The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has celebrated certifying its 500th Green Star project – an industrial project by Australand.

Responding to industry demands, the GBCA launched the Green Star rating system for buildings in 2003 to support the property and construction industry to reduce the environmental impact of buildings, drive innovation in sustainable building practices, improve occupant health and productivity and achieve cost savings.

“In nine short years, Green Star has radically transformed the footprint of our cities,” says the GBCA’s chief executive, Romilly Madew.

“These 500 building projects equate to eight million square metres of Green Star-certified building space around Australia – from offices to retail centres, and from schools to hospitals.

“This transformation has occurred through true market leadership.  Leading by example has pushed our industry from a ‘business as usual’ mentality to the forefront of green building expertise and innovation.

“With 500 building projects now under our belt, the emerging leaders in the industry are those companies making a portfolio or precinct-wide commitment to Green Star.  There are currently more than 500 projects registered to achieve Green Star ratings in the future,” Madew adds.

Australand Property Group’s Keysborough Spec 1 development in Victoria achieved a 5 Star Green Star – Industrial Design v1 rating.  The development comprises two large warehouses and office space inside one 27,000m2 building.

“It’s fitting that Keysborough Spec 1 is the 500th Green Star project, as it demonstrates how market transformation is extending beyond the office sector,” says Australand’s Sustainability Manager, Paolo Bevilacqua.

Other recently announced Green Star projects include Stockland’s Western Australian headquarters on Victoria Avenue in Perth (pictured), which has become the first building in the state to earn a trio of Green Star ratings from the Green Building Council of Australia.

The office space, which Stockland occupies the ground floor, has just been awarded a 5 Star Green Star – Interiors v1.1 rating for its interior fit-out.  It adds to the 6 Star Green Star – Office Design v2 rating for the overall building in 2009, developed by Stockland, and the 5 Star Green Star – Office As Built v2 rating it earned in March this year.

Two prominent Melbourne commercial buildings being awarded a 6 Star Green Star – Office Design rating by the Green Building Council of Australia.

Cbus Property’s 700 Bourke Street has been awarded the Version 3 rating and has required the concerted, collaborative efforts of Cbus Property, Brookfield Multiplex Constructions and Woods Bagot.

171 Collins Street (pictured below), a joint venture between Charter Hall and Cbus Property has received the Version 2 rating and is Victoria’s first premium grade office building to receive the rating. The building, designed by architects Bates Smart already has tenants including BHP Billiton.

Romilly Madew said that, “Around Australia, governments are mandating Green Star for new schools, hospitals and large-scale developments because they know Green Star buildings are healthier, more productive and better long-term assets.

“Developers are driving higher green benchmarks with each new project they undertake.  Building owners are insisting on Green Star ratings for all new acquisitions because they are more efficient and cost-effective.

“Tenants are demanding Green Star to reinforce their brands, and attract and retain their most valuable employees.  And people are telling us they want to live in a Green Star community. “

Source: Architecture and Design

Image:  Green Building