Multicoloured but green
Described as “sustainable design’s version of drag queen” – this building indeed has a vibrant and unique identity. Despite its small size, it has had a big impact as an early prototype for subsequent commercial builds.
📍Location
Melbourne, Australia
🏢Building Details
Completed 2010: Australia’s first carbon-neutral office
12,300 sq ft, 4-floors
First building ever to achieve 3 certifications (Australian Green Star, LEED, British Breeman) with highest possible score in each
$6.5 million (AUD)
👷🏾♀️Contractor
Daniel Grollo, Chairman & CEO @ Grocon
✍️Architects & Engineers
Dylan Brady, Conductor (Owner) @ Decibel Architecture; previously Founding Director @ studio505
🌱Sustainability
Iconic multicoloured, jagged façade made from translucent zero waste recycled panels: provide maximum daylight, shade, thermal insulation, and glare control
Generates all its own energy and water: vertical axis wind turbines (5 kW capacity) and rooftop solar panels with sun tracking system (6.3 kW capacity)
Smart window technology for “night purging”: automatically open at night to allow cool air to refresh structure
Anaerobic digester: ground level tank stores all toilet and kitchen waste; methane extracted and used for hot water heaters
🥦 Wellbeing
Bicycle storage and shower facilities – reduced parking to encourage healthy alternatives
“Night purging” system allows 100% fresh air and optimum natural ventilation
High ceilings with optimum levels of natural light
Native-planted rooftop garden fully serviced with dedicated elevator
🎈Bonus feature
A new type of environmental concrete was developed – called “Pixelcrete”. This innovative substitute is made from 100% recycled and reclaimed aggregate, halving the embodied carbon. The development of Pixelcrete has significant worldwide potential: proving green concrete stacks up.
🔗 Check it out https://www.db-a.co/work/pixel-building/
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