integrated social housing project broke new ground NDY’s Chris Nunn believes that in sustainability and philanthropy. while these buildings meet the aesthetic desire for natural light FIONA BAKER and great views, they struggle to weather the high solar loads and demands for cooling. These glass boxes in their current design will be far from ideal for the future. “The remedy is an increased focus on high-performance facade and fabric, in particular PROJECT: Camperdown Common Ground airtightness, better construction PROJECT CLIENT: Mission Australia and the NSW Department of Housing detailing to reduce uncontrolled SCOPE: Construction of a six-storey complex that provides innovative inner-city accommodation leaks and heat gains, and earlier for Sydney’s homeless and low income earners use of energy modelling as part COMPLETION: November 2011 of a more integrated, iterative design process,” Nunn says. He cites building trends in Europe as leading the way in energy-efficient construction. “Architects and engineers are working together to create BACKGROUND BRIEFING aesthetically striking facades KEY CHALLENGE KEY PLAYERS Providing safe shelter and housing for that respond appropriately to the estimated 105,000 homeless people Since its completion, Common Process the solar context of the site.” in Australia is always a high priority for Ground Sydney has achieved hydronic heating panels, which have weather welfare groups like Mission Australia. the much-lauded 5 Star Green The team identified two major areas that would compensation controls to ensure heating is not Some of the innovations include: In a city like Sydney where large numbers Building Council of Australia ensure success: achieving the sustainability and left on when not needed. • fabric solutions with high- of job seekers struggle with the high cost – Green Star Multi-Unit adaptability goals and completion in 14 months. Each unit is also adaptable to different needs performance glazing, low of accommodation, the need for affordable Residential v1 rating. It was the To speed up construction, pre-cast concrete and can be converted to suit a wheelchair-bound infiltration rates and attention and emergency housing is crucial. fi rst project in NSW to receive CHRIS NUNN, to thermal bridging Sustainability walls and flooring were made off-site and then resident if needed. “It’s a very clever design that In 2010, leaders in the development this, which NDY’s Sustainability Leader, Norman craned into position. Grocon and NDY also makes good use of small spaces,” says Nunn. • external shading industry joined together to commit to Leader, Chris Nunn, says was Disney & Young needed a clear plan on how each individual unit Everyone involved ensured the neighbours • appropriate window-to-wall building a six-storey complex in Sydney’s no easy path. rations inner-city suburb of Camperdown. It would The overarching aim of the could be adapted, if required, to suit people with were kept in the communication loop. Regular • double-glazing as standard, plus feature 104 high-quality, self-contained project was to implement different needs. At the same time, sustainability community barbecues were held and Thanh residential units, some community areas for a highly sustainable design principles needed to be developed and adhered says the less-than-happy locals eventually came triple- or even quadruple-glazing activities like yoga and cooking classes, a that delivered lower energy to. With each unit only 32 sq.m, the designers around, realising that the development would couple of shopfronts and a highly innovative costs. Many innovations were and builders needed to be innovative to ensure have major benefits for the local area. THE FINANCIAL and unique natural ventilation system to implemented to achieve this a comfortable, liveable, secure and climate- The residents, caseworkers and stakeholders replace the need for air conditioning. THANH QUACH, BENEFITS goal, such as the natural Many of the key players – including Project Manager, controlled space for tenants. have also voiced their satisfaction with the ventilation system which Grocon Group Norman Disney & Young (NDY), which The team also had to deal with some hostile outcome. Thanh says that immense joy and Building housing for the homeless uses the passive stack effect, was responsible for the project’s ground- neighbours in an adjacent residential complex, pride from living or working at Common also reaps benefits financially. whereby natural forces breaking sustainability design and who were initially unhappy with the project. Ground Sydney has been expressed. “This is a According to the Australian activated by airfl ow remove engineering – worked at cost or donated Common Ground Alliance, housing stale and hot air, and replace testament to the building and its appropriate large slabs of their time. The project was Outcome a person in a Common Ground it with fresh air. Nunn says design, which meets the unique user needs.” funded by state and federal governments Common Ground Sydney was completed on Since completion the project has received facility is $63 per night, or $133 at a total cost of $29 million. while they knew they had a for crisis accommodation, $276 Both the name and overall philosophy of system that would work in this KEN MAHLER, time and under budget. It achieved its goals numerous awards and industry recognition, this project come from a successful model development using a central Chairman to provide affordable, comfortable and safe both locally and internationally: in prison, $439 in an emergency used to combat homelessness in New York atrium, it took long hours of International housing for homeless and low income earners. • 2012 Australian Institute of Architects – room, $702 in a mental health bed Executive, Hassell where individuals, families and communities computerised modelling to It generates 35 per cent less greenhouse gas NSW Premier’s Prize Finalist and $1100 in a hospital bed. are strengthened through the provision of prove their system would work. emissions than a typical comparable residential • 2012 UDIA NSW Award for excellence – It is cheaper to house a person affordable housing and access to services. It was a big challenge, says building due to the ventilation system, high- Winner (Affordable Development category) in Common Ground for a year than As Grocon’s Project Manager, Thanh Nunn, but today it means that performance building materials and double- • 2012 World Architecture Festival (WAF) it is to have them spend that time Quach, says: “This was a project for the soul”. each unit is effi ciently cooled sleeping rough and using hospital using natural ventilation and glazed windows. About 50 per cent of domestic Awards – High Commendation (Housing) facilities twice a month, which is ceiling fans. hot water needs are provided by solar thermal • 2012 GBCA 5-Star Green Star – Multi Unit panels, with each unit heated via gas-fired Residential (Design v1 certified). ••• not unusual.

22 Project Manager www.aipm.com.au Project Manager 23

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