Australia’s first Green Star-designed education building was officially opened by Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard, in August.

The recently completed Bond University’s Mirvac School of Sustainable Development was awarded its 6-Star, or ‘World Leadership’, status by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

The building aims to minimise energy consumption and maximise the use of natural light and is expected to reduce annual CO2 emissions by over 82 per cent and has set a benchmark for 101,851kilowatt hours (kWh) of annual energy consumption.

The building’s offices and classrooms are positioned to minimise the impact of direct sun and reduce the need for air-conditioning, while window glass and the building’s circulation spine maximise natural ventilation and daylight. This design also has the potential to be integrated with lighting sensors to reduce lighting energy consumption. The lighting system includes daylight sensors, motion detectors and task lighting.

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The building’s photovoltaic solar cells generate approximately 27,000 kWh of energy per year. Although the university has a low wind velocity, a wind turbine installed on the roof is expected to produce approximately 50 kWh of energy per year as well as serve as an effective demonstration for education purposes.

The building’s design made extensive use of recycled materials, including recycled-certified steel and timber, low-emission paints and carpets made from recycled fibres.

Another key energy saving feature of the building is its gas boosted solar heating system for domestic hot water.

The building’s water consumption is reduced by water efficient features and fittings. Rainwater is being collected and used to flush toilets and irrigate the landscape and grey water from showers and basin is also treated and re-used for irrigation.

Water and energy meters have been installed and are connected to the Bond University Site-Wide Building Management System (BMS) to facilitate easy monitoring of water and electricity consumption. The data collected by the BMS is displayed on video displays and allows a review of operational performance against the buildings set targets.

Bond University Chancellor Trevor Rowe said that while the building cost approximately 30 per cent more than traditional buildings upfront, the $11 million investment represents significant long term cost savings.

He encouraged other education providers to consider an environmentally sound approach when embarking on new developments in order to help promote healthier learning facilities as well as reduce long term costs.

GBCA Chief Executive Romilly Madew commended Bond University for reducing its negative environmental impact as well as providing students a safe and healthy surrounding. She congratulated the university and Mirvac for taking on the challenge to create a world leading building that will use fewer resources and provide an opportunity for hands on learning.

The university will be inviting schools, governments, industry and the general public to visit the new building and have a hands on experience of sustainable planning, design and construction processes.

The design rating is the result of a twelve month submission process the university undertook with GBCA as part of its Green Star pilot process for educational buildings.